The fungal cell wall (FCW) is a dynamic structure responsible for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and is essential for modulating the interaction of the fungus with its environment. It is composed of proteins, lipids, pigments and polysaccharides, including chitin. Chitin synthesis is catalyzed by chitin synthases (CS), and up to eight CS-encoding genes can be found in Aspergillus species. This review discusses in detail the chitin synthesis and regulation in Aspergillus species, and how manipulation of chitin synthesis pathways can modulate fungal growth, enzyme production, virulence and susceptibility to antifungal agents. More specifically, the metabolic steps involved in chitin biosynthesis are described with an emphasis on how the initiation of chitin biosynthesis remains unknown. A description of the classification, localization and transport of CS was also made. Chitin biosynthesis is shown to underlie a complex regulatory network, with extensive cross-talks existing between the different signaling pathways. Furthermore, pathways and recently identified regulators of chitin biosynthesis during the caspofungin paradoxical effect (CPE) are described. The effect of a chitin on the mammalian immune system is also discussed. Lastly, interference with chitin biosynthesis may also be beneficial for biotechnological applications. Even after more than 30 years of research, chitin biosynthesis remains a topic of current interest in mycology.

Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intra- and interspecies communication and are critical in host–fungus interaction, modulating inflammation and immune responses. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of Aspergillus fumigatus EVs over innate leukocytes. A. fumigatus EVs induced a partial proinflammatory response by macrophages, characterized by increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, and increased gene expression of induced nitric oxide synthase and adhesion molecules. EVs induce neither NETosis in human neutrophils nor cytokine secretion by peripheral mononuclear cells. However, prior inoculation of A. fumigatus EVs in Galleria mellonella larvae resulted in increased survival after the fungal challenge. Taken together, these findings show that A. fumigatus EVs play a role in protection against fungal infection, although they induce a partial pro-inflammatory response.

This article has as its objective a comparative study of the electrochemical treatment of slurry generated in landfills carried out with Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA) (Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2) and Boron Doped Diamond (BDD). From the capacity planning and control (PCC), the central composite rotated design (DCCR) was obtained, whose independent variables in the electrolysis process were current density, time and electrolyte concentration. The removal of Total Organic Carbon (dependent variable) was 15.40% with current density 158 mA cm-², electrolysis time 15 minutes and 0.2 mol L-1 of the NaCl electrolyte using DSA. With the BDD, at the optimum point at 82 mA cm-², 18.5 minutes and 0.19 mol L-1, 77% removal of the organic load and discoloration of approximately 40% Ultraviolet-Visible.

Water contamination from pesticides in industrial and agricultural effluents has significant environmental impacts, necessitating the development of effective treatment technologies. This article discusses the use of a combined electrochemical, photochemical, and sonochemical approach to degrade pesticides like ametryn, diuron, and hexazinone. A bench-scale electrochemical flow reactor with a Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 anode, Ti counter-electrode, and NaCl as the electrolyte was utilized. Process optimization involved varying electric current and NaCl concentration, with free chlorine species (FCS) production as the response variable. Optimal conditions were achieved at 0.88 mol L–1 [NaCl] and 0.78 A current. This photoassisted sonoelectrochemical process effectively degraded the pesticides, achieving total organic carbon (TOC) removal rates of 91, 94, and 77% for ametryn, diuron, and hexazinone, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed near-total removal for ametryn and diuron and 80.7% for hexazinone. Kinetic studies indicated that the degradation followed a pseudo-first-order model, with rate constants increasing approximately 1.8-2.5 times under the combined process compared to the electrochemical method. Additionally, this triple-combined approach enhanced current efficiency, reduced energy use, and improved overall system energy efficiency, proving to be an effective and promising treatment method.