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[Polygalacturonase activity of microscopic fungi of different trophic groups]

I N Kurchenko

    Mikrobiolohichnyi Zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1993)
    |June 1, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Endophytic fungi, particularly Mycelia sterilia and Penicillium funiculosum, exhibit higher polygalacturonase activity. This suggests their significant role in plant tissue hydrolysis and mineral cycling in wetland ecosystems.

    Area of Science:

    • Mycology
    • Plant Pathology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Polygalacturonase enzymes are crucial for pectin degradation in plant tissues.
    • Fungal endophytes are increasingly recognized for their ecological roles.
    • Understanding fungal enzyme activity is vital for agricultural and ecological applications.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare polygalacturonase activity across different fungal strains (Fusarium poae, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium funiculosum, Mycelia sterilia).
    • To investigate the relationship between fungal traits and enzyme activity.
    • To assess the ecological significance of endophytic fungi in wetland ecosystems.

    Main Methods:

    • Cultivation of 85 fungal strains (saprophytic, pathogenic, endophytic).
    • Assay of polygalacturonase activity.
    • Isolation of fungi from Ukrainian bog plants.

    Main Results:

    • Mycelia sterilia and Penicillium funiculosum strains generally showed higher polygalacturonase activity than Alternaria alternata and Fusarium poae.
    • Endophytic strains of F. poae, P. funiculosum, and M. sterilia exhibited high activity.
    • No significant correlation was found between enzyme activity and fungal growth rate, cultivation time, or host plant characteristics.

    Conclusions:

    • Endophytic fungi, especially M. sterilia and P. funiculosum, play a key role in pectic substance hydrolysis.
    • These fungi likely contribute to mineral element cycling in wetland environments.
    • Polygalacturonase activity in endophytic fungi is a significant factor in plant-microbe interactions.

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