A new azochalcone derivative (5) (E)-3-(4-(dimethylamino) phenyl) -1- (2-hydroxy -5- ((E) -o- tolyl diazenyl) phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one was synthesized through the reaction of diazotization and coupling of the aromatic amine 2- methyl aniline with the chalcone compound (E) -3- (4-(dimethylamino) phenyl) -1- (2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one in the presence of sodium nitrite And hydrochloric acid. A new azoflavone derivative (6) (E) -2- (4-(dimethyl amino) phenyl)-6-(o-tolyl diazenyl) -4H- chromen -4- one was also synthesized with high yield through the cyclization reaction of the compound azo chalcone (5) using iodine in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The chemical structures of the two new compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic methods (13C-NMR, 1HNMR, FT-IR). The biological activity of the two compounds (5 , 6) was investigated at two different concentrations (0.5 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml) on three fungal species (Penicillium expansum, Acremonium strictum and Aspergillus flavus) and compared with clotrimazole as a standard antifungal. These compounds showed good activity against the tested fungi, and were most effective on the fungal species Acremonium strictum.

Among infectious pathogens, fungal and fungal like organisms cause the remarkable social and economic impacts on ornamental farmers. Some freshwater ornamental fishes including the cardinal Carassius auratus, Green Terror Cichlids (Andinoacara rivulatus), the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), the Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) with typical signs of severe respiratory symptoms were prepared from a large commercial breeding centers ornamental fish shops in Tehran, Iran. The gill samples were taken and laboratory evaluations carried out. Accordingly, Culturing of fungal isolates, sequencing and molecular identification, pathogenicity as well as gross and microscopic evaluations were also carried out. Four isolated with NCBI-accession numbers of OL891804, OL912959, OL990026 and OL912961, respectivelyas Fungal sp., Penicillium sp., Fungal sp. and Candida sp. were reported and registered in Genebank. Eventually, the Ornamental fish diseases of Tehran ornamental fish centers where a few fish including the cardinal (C. auratus), Green Terror Cichlids (A. rivulatus), the guppy (P. reticulata) and the Koi (C. rubrofuscus), were suffering from gill disorders had been infected with Penicillium crustosum, Alternaria alternata, Filobasidium like organism, Candida zeylanoides, respectively.

Silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from the plant Quercus infector (Q. infector) were tested to evaluate its antifungal potential as a growth inhibitor against some fungi species named Penicillium digitatum (P. digtatium) and Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) isolated from foodstuffs in the local market of Al-Najaf Province/ Iraq. The results stated that the highest inhibition rate was observed for P. digitatum at 3 mM concentration (90.97±1.72%), while the inhibition percentages for 1 mM (83.29±1.05%) and 2 mM (85.44±1.23%), indicating a concentration-dependent trend. In regards to A. flavus, the findings showed that the highest inhibition percentages were observed at 3 mM concentration (89.36±0.57%), while for 1 mM (73.7±1.69%) and 2 mM (85.33±0.91%), showing a similar trend. The mean percentage inhibition across all fungi was highest at 1 mM (84.24%) compared to 2 mM (79.90%) and 3 mM (75.79%). These results emphasize the antifungal efficacy which increased with the concentration of silver nanoparticles, with P. digitatum showing higher sensitivity compared to A. flavus. The results also indicate that fungal species treated without nanoparticles showed significantly lower inhibition rates (76.29% and 77.77% for Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp., respectively, without nanosilver treatment). The silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Background & Aims: This study first evaluated the fungal contamination of tools and surfaces in wrestling and bodybuilding clubs in Hamedan province, western Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to May 2019 focusing on nine wrestling and bodybuilding clubs in different areas of Hamedan province. The sterile carpet method (10 × 10) was used for sampling from mats floor and wall, bath and WC, locker room and parquet surfaces, and environmental air. Common mediums and methods in mycology were employed to culture samples and detect grown fungi. Results: The most frequently isolated fungal genera were Rhizopus (24%), Penicillium (24%), Aspergillus flavus (23%), Aspergillus niger (19%), yeast (7%), Scopulariopsis (6%) Mucor, and Ulocladium (1%). Based on the results, no dermatophyte contamination was detected in any of the samples. The most contaminated surfaces (place of sampling) were wrestling mats (95.7%). The highest and lowest prevalence rates of fungal contamination in this study were found in Razan (87.5%) and Malayer (72.7%), respectively. Conclusion: According to our results, the most contaminated surfaces belonged to wrestling mats. Thus, we would suggest that common-sense hygiene measurements should be continued, including showering after every encounter, washing practice clothes daily, and disinfecting mats daily.

Verticillium wilt of stone fruit trees caused by Verticillium dahliae occurs worldwide and causes serious economic losses. Control of Verticillium is difficult and costly due to its wide host range and resistant soil-borne microsclerotia. Also, increased concerns about agrochemicals have encouraged the development of biocontrol strategies. In this study, we evaluated antagonistic fungi for biocontrol of V. dahliae in vitro and greenhouse. A total of 85 endophytic and rhizospheric fungal isolates of peach and other stone fruit trees were isolated in the west Azarbaijan province, Iran. The identified fungi included Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Clonostachys, Cryptococcus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. The potential control of the isolates was initially evaluated by a dual culture assay. Furthermore, the antagonistic activity of fungi metabolites on the germination of microsclerotia both in vitro and in the soil was evaluated. In total, Trichoderma asperellum AE66 showed the highest inhibitory activity (73.85%) and was selected for greenhouse experiments. In the greenhouse assay on peach, T. asperellum AE66 not only reduced the progress of Verticillium wilt but also its severity. Moreover, the plant growth was promoted. These findings suggest that biocontrol provides a potentially effective strategy for the management of Verticillium wilt.

Penicillium expansum is one of the most harmful post-harvest fungal pathogens. Aspergillus flavus is a saprotrophic fungal organism with broad distribution, producing mycotoxins that are toxic to humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of phenolic alcohol extract for the dry plants Oak (Quercus infectoria Oliv) and Bitter Melon (Citrullus colocynthis (L. ) Schrad). Three concentrations of phenolic alcohol extract of Oak and Bitter Melon (100, 200 and 300 mg/mL) have been prepared against two fungi, Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus flavus. The results showed that all three concentrations of phenolic extracts gave antifungal activity, and the percentage inhibition of diameter growth (PIDG) increased with increasing concentrations. The C. colocynthis extract gave the highest average of PIDG (38. 29%), followed by Q. infectoria with an average of PIDG (34. 13%) against P. expansum and A. flavus. The A. flavus fungus experienced more potent inhibition, with an average of PIDG (49. 05%), than P. expansum, with an average PIDG of (23. 37%). The results showed that the C. colocynthis extract gave the highest PIDG (70. 7±, 3. 90), followed by Q. infectoria with PIDG (31. 1±, 3. 335) at a concentration of (300 mg/mL) on P. expansum. While the results for phenolic extracts of C. colocynthis and Q. infectoria on A. flavus showed that the antifungal activity of C. colocynthis extract had the highest PIDG (72. 09±, 4. 10) followed by Q. infectoria with PIDG (62. 49±, 3. 63) at a concentration of (300 mg/mL). We concluded that the phenolic extracts of Q. infectoria galls and C. colocynthis fruit showed inhibitory activity against two toxin-producing fungi, P. expanisum and A. flavus.

Consumption of polythene is unavoidable in this era and it is increasing day by day. Polythene’s hazardous waste is adversely effecting environment. In fact any form of polythene is a nuisance to the environment because of strong resistance against degradation thus; they remain in nature for a very long time. Biodegradation is the only promising solution to overcome this problem.  Fungi, a group of saprophytic organisms are evolved to adapt for almost every environment, specially marine and freshwater source. This property drives fungi to grown on polythene even in adverse environment. So, present study was planned to compare biological degradation of low density polythene [LDPE] and biodegradable polythene by potential fungus to find out an eco-friendly and economic solution of polythene waste. Ten fungal strains were isolated from rotting polythene debris those are Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus nigricans, Chaetomium murorum, Memnoniella echinata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum, in which Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus showed greatest results in terms of degrading both Low density polythene and biodegradable polythene. These isolates also showed good enzymatic reaction and weight loss. SEM analysis of polythene surface was also in support of these findings.

In an attempt to assess the shrimp culture management in the south of Iran, we collected samples of the cultured shrimp in two farms during the year 1999, and examined them macroscopically and microscopically. We identified 16 species of fungus infecting the shrimps mostly in outer body layers and the gills and also detected haemolyphatic infection with the fungus in a few cases. In all cases, the Penicillium species was the most abundant fungus and the ponds showed a significant difference in the amount of fungal flora contaminating them (p<0.05). We found that the contaminating fungus species were all opportunistic, appearing as a result of stress occurred to the cultured shrimp, water muddiness, low dissolved oxygen concentration and putrefying food left unused at the bottom of the culture ponds. These were all considered to be related to the pond management.