Effect of Different Incubation Temperatures,Times, and Colored Lights on Fungal Biomass and Black Pigment (Melanin) Production in Exophiala crusticola

Authors
Leila Hosseinpour 1
Mahdi Zareei 2
Zeinab Borjian Boroujeni 1
Razieh Yaghoubi 1
Seyed Jamal Hashemi 1
1 Department of Medical Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
2 Department of Health, Rescue and Treatment of IR Iran Police Force, Tehran, IR Iran
Abstract
Background: Adverse effects of synthetic pigments used in pharmaceutical andfoodindustriesand etc,have created a tendency toward the application of natural pigments. Environmental conditions are important factors in the growth and physiological function of different organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth rate of fungal biomass and production rate of black pigment (melanin) in fungus Exophialacrusticola under different incubation time, temperature, and light conditions to obtain an optimal condition for their production.
Materials and Methods: After obtaining an optimal incubation temperature, cultured fungus in potato dextrose agar and broth media was exposed to blue, yellow, white, red, green, and darknesslight conditions with 14-35 daysof incubation times. The averageamount of produceddry weight of fungal biomass and pigmentweremeasured, and the results were statistically analyzed with SPSS software ver.22.
Results:Suitable incubation temperature for fungal growthwas 22°C.The maximum average amount of fungal biomass (0.17 g)and pigment production (OD = 0.94) were after 35 days of incubation (p< .05) and under yellow light (0.135 g) (OD= 0.98), respectively (p< .05).
Conclusion: By optimization the incubation time, temperature, and light for the growth and production of pigmentinfungusE.crusticola, it is possible to produce a large amount of fungus and its related pigmentin order to be utilized in a variety of industrialand pharmaceutical use, and etc. Also, due to the fungus rapid growth in response to the yellow light, it is possible to use this feature in isolation and early diagnosis of this fungusin suspected pathogenesiscases.
Keywords
Fungal
Biomass
Light
Pigment
Exophiala
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