The document discusses Pier Antonio Micheli, considered the father of mycology. Some key points: - Micheli was an Italian botanist in the late 1600s/early 1700s who discovered that fungi reproduce via spores, dispelling myths about their origins. - He specialized in microfungi and defined several important genera including Aspergillus and Botrytis. - Micheli's greatest contribution was proving fungi reproduce via spores by observing fungal fruit bodies growing from spores placed on melon slices.

1. Recent advances in Mycology
Dr. D.V. Hande, Associate Professor,
Department of Botany
Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati

2. Pier Antonio Micheli
(December 11, 1679 – January 1, 1737)

3. Father of Mycology
Pier Antonio Micheli
(December 11, 1679 – January 1, 1737)
• He was a Catholic priest and noted Italian
botanist,
• Professor of Botany in Pisa,
•Author of Nova plantarum genera iuxta
Tournefortii methodum disposita.
•He discovered the spores of mushrooms, was a
leading authority on cryptogams, and
•coined several important genera of microfungi
including Aspergillus and Botrytis.

4. •His greatest claim to fame was that he discovered the
existence of fungal spores, thus beginning the process of
dispelling some of the many myths about where fungi came
from.
• His proof was simple: having placed spores on slices of
melon, Micheli noted that the fungal fruit bodies that
appeared on the fruit were identical to the ones from which
he had taken the original spores.
• Micheli specialised in microfungi and is notable for having
defined several important genera including Aspergillus and
Botrytis.
A collector of plants and of mineral samples, Micheli
travelled widely in Europe. He died in Florence on 1st
January 1737 at the age of 57.
The standard abbreviation P. Micheli is used to indicate Pier
Antonio Micheli as the author when citing a botanical or
mycological name.

5. Positions and Awards
The plant genus Michelia (within the family
Magnoliaceae) established by Carl Linnaeus, is
named in honour of Pier Antonio Micheli.
Major Mycological Works
Nova plantarum genera (Florentiae) 1729), is an
illustrated work detailing some 1900 'plant' species,
the majority previously not having been described
scientifically. Of these about 900 were in fact fungi
or lichenised fungi. One of the larger fungi
described by Micheli was a stinkhorn which he
name Phallus vulgaris. Somehow that seems
entirely appropriate!

6. WHY SHOULD WE STUDY FUNGI ?
 The study of fungi is important for common man as well as for
expert.
 Fungal saprophytes, along with bacteria, decay the complex plant
material into simple form which is absorbed easily by the green
plant.
 Food, timber and textiles, the three basic need of human being are
rotted by the fungi, making their study essential for us.
 Thousands of the diseases of plants and animals are caused by
the parasitic fungi.
 Fungi are needed as essential items in brewing and baking
industry, cheese making, wine making, preparation of many acids
and in the production of antibiotics and drugs.
 Many fungi are used as a basic tools in scientific investigation.
 Uses of Neurospora in the genetical experiment, Gibberella in the
discovery of Gibberellins and yeasts are well known to young
students.

7. HISTORY OF MYCOLOGY
MYCOLOGY = study of fungi. (Mykes = Greek word for Mushrooms)
 The ancient Greeks and Romans, and surely their less-
civilized contemporaries, were fond of truffles, mushrooms
and puff-balls.
The edible members were called "mushrooms", while the
poisonous varieties were termed "toadstools".
The word "toadstool" is a distortion of the German word
"Todestuhl" which literally means "death chair." The deadly
effects of these toadstools made them sure poisons.
The Roman emperor Cladius Caesar was murdered by
his wife who mixed his food with Amanita phalloides.

8. Introduction of Fungi
Fungi are hetrotrophics, achlorophyllous, eukaryotes and spore-
bearing organisms.
They includes – Slime mold, downy mildew, powdery mildew.
mushrooms, rusts, smuts, puffballs, truffles, morels, yeasts, etc.
 Fungi can be divided into two basic morphological forms, yeasts
and hyphae
 Yeasts are unicellular fungi which reproduce asexually
by blastoconidia formation (budding) or fission
 Hyphae are multi-cellular fungi which reproduce asexually and/or
sexually

9. Classification of Fungi (Ainsworth 1973)
FUNGI
(Division)
EUMYCOTA
(Subdivision)
MYXOMYCOTA
• MASTIGOMYCOTINA
• ZYGOMYCOTINA
• ASCOMYCOTINA
• BASIDIOMYCOTINA
• DEUTEROMYCOTINA
MYXOMYCETES
(Class)

10. Pilobolus kleinii
Hat Thrower
Chaetocladium brefeldii

11. ZYGOMYCOTAPOSTHARVESTDISEASE

12. Choanephora cucurbitarum
Mortierella

13. Phycomyces
blakesleeanus

14. Basidiomycota
Club fungi
Amanita rubrovaginata
Gymnosporangium
juniperi-virginianae
Tilletia controversa

15. Polypores Jelly fungus Tremella
mesenterica

16. Basic structure of Club fungi
cap
Annulus
Gills
Stalk
Vulva

17. Cyathus sp.
Bird Nest Fungi

19. Peziza
Morchella

20. Alternaria Fusarium
Curvularia Drechslera
Deuteromycota

21. Pestalotia Cladosporium
Bispora Pithomyces

22. Best practises, intense learning ability and practising taxonomy is very
important in decision making of species level authentication.
Know Your Fungus- Road Map for
Identification
Characters: Growth, texture, colour, margins, soluble pigments, fruiting bodies/other structures
Following Keys/Literature Good observation/accurate micrometry/colonies &
understanding fungal characteristics are important in determining the species.
Slide preparation Microscopy/Micrometry Recording observations

23. Know Your Fungus- Road Map for
Identification
Observation
of fungal
colonies; look
for fruiting
bodies/
sclerotia/
conidiomata/
Ascomata,
etc.
Knowing the Fungal Groups:
Asco-Basidio-Zygo-Deutero
(Hyphomycete & Coelomycete)

24. Source: Mycologia, 98(3), 2006, pp. 384–392.
COLONY MORPHOTYPE

25. Colony Texture

27. • Multimillion dollar fermentation industry for bio
products based on fungi
• Mutation/strain selection/R-DNA techniques to
enhance product yield and improve process
economics
• Aspergillus oryzae, Trichoderma reesei, strains
powerful secretors of protein– Application in cloning
and heterologous expression of mammalian proteins
(Chymosin, Insulin)
MYCOTECHNOLOGY

28. Fermentation processes based on fungi to manufacture
valuable metabolic products and industrial enzymes
Examples:
Citric acid Aspergillus niger
Penicillin Penicillium chrysogenum
Gibberllic acid Fusarium moniliforme
Ergot alkaloids Claviceps paspali
‘Taka’ Diastase Aspergillus oryzae
Cellulase Trichoderma reesei
Alkaline protease Conidiobolus coronatus
MYCOTECHNOLOGY

29. What are endophytic
fungi?
• deBary (1866) stated that fungi
that colonize internal tissues of
plants
• Petrini (1866) included virulent
foliar pathogenic fungi and
mycorrhizal symbionts
• Carroll (1986) excluded
pathogenic and mycorrhizal
fungi
• Endophytic fungi belong to all
groups of fungi
• Each plant tissue will have at
least one fungus and many
plants contain spores of fungal
species

30. Elaboration of
endophytic fungi
• Mycelial threads spread between
cell walls but don’t enter them
• Enhances plant growth, have
ability to absorb nutrients while
starving off parasites, predation
from insects, herbivores and
other fungi
• These are not true saprophytes or
parasites but are in a class of
their own
• In contrast to mycorrhizal fungi
endophytes grow well under
laboratory conditions
• Many does not sporulate

31. Which plants have
endophytic fungi • Grasses – Clavicipitaceae,
Aremonium
• Conifers –
Ascomycetes/Basidiomycetes
• Palms – Pestalotiopsis,
Glomerella, Phomopsis,
Colletotricum etc.
• Mangroves - Hyphomycetes
• Tropical Angiosperms – Asco-
mycetes, Basidiomycetes,
Hyphomycetes

32.  Inhabit healthy plant tissues without any harm
 Major Component of Biodiversity
 Abundant source of secondary metabolites
 Potential source of plant metabolites
 Alkaloids Amines and Amides
Indole derivatives
Pyrrolizidines
Steroids
 Terpenoids Sesquiterpenes
Diterpenes
 Quinones
 Flavinoids
 Peptides
 Phenol and Phenolic acids
 Aliphatic compounds
Endophytic Fungi

33. Endophytic fungi
Anticancer Compounds
Taxol- World’s first billion dollar drug.
Highly functionalized diterpenoid- Isolated
from more than 29 medicinal plants having
endophytic fungi
In 1993- Taxomyces andreanae found in
Taxus brevifolia yielded taxol.
Antioxidant Compounds
Pestacin and isopestacin were isolated
from Pestalotiopsis microspora, the
endophyte of Terminalia morobensis.

34.  Pigment / color exudates
 Antimicrobial
 Anticancer
 Cytotoxicity
 Extracellular enzymes
 Immunosuppressive
 Immunomodulatory
 Herbicidal
 VOCs
 Unusual bioactive substances
 Biofuel / Mycodiesel
PDA
CzA
CMA
SDA
Selection of Creative Endophytic Fungi

35. .

36. Bioactive endophytes

37. ODONTOGLOSSUM
Endophytic Fungi

38. • Gliocladium roseum, endophyte of ulmo from
Patagonia rain forest.
• Described by Strobel’s group in 2008.
• Produces a series of hydrocarbons and
hydrocarbon derivatives (acetic acid esters of
straight-chained alkanes).
• Heptane, octane, benzene, annulene and some
branched hydrocarbons.
• Many of these are present in diesel fuel, thus
dubbed ‘Myco-diesel’.
• Numerous fatty acids and lipids were also
isolated from the extracts.
Mycodiesel-Producing Endophyte

39. Endophytic Fungi-Indian Scenario
About 17,527 angiosperm and 67 gymnosperm species
reported from India (Karthikeyan 2009; Annon 2009)
Out of this about 294 terrestrial plants including some
grasses belonging to 95 plant families so far explored in
India for associated endophytic fungal diversity.
About 37 plants of aquatic/marine habitats including
mangrove plants are screened for their endophytic
assemblages.
From marine habitat different groups of algae including
brown, green and red algae have been explored.

40. Endophytic Fungi-Indian Scenario
Many genera of endophytic fungi were found ubiquitous,
and not identified up to species level.
Explored for diversity analysis, antimicrobial, antioxidants,
anticancer, cytotoxicity, production of plant metabolites,
synthesis of nano-particles, volatiles, etc.
Inclination of researchers towards bio-prospecting of
endophytes in the last decade.
About 450 endophytic fungi are reported (Bhat 2010)

41. •Viability and virulence of
mycopesticide
•Effect of temperature and
humidity is critical
•Knowledge of the biology of
pathogen and host is essential
• Present in nearly all agricultural soils.
• Hartley (1921) first time isolated and used for biocontrol
agent.
• Antifungal abilities have been known since 1930.
• Used as biocontrol agent and as a plant growth promoter
• Self life of product made is the major crux.
• Taxonomy is in state -of -flux
Mycopesticide – Biofertilizer – Plant Growth
Promoter

42. •Eel worms or Nematode trapping fungi
•Mainly classified in Orbiliomycetes susceptible to
antagonism from other soil fungi.
•More than 70 genera and 160 species of fungi are
known to be associated with nematodes.
•These fungi have several characteristics incl. highly
specific parasitism to nematodes, not to plants and
higher animals.
•They grow at suitable pH and Temp. ranges on
natural and synthetic media.
•Nematophagous fungi have been classified into
three major classes: Endoparasitic, Predacious,
Opportunistic groups.
•Arthrobotrys and Duddingtonia are the most
important and intensively studied for their ecology
and pathophysiology.
Killer Fungi

43. Highlights……….
•Twenty isolates of nematophagous
fungi were obtained following
selective isolation technique.
•Identified two potential species,
Arthrobotrys conoides and
Arthrobotrys sp.
•CDA supported luxuriant vegetative
growth
•PCA supported abundant
sporulation
•Best growth (colony diam.)
recorded at 25 °C
•Best growth and sporulation found
at pH 5-6
Killer Fungi

44. CORDYCEPS
&
Their Pharmacological Importance

45. Complete fruit body of
fungus- Ophiocordyceps
sinensis
(Fertile region)
Ascomata contains asci &
ascospores
- Ideal for in vitro culture
Entire body of
caterpillar
(Host of O. sinensis)
(Non-fertile / vegetative
region)
Mouth of caterpillar
Plate I. Different Parts of Caterpillar Fungus O.
sinensis

46. Caterpillar Fungus
• Best known as Cordyceps sinensis.
• It is known in English as 'Yartsa Gunbu.
• Variously known as ‘yarsa gumba’- a Tibetan name
[winter=yarsa; summer=gumba],
• ‘gunba’ or ‘gonba’ or ‘gumba’.
• Indian mountainous region it is popular as ‘keera jhar’
(insect herb),
• Chinese it is famous as ‘Dong Chong Xia Cao’ (meaning
‘winter worm, summer plant’).
• This fungus parasitize insect larvae like arthropods and
other related fungi.

47. TAXONOMIC POSITION
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Sordariomycetes
Order: Hypocreales
Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae
Genus:
Ophiocordyceps
species sinensis
- Worldwide distribution
- Approximately 400
spp
- Described from Asia
Nepal, China, Japan,
Bhutan, Korea,
Vietnam, and
Thailand).
- Cordyceps species are
abundant and diverse
in humid temperate &
- Tropical forests.

48. (Source:StudiesinMycology57:5–59.2007).

49. 1
2
3
Plate II. Wild samples of caterpillar fungus. 1.Fruitbody 2.VS of fruit body of infected caterpillar
3. Microtome section (30 micron) of wild fruit body.

50. 1 4
3
2

51. Plate V. Magnified view of TS of fruit body of O. sinensis 1. Mycelial fragments and single cell
conidium attached with phialidic conidiogenous cell (from inside of body of infected caterpilar) 2.
Bundle of mycelia producing single celled chlamydospore like structure).
1 2

52. Pharmacological Potential
• Enhances physical stamina
• Effects on heart
• Controls low blood
pressure
• Strengthens heart beat
• Maintains kidney function
• Maintains lung function
• Maintains liver function
• Chronic pulmonary
diseases
• Asthama.
• Improves sexual function .
• Antibacterial properties
• Antioxidant properties
• Immuno modulating
effects
Phytochemical
constituents
Cordyceps
Wide range of nutritional
compounds
Crude fats, proteins, fibers,
Carbohydrates,
Cordycepin,
Cordycepin acid,
Polysaccharides and
Vitamins
Many sugars, (mono, di and
oligosaccharides,
Sterols, nucleosides and
macro and microelements.

53. Gliocephalotrichum Ellis & Hesseltine
G. Bulbilium Ellis & Hesseltine (type)
G. bacillisporum Decock & Huret,
G. cylindrosporum Wiley & Simmons,
G. longibrachium Decock & Eharue,
G. microchlamydosporum Wiley & Simmons,
G. ohiense Huang & Schmitt
G. simplex Ellis & Hesseltine
(DeCock et al. 2006).
Morphologically they are distinct with regard
to: Conidia size Setae no
G. simplex 6-9 x 1.3-2.6 µm 1-3
G. cylindrosporum 9-13 x 1.3-1.9 µm 2-5
Gliocephalotrichum: A case study
HypocrealesHolomorph-Leuconectria grandis-
Host: Terminalia chebula

54. •Food colorants with no adverse effect used for
centuries in Japan & China.
•Pigments of M. purpureus are authorized for food use
in Japan.
•Having immense medicinal value.
•Can be used as nitrite/nitrate substitute for
preservation of meat and fish.
•Easy to produce and handle by usual laboratory
techniques gathered over the years.
Monascus Pigment : World Wide Attraction

55. Extracted colorant: red & Yellow
Mukherjee & Singh. Process Biochemistry 46: 188–192, 2011
Novel Pigment:
9-(1-hydroxyhexyl)-3-(2-
hydroxypropyl)-6a-methyl-9,9a-
dihydrofuro[2,3-h]isoquinoline-
6,8(2H,6aH)-dione with the
molecular mass of m/z 375.
Monascus purpuresus - NFCCI 1758 (source of new pigment )

56. • Red rice: consists of large quantities of mono –, di – and
poly-unsaturated fatty acids (> 125 mg/g extract).
• The beneficial effects of unsaturated fatty acids on
cardiovascular health are widely recognized.
• Cholestin & Lovastatin: are recommended as a dietary
supplement for reducing serum cholesterol and
lipoproteins.
• Treatment of indigestion and diarrhoea, anthrax, bruised
muscles, hangovers, colic dyspepsia in children, post –
partum problems, for improving blood circulation and
for promoting the health of the spleen and stomach.
• Component of several herbal preparations for the
treatment of indigestion, diarrhoea, heart and
abdominal pains.
• Reduces skin tumor formation
Monascus Pigment : Applications

57. Fungal Conservation
Mineral Oil
Glycerol Stock
Distilled water stock
Lyophilization
Liquid Nitrogen
Preservation &
Maintenance of Fungal
Strains at NFCCI - 4000

58. Transfer of spore/mycelia
suspension into glass ampoules
containing skimmed milk
Quality check is done by slide
preparation and microscopy
Cultures are grown on PDA or
MEA plates
Pre-freezing of spore suspension
by placing glass ampoules in -70°C
deep freezer for 4-6 hrs
Transfer of frozen ampoules
to freeze dryer manifold
LYOPHILIZATION
NFCCI
Freeze drying under vacuum
Sealing of glass ampoules
after complete drying using
sealing torch
LYOPHILIZATION

59. Plugs were cut with flame sterilized cork
borer & aseptically transferred to cryovials
containing 10% glycerol labeled using
cryomarker
Quality check is done by slide preparation
and microscopy
Cultures are grown on PDA or MEA plates
Tightly capped cryovials were placed in
freeze containers filled with isopropanol
freeze containers are the kept in -70°C
deep freezer for 4 hrs It allows freezing
of samples with nearly 1°C/min cooling
Frozen cryovials were transferred to pre-
cooled (-70°C) cryoboxes and stored at -70°C
until the box is filled to max capacity
Labeled Cryoboxes are then transferred to
respective racks and placed in the Cryocan
filled with liquid nitrogen
-70°C Deep Freezer
Protocol for preservation of
fungal cultures in Liquid Nitrogen
(CRYOPRESERVATION)CRYOPRESERVATION

60. cryocane
cryocanister
1 cryocane holds 5 vials
25 cryocane in 1 canister
Total 6 canisters in 1 cryocan (IBP)
Total vial capacity 5x25x6= 750
Storage of
cryovials in
cryocane
Accessions are
preserved under
cryocane inventory

61. Storage of cultures in duplicate cryovials
Rack
1
Rack
Rack
4
Rack
3
Box1
Box2
Box3
Box13
Rack 1
Box4
Box5
Box6
Box14
Rack 2
Box7
Box8
Box9
Box15
Rack 3
Box10
Box1
1
Box12
Box16
Rack 4
Color of boxes indicates cultures with same accessions

62. Preparing culture plugs using flame sterilized cork borer
Quality check is done by slide preparation and
microscopy
Cultures are grown on PDA or MEA plates
Transfer of culture discs using inoculating needle into
Glycerol vials and Mineral oil tubes
Transfer of Glycerol vials into -70°C
GLYCEROL & MINERAL OIL
NFCCI
Storage of Mineral oil tubes at 4°C
GLYCEROL&MINERALOIL

63. 67.69%
23.46%
0.38%
6.92%
0.38% 1.15%
Ascom
ycota
Basidiom
ycotaGlom
erom
ycota
Zygom
ycota
Incertae
sedis
O
om
ycota-Chrom
ista
Ascomycota Basidiomycota Glomeromycota
Zygomycota Incertae sedis Oomycota-Chromista
NFCCI: Number of Genera- 260
Number of Classes- 18
(Source: ARI Pune)

64. 21st Century- golden era for biotechnology.
Mycology and fungal biotechnology are in
progressive state of development.
Awareness needed among younger generation of
mycologists and biotechnologists of immense
potential of fungi as source of novel bio-
molecules with medical and industrial
applications.
Mindset and expertise for competence and global
competitiveness are essential.
CONCLUSION

66. Society was established in
August 2010, and at the time of
writing has a membership of
250 from 62 different
countries.
ISFC lobbied in Nagoya, Japan
(October 2010) for change of
status of fungal conservation at
the Tenth Conference of the
Parties (COP 10) - the periodic
intergovernmental summit to
review progress with the Rio
Convention on Biological
Diversity.
Status of Fungal Diversity
and their Conservation in
Country is to be furnished in
‘NR5’ to CBD
By 31 March 2014

67. Mushrooms as a edible fungi
Fungi as food (yum!)
Chanterelles
Morels Bolete

68. FUNGI as MEDICINE
PENECILLIN :
- the most famous example of fungal medicine
Mushroom as Medicines :
Traditional Chinese medicine =
EXTENSIVE uses of mushrooms!
(Reishi mushrooms)

69. Fungi can also be pathogenic to humans!
These yeasts & fungi normally occur on our bodies but in certain
cases they become pathogenic. For immune-compromised people the
risk of fungal infections is SEVERE.
Nail Infection Ringworm Loss of hair, inflammation and
scaling caused by Trichophyton
or Microsporum
Athlete’s foot and Tinea mannum
Clinical symptoms vary from a fine scale to
a vesiculopustular eruption Itching is
frequently present