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Effect of Shock Waves on the Growth of Aspergillus niger Conidia: Evaluation of Germination and Preliminary Study on Gene Expression

Authors :
Daniel Larrañaga-Ordaz
Miguel A. Martínez-Maldonado
Blanca E. Millán-Chiu
Francisco Fernández
Eduardo Castaño-Tostado
Miguel Ángel Gómez-Lim
Achim M. Loske
Source :
Journal of Fungi, Vol 8, Iss 11, p 1117 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Shock waves, as used in medicine, can induce cell permeabilization, genetically transforming filamentous fungi; however, little is known on the interaction of shock waves with the cell wall. Because of this, the selection of parameters has been empirical. We studied the influence of shock waves on the germination of Aspergillus niger, to understand their effect on the modulation of four genes related to the growth of conidia. Parameters were varied in the range reported in protocols for genetic transformation. Vials containing conidia in suspension were exposed to either 50, 100 or 200 single-pulse or tandem shock waves, with different peak pressures (approximately 42, 66 and 83 MPa). In the tandem mode, three delays were tested. To equalize the total energy, the number of tandem “events” was halved compared to the number of single-pulse shock waves. Our results demonstrate that shock waves do not generate severe cellular effects on the viability and germination of A. niger conidia. Nevertheless, increase in the aggressiveness of the treatment induced a modification in four tested genes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant changes to the cell wall of the conidia. Under optimized conditions, shock waves could be used for several biotechnological applications, surpassing conventional techniques.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2309608X
Volume :
8
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Fungi
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.87df219c9019404695b70f42a2509ce2
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8111117