Metal nanoparticles used as antifungals have increased the occurrence of fungal–metal interactions. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how these interactions cause genomic and physiological changes, which can produce fungal superbugs. Despite interest in these interactions, there is limited understanding of resistance mechanisms in most fungi studied until now. We highlight the current knowledge of fungal homeostasis of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and silver to comprehensively examine associated mechanisms of resistance. Such mechanisms have been widely studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but limited reports exist in filamentous fungi, though they are frequently the subject of nanoparticle biosynthesis and targets of antifungal metals. In most cases, microarray analyses uncovered resistance mechanisms as a response to metal exposure. In yeast, metal resistance is mainly due to the down-regulation of metal ion importers, utilization of metallothionein and metallothionein-like structures, and ion sequestration to the vacuole. In contrast, metal resistance in filamentous fungi heavily relies upon cellular ion export. However, there are instances of resistance that utilized vacuole sequestration, ion metallothionein, and chelator binding, deleting a metal ion importer, and ion storage in hyphal cell walls. In general, resistance to zinc, copper, iron, and manganese is extensively reported in yeast and partially known in filamentous fungi; and silver resistance lacks comprehensive understanding in both.

Solid waste from anaerobic digestion of litter from the commercial production of broiler chickens has limited use as fertilizer. Its disposal is a major problem for digester operators who are seeking alternative use for anaerobic digester solids, also referred to as solid waste (SW). The use of SW as substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus strain MBFBL400 was investigated. Lignocellulolytic enzymes activity, substrate utilization, and mushroom yield were evaluated in ten different substrate combinations (SCs) containing varying amounts of solid waste, wheat straw, and millet. Nutritional content of mushrooms produced on the different substrates was also determined. Substrates containing 70–80% wheat straw, 10–20% SW, and 10–20% millet were found to produce the highest mushroom yield (874.8–958.3 g/kg). Loss of organic matter in all SCs tested varied from 45.8% to 56.2%, which had positive correlation with the biological efficiency. Laccase, peroxidase, and carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activities were higher before fruiting, whereas xylanase showed higher activities after mushroom fruiting. SW increased the nutritional content in mushrooms harvested, and the combination of wheat straw and SW with millet significantly improved mushroom yield. Our findings demonstrated the possibility of utilizing anaerobic digester solids in mushroom cultivation. The application of SW as such could improve the financial gains in the overall economy of anaerobic digester plants.

Trametes versicolor and Flammulina velutipes, after submerged cultivation, with intermittent exposure to ultraviolet light (UV), were studied for Total Phenolic content (TP) and Total Proteins (TPR) contents and antioxidant properties against free radicals. The TP and TPR were determined by a spectrophotometric method and Lowry’s assay, respectively. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was used to quantify polyphenols. Different in vitro assays determined the antioxidant activities of the extracts. Mycelia extract from F. velutipes after 14 days and filtrate from T. versicolor after 21 days of incubation gave the highest TP 59.60 ± 0.14 and 50.03 ± 0.66 mg GAE/g d.w., respectively. Mycelia extract from T. versicolor after 28 days of incubation had the highest TPR (183.53 ± 2.84 mg BSAE/g d.w.). The LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that p-hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acids are the most abundant. Trametes versicolor filtrate after 14 days and F. velutipes filtrate after 21 days (71.29 ± 0.54% and 73.5 ± 1.81, respectively) had the highest scavenging activity in SOA. Correlation analysis indicated that all extracts’ antioxidant (AO) potential strongly correlated with TP (R² = 0.83–1.0). The data confirmed that stress factors such as UV exposure could stimulate the production of secondary metabolites and natural AOs, especially phenolic acids in test fungi.

The diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel was studied. Molecular phylogenetic relationships within the family, and genus Lycoperdon in particular, were inferred using original ITS rDNA sequences of 58 samples belonging to 25 species from Israel and six other countries, together with 66 sequences stored in the GenBank database. The current molecular phylogenetic study recovered the family Lycoperdaceae as a monophyletic group, which was supported in both maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The clades corresponding to the genera Apioperdon, Bovista, Calvatia, Disciseda, and Lycoperdon were revealed. The taxonomic structure of the named genera was partially resolved. Within the genus Lycoperdon, some species received significant statistical support; however, their relationships, as well as the problem of the genus monophyly, mostly remained questionable. As a result of a thorough literature survey, extensive sample collection, and studies of the material stored in the Herbarium of the Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa (HAI, Israel), fifteen species representing five genera were found in the territory of Israel. Six species, namely Apioperdon pyriforme, Bovista aestivalis, Calvatia candida, Lycoperdon decipiens, L. niveum, and L. perlatum, are new additions to the diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions, ecology, geography, and critical notes, together with light microscopy photos and SEM micrographs, are provided. In-depth discussion on some taxonomically challenging species is presented.