Frontiers in fungal biology最新文献

{"title":"Transcriptomic insights into common defense mechanisms of <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>, <i>Agaricus bisporus</i>, and <i>Lentinula edodes</i> against <i>Pseudomonas tolaasii</i>-induced browning.","authors":"Min-Seo Jung, Ha-Young Pyeon, Youn-Jin Park, Myoung-Jun Jang","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1737784","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1737784","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated gene expression patterns associated with the browning of mushroom fruiting bodies caused by <i>Pseudomonas tolaasii</i> infection. To address this, <i>Pleurotus ostreatus, Agaricus bisporus</i>, and <i>Lentinula edodes</i> were inoculated with <i>P. tolaasii</i>, and morphological changes were examined, followed by transcriptome analysis to identify common and differentially expressed genes across the three species. Hydrophobin and glycoside hydrolase family 13 genes, associated with α-glucan metabolism and cell wall-related processes, were commonly downregulated, whereas laccase- and histidine kinase-related genes involved in melanin biosynthesis were significantly upregulated (log2 fold change ≥ 2, p ≤ 0.05). Notably, laccase induction represented a conserved transcriptional response to <i>P. tolaasii</i> infection, although the magnitude of induction varied among species. These findings provide molecular evidence linking mushroom browning to the transcriptional activation of defense-related genes and highlight laccase as a key, yet species-dependent, component of the response to <i>P. tolaasii</i> infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1737784"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12997099/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147488651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A <i>Blastomycosis dermatitis</i> with only skin manifestations: a case report.","authors":"Zhuren Ruan, Zhijian Yao, Yuanyuan Chen, Cunwei Cao, Gao Wei, Xianghui Li","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1687338","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1687338","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Infections caused by <i>Blastomyces dermatitidis</i> can usually affect nearly every organ in the body, including the lungs, skin, bones, and genitourinary system.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We present a case of a 33-year-old Chinese male who developed <i>Blastomyces dermatitidis</i> infection with solely skin involvement one year after returning from the United States.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The patient initially presented with verrucous plaques on his face and occipital region, which were misdiagnosed as common wart. Comprehensive blood tests, including assessments of complete blood count, liver function, kidney function, T lymphocyte subset count, G-test (1,3-β-D-glucan test), GM-test (Galactomannan test), and <i>Cryptococcus</i> test (<i>Cryptococcal</i> capsular polysaccharide antigen test), all returned normal results. Fungal culture and molecular sequencing confirmed the organism's identity as <i>Blastomyces dermatitidis</i>. The patient was treated with Itraconazole, and the verrucous plaques resolved without recurrence of facial rashes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights the importance of considering <i>Blastomyces dermatitidis</i> infection in patients with a history of residence in endemic regions and unexplained skin lesions, even without respiratory symptoms or other systemic involvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1687338"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12979444/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147470378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of fungal community structure and co-occurrence networks across vegetation types in volcanic lava habitats.","authors":"Jiahui Cheng, Lihong Xie, Mingyue Jiang, Jiaxin Xue, Hongjie Cao, Yulin Guo, Fan Yang, Qingyang Huang","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1760883","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1760883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The eruption of Wudalianchi Volcano directly damaged the soil and vegetation, forcing succession to restart from bare land. It influenced subsequent vegetation succession. This study utilizes the Wudalianchi volcanic lava plateaus as a model, employing high-throughput sequencing to unravel the drivers of soil fungal diversity across a vegetation gradient: moss (M), herb (H), shrub (S), broadleaf forest (B), and mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forest (C). This study found that <i>Ascomycota</i> (43.39%-71.54%) and <i>Basidiomycota</i> (5.36%-53.21%) were the dominant phyla. <i>Ascomycota</i> peaked in the C community, whereas <i>Basidiomycota</i> was most abundant in the M community. At the genus level, <i>Cortinarius</i>, <i>Mortierella</i>, and <i>Scleroderma</i> dominated in the B, H, and M communities, respectively. For fungal communities, Shannon and Chao indices followed the order: S > H > C > M > B. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated the greatest complexity and connectivity in the S community, which had the most nodes, links, and the highest average degree. Fungal functional guilds shifted across the gradient: symbiotrophic fungi prevailed in the B and M, while saprotrophic fungi dominated H and C communities. Soil physicochemical properties were the primary determinants of fungal community structure and function. In conclusion, significant differences exist in the structure, diversity, and function of soil fungal communities across different vegetation types in volcanic lava habitats. Soil TP, pH, and N/P ratio were identified as key drivers, with shrub vegetation playing a critical role in fostering complex fungal networks and functional balance. This study underscores the key regulatory role of specific soil properties and vegetation succession in shaping fungal communities, providing a framework for understanding microbial assembly in extreme environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1760883"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12971694/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The chitinolytic enzymes from the entomopathogenic fungus <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i>: GH family distribution, domain architecture, and protein regulation.","authors":"Qusai Al Abdallah, Kholoud M Alananbeh, Nehaya Al-Karablieh, Salah-Eddin Araj","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1732437","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1732437","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> is an entomopathogenic fungus that is widely used in the biological control of agricultural pests. During host infection, <i>M. anisopliae</i> secretes an arsenal of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases and chitinases that allow for cuticle penetration and host colonization. The degradation of chitin into N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) monomers is carried out by chitinases and β-N-acetylglucosaminidases (NAGases). Chitin-degrading enzymes of <i>M. anisopliae</i> have been the subject of extensive research; however, these studies have not been consolidated into a comprehensive review. This review highlights our current knowledge of the chitinolytic enzymes from <i>M. anisopliae</i>, emphasizing the classification of these enzymes based on their mode of action and domain architecture. <i>M. anisopliae</i> possesses a set of 21 chitinases that are classified into four glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18) subgroups: A, B, C, and D. In addition, <i>M. anisopliae</i> produces two GH20 and two GH3 NAGases. The domain architectures of chitinases and NAGases from <i>M. anisopliae</i> are highly similar to those found in <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. but exhibit some evolutionary distinctions. Moreover, this review integrates insights from other entomopathogenic fungi to identify molecular mechanisms underlying the expression of chitinase and NAGase genes in <i>M. anisopliae</i>. The regulatory mechanisms underlying gene expression of chitinolytic enzymes are complex and involve several regulators and metabolic pathways. Finally, chitinases have the potential to be used as biopesticides against fungal pathogens and pest infestations.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1732437"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12954445/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First genome report of <i>Oudemansiella apalosarca</i> and comparative transcriptomics on fruiting body formation under different light conditions.","authors":"Qi Gao, Sai Wei, Yangyang Fan, Dong Yan, Yu Liu, Shuang Song, Hongxin Hu, Gawesha Yasapala, K L Wasantha Kumara, Shouxian Wang","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1763719","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1763719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Oudemansiella apalosarca</i>, a newly identified edible fungus, exhibits industrial cultivation potential because of its short production cycle and lack of a casing layer. However, the absence of genomic data has hampered its development and varietal enhancement. This study reports the first genome sequence of <i>O. apalosarca</i>, comprising 53.13 Mb across 27 scaffolds and 14,650 protein-coding genes, with superior scaffold N50 and BUSCO values compared to those of other <i>Oudemansiella</i> genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of single-copy orthologous proteins from 25 fungal genomes revealed close relations to <i>O. raphanipes</i> and <i>Mucidula mucidula</i>, with significant protein collinearity within the Physalacriaceae family. Cultivation in complete darkness yielded pure white, small-cap, and long-stipe fruiting bodies, indicating industrial advantages. Differential transcriptome analysis of the cap and stipe under varying light conditions identified key genes and pathways regulating phenotypic changes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) assessment and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed significant negative regulation of DNA replication pathway genes in the cap, with the downregulation of 10 cell cycle and mismatch repair genes. Genes related to cell wall formation and carbon metabolism were upregulated, thus promoting stipe elongation. The tyrosine metabolism pathway influenced cap coloration, with tyrosinase identified as a multicopy gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse evolutionary origins. Key tyrosinase-related genes A6_A10477 and A6_A09603 were overexpressed in the light, revealing their role in melanin formation. In summary, this study provides genomic resources for <i>O. apalosarca</i> breeding improvement and elucidates light-induced regulatory mechanisms in its development, thereby providing theoretical and technical support for industrial applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1763719"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12929423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147313116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabarcoding insights into the fungal diversity and biotechnological potential of mangrove sediments in Ecuador's Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute.","authors":"Xavier Álvarez-Montero, Ingrid Mercado-Reyes, Wilian Castillo-Chamba, Geovanny Gordillo, Efrén Santos-Ordóñez, Diego Portalanza, Angélica Saeteros-Hernández","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1710970","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1710970","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mangrove ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots and vital carbon sinks, yet their fungal communities-key drivers of nutrient cycling and ecosystem resilience-remain largely unexplored in the Neotropics. This is particularly true for Ecuador's protected reserves, where no molecular census of sediment fungi exists. To address this gap, we conducted the first metabarcoding survey of the fungal microbiome in the sediments of the Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute (REMC), a critical mangrove habitat under increasing anthropogenic pressure. This is the first molecular study to characterize fungal communities in the mangrove sediments of the Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute (REMC) in the neotropical context of Ecuador, using metabarcoding. The fungal community was dominated by Ascomycota (68%) and Basidiomycota (30%), with minor contributions from Mortierellomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Mucoromycota (<0.1%), and 2.10% unclassified at the phylum level. The most diverse sample (2005L2-69) had a Shannon index of 2.166. Rarefaction curves indicated that additional sampling could reveal more fungal diversity. Fungal assemblages were similar across samples, with minor variations linked to environmental factors. Predominant classes included Dothideomycetes, Agaricomycetes, and Eurotiomycetes. At the genus level, <i>Ascochyta</i> (27%), <i>Antrodia</i> (24%), and <i>Talaromyces</i> (17%) were the most abundant. The presence of genera such as <i>Talaromyces</i> and <i>Penicillium</i> highlights their biotechnological potential, like antibacterial properties. At the same time, the abundance of <i>Ascochyta</i>, a phytopathogen, suggests potential stress or disease susceptibility in this area of REMC. This research provides an essential preliminary overview of the mycobiome in this underexplored region and identifies principal taxa of ecological and biotechnological importance. Furthermore, this investigation, conducted in a specific area of REMC sediments, employs metabarcoding analysis utilizing ITS86-ITS4 primers in Neotropical mangroves, thereby contributing to the global understanding of mangrove microbiomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1710970"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12929412/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147313183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Native oleaginous yeasts <i>Rhodotorula mucilaginosa</i> and <i>Solicoccozyma gelidoterrea</i>: a sustainable biotechnological alternative for lipid production with potential application in diets for farmed fish.","authors":"Paola Díaz-Navarrete, Luis Marileo, Hugo Madrid, Wladimir Mardones, David Correa Galeote, Nicolle Parra, Sebastián Dehnhardt-Amengual, Patricio Dantagnan","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1664434","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1664434","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction: &lt;/strong&gt;The rapid global expansion of aquaculture has intensified the demand for sustainable and alternative lipid sources for fish feed formulations, driving interest in microbial platforms with specialized metabolic capabilities. Among these, oleaginous yeasts have emerged as promising candidates due to their ability to accumulate substantial intracellular lipid reserves and to modulate fatty acid composition in response to environmental and nutritional cues.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;In this study, the lipid production potential and physiological responses of two native yeast strains isolated from volcanic soils of southern Chile were investigated. The strains were identified by ITS sequencing as &lt;i&gt;Solicoccozyma gelidoterrea&lt;/i&gt; (7C) and &lt;i&gt;Rhodotorula mucilaginosa&lt;/i&gt; (Rho 6S). Growth kinetics, substrate utilization, and lipid accumulation were systematically evaluated under different carbon sources, carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratios, and temperature regimes (7-25 °C). Response surface methodology was applied to determine the combined effects of nutritional and thermal factors on biomass production and lipid yield, while fatty acid composition was analyzed to elucidate lipid remodeling strategies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results and discussion: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;R. mucilaginosa&lt;/i&gt; exhibited pronounced metabolic versatility, characterized by higher maximum specific growth rates on alternative carbon sources such as xylose, sucrose, and raffinose. Under optimal conditions (25 °C and C/N 20), this strain achieved a lipid content of 30% and a biomass concentration of 2.54 g/L. In contrast, &lt;i&gt;S. gelidoterrea&lt;/i&gt; displayed a distinct physiological profile associated with cold adaptation, reaching optimal lipid accumulation at 7 °C and C/N 20, with 26.6% lipid content and 2.11 g/L biomass. Increasing the C/N ratio to 90 significantly constrained lipid accumulation in both strains, highlighting the central role of nitrogen availability in regulating yeast lipid metabolism. Fatty acid profiling revealed clear species-specific lipid remodeling patterns: &lt;i&gt;R. mucilaginosa&lt;/i&gt; produced a nutritionally favorable lipid profile enriched in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, reflected by high MUFA/SAFA and PUFA/SAFA ratios. In contrast, &lt;i&gt;S. gelidoterrea&lt;/i&gt; exhibited a distinctive lipid profile dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, under nitrogen limited and low temperature conditions, and demonstrated the capacity to synthesize long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids under stress conditions, suggesting the activation of adaptive and stress responsive lipid metabolic pathways.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study provides the first evidence of lipid accumulation and fatty acid composition in &lt;i&gt;S. gelidoterrea&lt;/i&gt; and puts into evidence contrasting lipid metabolic strategies among native oleaginous yeasts. Collectively, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of fungal lipid physiology a","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1664434"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12929513/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147313261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The adenylate cyclase-mediated signaling pathway required for regulating siderophore and toxin biosynthesis and pathogenicity in <i>Alternaria alternata</i>.","authors":"Kai-Chu Huang, Hsin-Yu Lu, Celine Yen Ling Choo, Pei-Ching Wu, Kuang-Ren Chung","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1766476","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1766476","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The role of cyclic AMP-protein kinase A (PKA) signaling in siderophore-mediated iron uptake and its connection to virulence remains poorly understood in phytopathogenic fungi. Genetic studies demonstrate that the <i>A. alternata</i> adenylate cyclase (AaAC) regulates diverse cellular processes, including growth, conidiation, iron homeostasis, autophagy, siderophore biosynthesis, and toxin production. Deletion of <i>AaAC</i> results in impaired siderophore secretion, disrupted expression of iron-responsive genes, and a complete loss of ACT toxin biosynthesis, leading to markedly reduced virulence. Transcriptomic analysis under iron-deficient conditions reveals that <i>AaAC</i> deletion induces widespread changes in gene expression, notably the downregulation of genes involved in siderophore biosynthesis and ACT toxin production. These findings indicate that AaAC regulates metabolic pathways essential for fungal survival and pathogenicity. Mutants lacking the GTP-binding protein alpha subunit (Gα), the PKA catalytic subunit, or its regulatory subunit also reduce siderophore production. The findings suggest that environmental cues influencing siderophore biosynthesis are transmitted via a signaling cascade from Gα to AaAC and then to PKA. Additionally, AaAC negatively affects autophagy under nutrient-rich conditions. Gene ontology analysis reveals upregulation of autophagy-related genes, suggesting that AaAC may contribute to cellular energy preservation and physiological stability. These results indicate that AaAC is a key integrator of environmental signals, vital for maintaining iron homeostasis, controlling toxin biosynthesis, and driving virulence in <i>A. alternata</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1766476"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12916706/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147272965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complete genome of <i>Penicillium herquei</i> HGN12.1C isolated from <i>Dysosma difformis</i> in Vietnam.","authors":"Duong Huy Nguyen, Nhung Thi Doan, Ngoc Bich Pham","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1695025","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2026.1695025","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"7 ","pages":"1695025"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12907825/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Divergent volatile metabolomes and flavor attributes in rice fermented by <i>Aspergillus oryzae</i> and <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>.","authors":"Colin O McCarthy, Dasol Choi, Alissa A Nolden, Eric A Decker, Jae-Hyuk Yu, John G Gibbons","doi":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1666687","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ffunb.2025.1666687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The generally recognized as safe (GRAS) fungus <i>Aspergillus oryzae</i> has been used for millennia in the production of traditional Asian fermented foods and beverages. Domestication has led to genomic and phenotypic adaptations that distinguish <i>A. oryzae</i> from its wild relative, <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>. While differences between these species have been partially characterized, their comparative production of volatile compounds during food fermentation remains poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated alpha-amylase activity, aflatoxin production, taste attributes using an electronic tongue, and volatile profiles using dynamic headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analyses were conducted during rice fermentation using the food-grade strain <i>A. oryzae</i> RIB40 and two wild <i>A. flavus</i> strains, NPK13tox and AflaGuard.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>A. oryzae</i> RIB40 exhibited significantly higher alpha-amylase activity during rice fermentation, and aflatoxin production was detected only in <i>A. flavus</i> NPK13tox. Sensory analysis revealed that rice fermented by <i>A. oryzae</i> RIB40 had significantly lower astringency, aftertaste, and bitterness, along with significantly higher richness (defined as umami aftertaste). Volatile profiling showed that <i>A. oryzae</i> RIB40 produced a greater number and higher concentrations of volatile compounds relative to rice fermented by A. flavus strains. Many of these volatiles, including 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 3-octen-2-one, 2-methyl-butanal, and 3-methyl-butanal, are associated with pleasant sensory attributes and have been previously linked to <i>A. oryzae</i>-fermented foods.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings suggest that the volatilome of <i>A. oryzae</i> RIB40 has been shaped by domestication to produce a more desirable sensory profile. This profile is enriched in alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and heterocyclic compounds that contribute fruity, umami, and malty notes, highlighting the role of domestication in optimizing sensory outcomes during food fermentation.</p>","PeriodicalId":73084,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in fungal biology","volume":"6 ","pages":"1666687"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12886354/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146167633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}