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Fungi and Water
Published in Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy, Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy
Feeding usually occurs through the mycelia. Fungi feed on dead and living materials of plants and animals for their growth. For the mode of nutrition, fungi are either saprophytes, parasites, or symbiotics (3–5). When they obtain their foods (energy) from nonliving organic substrates such as dead and decaying matters, in this case, they are called saprophytes. When they obtain their foods from living organic material by absorption of nutrients through their cell wall, they are named parasites. When they grow in association with other living organisms like plants or animals, they are called symbionts (3–5). Fungi are essentially aerobic organisms. Many fungi are also associated with trees symbiotically because they are linked with the tree roots, an association benefiting both the fungi and the trees. This particular type of association between fungi and the roots of plants is known as a mycorrhiza (2–3). Some fungi have very specific associations and will grow only with one kind of tree; for example, the bolete grows only under alders. Other fungi may be found in association with several different trees (2–4). Chanterelles, for example can be found linked with birch, pine, oak, and beech trees. Fungi together with bacteria are ecologically important decomposers for the process of decay (3). They are essential for nutrient recycling by transforming dead materials like dead plants or animals in the soil into a form of fertilizer. Without fungi and bacteria, the world would be very dirty and uninhabitable.
Organic Matter
Published in Michael J. Kennish, Ecology of Estuaries Physical and Chemical Aspects, 2019
The transfer of food energy from one trophic level to another is not 100% efficient. Energy flow through a trophic level is partitioned — part is stored as biomass and part lost via respiration as heat. Studies generally assume a 10 to 20% ecological assimilation efficiency (energy transfer between trophic levels). Approximately 80 to 90% of the energy assimilated at each level dissipates as heat; therefore, only 10 to 20% of the net production of a given trophic level can be utilized in the production of consumer biomass at the succeeding trophic level.67 Respiratory losses of energy progressively increase at higher trophic levels, where animals expend energy for the search for food, for reproduction, and for other life-sustaining processes. Although a portion of the energy converts into bodily growth of organisms at every trophic level, some energy is rejected as excreta, which along with dead organisms, enters the decomposer trophic level as detritus. Microorganisms, chiefly bacteria and fungi, break down these materials into simpler substances, absorb decomposition products, and release inorganic nutrient compounds that may be assimilated again by autotrophs if they are not lost from the system. Here, too, some energy is lost as heat through respiration, but the microorganisms represent an immediate food source for detritivores.
Macro and Micro Algal Impact on Marine Ecosystem
Published in Gokare A. Ravishankar, Ranga Rao Ambati, Handbook of Algal Technologies and Phytochemicals, 2019
Previously, the open ocean ecosystem was considered to be the most appropriate example of ecosystem functioning and was used as a standard for defining the concepts of food chain and food web. A typical illustration would be a pyramid with phytoplankton forming the base, two horizontal layers representing zooplankton and fishes upwards respectively and a shark or whale representing the tip of the pyramid. However, it has now been widely recognized that a larger number of trophic levels are present than hitherto suspected and that a large amount of primary production is directed as dead organic matter through the activities of decomposers before it becomes available for phagotrophs (Fenchel 1988).
Microbially-derived cocktail of carbohydrases as an anti-biofouling agents: a ‘green approach’
Published in Biofouling, 2022
Harmanpreet Kaur, Arashdeep Kaur, Sanjeev Kumar Soni, Praveen Rishi
Biofilms are a complex consortium of microorganisms embedded within a self-synthesized pool of exopolymeric substances (EPS) adhered to an abiotic or biotic surface (Jain et al. 2007; Costa et al. 2018). The EPS matrix which is one of the distinctive features of biofilms is composed of various biopolymers such as exopolysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. An array of regulatory and enzymatic activities can be found within the dynamic environment of the EPS matrix (Allison 2003; Flemming and Wuertz 2019). The biofilm matrix maintains structural integrity, provides mechanical stability, helps in nutrient acquisition, and shields the encased microorganisms against antimicrobials (Fux et al. 2005; Cos et al. 2010; Payne and Boles 2016; Karygianni et al. 2020). Although microorganisms are notorious for their harmful activities, they also offer certain beneficial and desirable facets, particularly in the fields of food and pharmaceuticals (Kalsoom et al. 2020). Microorganisms are decomposers of organic matter and hence, help in nutrient cycling (Shin et al. 2010). They are also beneficial in the agriculture sector with various products such as biofertilizers, biopesticides, and bioinsecticides being derived from microorganisms (Putter et al. 1981; Hoagland et al. 2007; Kalsoom et al. 2020). A variety of food products, amino acids, enzymes, food additives are obtained by microbial activity (Caplice and Fitzgerald 1999) and they have an admirable use in vaccine, antibiotics, and probiotics production, among other biomedical products (Kalsoom et al. 2020; Kapoor et al. 2020) as well as playing a role in bioremediation and waste-water treatment (Schmeisser et al. 2007).
Facts and ideas from anywhere
Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 2020
Decomposers: Waste-eating insects unlock nutrients for use by the ecosystem that would otherwise stagnate in dung, dead plants, and carrion. Dung beetles process parasite-breeding and grass-killing cattle dung in 23 months vs the 28 it would take without these insects.
Multistep approach to control microbial fouling of historic building materials by aerial phototrophs
Published in Biofouling, 2019
Paulina Nowicka-Krawczyk, Joanna Żelazna-Wieczorek, Anna Koziróg, Anna Otlewska, Katarzyna Rajkowska, Małgorzata Piotrowska, Beata Gutarowska, Bogumił Brycki
It is impossible to halt the gradual degradation and deterioration of man-made objects. Their surfaces degrade with the passing of time and under the influence of physical, chemical and biological factors, no matter what material they are made of. Microorganisms promote the deterioration of such materials as a result of their role in the environment (Junier and Joseph 2017). Some are decomposers of organic matter (Güsevell and Gessner 2009), while others are pioneer organisms producing organic matter from simple mineral components by photosynthesis (Graham et al. 2009). The latter are easily spread by wind throughout the terrestrial environments of all climatic zones and colonize substrata, creating visible ‘green’ coatings (Barberousse et al. 2007; Genitsaris et al. 2011). However, from an environmental perspective, the question arises whether colonization should be considered a problem. The answer depends on our social and cultural needs. In terms of history, evidence of the changes taking place over the centuries to buildings, memorials and monuments is extremely important. Phototrophic coatings not only decrease the aesthetic value, but also in many cases accelerate the rate of deterioration. Cyanobacteria and algae are able to grow into the substratum, causing mechanical deterioration, whilst changes in the volume of cells during water accumulation or secretion also cause microdamage to the substratum (Samad and Adhikary 2008; Grbić et al. 2010; Rajkowska et al. 2014). Some authors have questioned the direct contribution of phototrophs to the biodeterioration of historic objects, claiming that they are not the primary damaging factors (Ortega-Calvo et al. 1995; Gullota et al. 2018). However, they produce and secrete organic and inorganic compounds, which have been found to affect substrata and change their chemical composition (Cutler et al. 2013). Gaylarde and Morton (1999) highlight the deterioration abilities of cyanobacteria in tropical climate zones. Moreover, aerial phototrophs, being pioneers and primary producers, provide significant organic matter input, facilitating bacterial and fungal colonization, and thus allowing successive deterioration by heterotrophic microorganisms (Ortega-Calvo et al. 1995; May et al. 2011).