The rate and efficiency of decolorization of dyes like Blue CA, Black B133, and Corazol Violet SR were tested to evaluate white rot fungal strains. Trametes hirsute and Pleurotus florida showed the greatest extent of decolorization on nutrient salt media. Maximum decolorization of 200 mg/l of Blue 133 was obtained by 4 days old incubated Pleurotus florida followed by Trametes hirsuta after 6 days. An attempt was made to improve the decolorization activity of both organisms with different concentrations of glucose 1 and 2% (w/v). The decolorization activity may be due to the laccase enzyme of white rot fungi. The production of this enzyme was estimated using solid state fermentation with rice bran as a substrate. It was found that P. florida exhibited 0.175 U/ml of laccase activity followed 0.126U/ml by T. hirsute, respectively. Decolourization was found to be more effective with P. florida in the presence of 2% (w/v) glucose. Crude extract containing the laccase enzyme was isolated and confirmed by SDS PAGE.

Background and Objective: Although biochemically similar, two laccase enzymes isolated from basidiomycetes (Trametes sp. ) showed differences in their affinity to two types of phenolic compounds, interacting stronger with diphenols (catechol and caffeic acid), compared to interactions with benzenetriols (pyrogallol and gallic acid). Catalytic efficiency of Trametes pubescens laccase was detected 4-5 times higher than determined for commercial laccase (Trametes versicolor). In this study, the interactions of the two immobilized enzymes with di and triphenols were examined by various electrochemical techniques. Material and Methods: Following electrochemical techniques: cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry were used in this study. Experiments were carried out in varying substrate concentrations. Activity and sensitivity of the two alternative laccase – based biosensors were compared using DPV and chronoamperometry. Results and Conclusion: Constant potential amperometric measurements indicated that the biosensor produced with Trametes pubescens laccase was much more active than biosensor based on laccase from Trametes versicolor when interacting with caffeic and gallic acids. The phenolic content of three different herbal extracts was evaluated with the developed laccase biosensors and results were found to be similar to those from chromatographic analysis used as a reference method. Therefore, biosensors can be used for rapid testing of phenolic content in real samples.

Background and objectives: Trametes species have been used for centuries in traditional medicine of Asian countries. Recently, some of the bioactive compound have been isolated and evaluated for therapeutic purposes from these species. The aim of this study was to report the isolation and structure elucidation of major sterols from fruiting bodies of Trametes gibbosa. Volatile compounds and antioxidant activities of the different mushroom extracts of mushroom were also examined. Methods: The fruiting bodies of T. gibbosa were extracted with n-hexane, methanol, and hot water, respectively. For isolation of sterols, the n-hexane extract was subjected to column chromatography and fractionated by step gradient of n-hexane: ethyl acetate. The volatile oil was prepared by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. For evaluation of the antioxidant activity, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays were used. Moreover, the phenolic and carbohydrate contents were assessed using spectrophotometry methods. Results: The column chromatography of the n-hexane extract led to the isolation of three sterols. These compounds were identified for the first time in T. gibbosa as follows: ergosta-5, 7, 22-trien-3β,-ol (ergosterol),5, 8-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3-ol,5, 9-epidioxy-8, 14-epoxy-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3-ol. The most abundant volatile compounds were identified as aldehydes (29. 01%), fatty acids (21. 2%) and alcohols (12. 07%). Based on antioxidant results, methanol and hot water extracts showed the highest activities in DPPH (EC50=588. 56±, 36. 37 μ, g/mL) and FRAP (432±, 6. 6 mmol Fe2+/g DW) methods, respectively. Conclusion: Trametes gibbosa is a valuable source of mycochemicals such as sterols, carbohydrate and phenolics. Further investigations are required for evaluation of the therapeutic potentials of the isolated compounds.

Obesity is the common clinical sign in hirsutism which can cause metabolic disturbances like dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hypertension. To investigate relationships of overweight and obesity with hormonal and metabolic parameters in suspected hirsute women, in a cross-sectional study, 184 suspected hirsute women were selected in a reproductive endocrinology outpatient clinic in north of Tehran from February 1997 to May 1999. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and serum levels of lipids, hormones and glucose were determined. Overweight and overall obesity (OO-body mass index: BMI >=25 kg/m^2) and android obesity (AO-waist to hip ratio: WHR>0.85) were calculated. Hirsutism score of OO and AO women was higher than that of nonobese women (NO, P<0.001). OO women had significantly lower levels of serum LH, estradiol, HDL and higher levels of triglyceride (TG), LDL and LDL/HDL ratio than nonobese women (P<0.05). In addition, the mean BMI, LH/FSH ratio and serum levels of testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHEAS), insulin, and TG of AO women were higher (P<0.05) and their glucose/insulin ratio were lower than nonandroid obese women (NAO: WHR<= 0.85; P<0.03). Multiple regression analysis of the data showed that WHR correlated most significantly with serum cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels; serum androstenedione with LDL/HDL ratio and serum glucose; and less significantly serum LH with serum insulin levels (P<0.02). Metabolic disturbances in these women are mostly due to obesity (especially android obesity), and high serum androstenedione levels.