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5. Patterns of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Production by Three Species of Wood Decay Fungi

Author

Connolly, Jon H., Arnott, Howard J., and Jellison, Jody

Subjects
extracellular matrix, crystal studies, technology, industry, and agriculture, Calcium oxalate, wood decay, crystal corrosion, complex mixtures, microenvironment, Biology
Abstract

Wood decay experiments using red spruce wood resting on moist soil were conducted to discern temporal and spatial patterns of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal production by three species of fungi over the course of decay. All three species produced crystals of calcium oxalate dihydrate, but not monohydrate, in and on wood. Over the course of decay, the production of CaOx crystals was shown to be heterogeneous in both space and time. The relative quantity, morphology and longevity of CaOx crystals varied among species. Gloeophyllum (G.) trabeum produced substantial quantities of "free" crystals; Fomitopsis (F.) pinicola produced encrusting crystals; and Trichaptum (T.) abietinum produced adhering crystals and druses. Paramorphic corrosion of crystals was observed most frequently in the brown rot fungus G. trabeum and not at all in the white-rot fungus T. abietinum. Often associated with crystal precipitations was the production of crystal surface-obscuring extracellular matrix. All the species observed produced CaOx crystals more consistently in or on soil than in wood. The study of crystal production patterns and crystal morphologies could yield important information about the microenvironmental conditions in wood during biodegradation and the mechanisms by which wood decay fungi decompose lignocellulose.

Published
1996

13. THE EFFECT OF VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM EXTRACTS ON LYMPHOCYTE CELL PROLIFERATION: BLUEBERRIES AS MITOGENIC AGENTS.

Author

Kallas, Andrew, Connolly, Jon H., Loupin, Derek, Sole-Plasa, Christina, McArthur, Patrick D., and LaMarche, Paul H.

Subjects
*VACCINIUM, *BLUEBERRIES, *PLANT extracts, *LYMPHOCYTES, *CELL proliferation
Abstract

This study examined the mitogenic potential of crude lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) extracts using an in-vitro lymphocyte-cell proliferation assay. Plant lectins such as phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) have been shown to stimulate lymphocytes into mitogenesis (cell proliferation) and differentiation. Recent research on fruits, especially berries, has shown that plant products in some fruits exhibit a wide range of positive biological effects. Peripheral blood cultures were used to examine the potential mitogenic activity of blueberry extracts on lymphocytes. Extracts from the stems, fruits, and roots of lowbush blueberry were obtained and added to lymphocyte blood cultures at a 1/400 dilution. After 72 hours of incubation, the cells were harvested, mounted, and an analysis of mitotic index using the Poisson distribution was conducted. Mitotic figures revealed a significant mitogenic effect for blueberry fruit and blueberry roots. The mitotic index for cultures containing blueberry fruit extract were 5.6%, compared to 2.5% for the berry controls and 2.9% for root extracts compared to 1.7% for root controls. The results suggest that (an) active principle(s) produced in the Vaccinium angustifolium may have the capacity to increase adaptive immune cell populations. However, it is unclear whether the phytochemical agent(s) involved increase(s) of metaphase nuclei by simply augmenting the effects of PHA and/or whether the extract has properties that may sensitize T or B cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2005
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