Morphological and molecular characterization of four Pleurotus spp. and evaluation of their antioxidant properties

Abstract

Four oyster mushroom species are cultivated in North Bengal for its good taste, texture and therapeutic values. Morphological and anatomical characteristics of four Pleurotus species (P. djamor, P. sajorcaju, P. ostreatus and P floridanus) have been elucidated. Malt extract agar showed highest mycelial growth rate followed by the potato dextrose agar, while water agar was lowest. All four Pleurotus species were identified using 18S rDNA sequencing as P. djamor (KT768094), P. sajor-caju (KT818506), P. ostreatus (KT768095) and P floridanus (KT826605) and subsequently all the sequence have been deposited in the NCBI Genbank. 18S r DNA sequence alignments of P. djamor, P. sajor-caju, P. ostreatus and P floridanus with other ex-type isolates have been presented and the conserved regions of the gene have been demonstrated in different colours. Phylogenetic placement of all four Pleurotus species with other 41 ex-type strains obtained from NCBI GenBank was compared using UPGMA method in MEGA11 software and result has been presented. Antioxidant activity such as DPPH scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power activity as well as flavonoid activity of four Pleurotus species were also evaluated. P. djamor and P. ostreatus showed higher DPPH scavenging activity in comparison to other two species. Highest amount of reducing power activity was observed in P. djamor and lowest in P. ostreatus and P. sajor-caju. P. djamor and P. floridanus also showed higher flavonoid content in comparison to other two species.

Integrated Approaches for Management of Phytophthora Blight in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

“…The disease becomes severe under continuous rainy days affecting all the aerial parts of plants and covers entire field within few days. Main root is also affected, diseased plants can easily be pulled out and produce shrivelled seeds and gives blighted appearance (Roy et al, 2007). The application of fungicide is found to be effective for management of the diseases, but their use is being discouraged because it is hazardous to the environment.…”