Ricerc@Sapienza

A mycological survey from Monti della Tolfa, a volcanic region of central Italy that originated during the Early
Pleistocene and remained isolated from themainland for at least one million years, shows that a thermophilous
shrubland dominated by Arbutus unedo preserves fungal species typically associated with conifers. Pinaceae are
currently absent from the study area. Palynological data from the same region show a decline of Abies and Picea
around 70 ka BP and their complete disappearance during the Holocene. Pinus disappeared during the postglacial.

The metabolic efficiency of different microbial groups in carbon source uses and single species storage efficiency is poorly characterized and not adequately represented in most biogeochemical models. It it is proposed here a simple approach for an estimation of the metabolic quotient of fungal isolates. The method is based on the values of substrate use (respiration) and growth (biomass production) obtainable for single fungal isolates in vitro using the Phenotype MicroArray™ system to test the metabolic performance of fungi on different substrates.

The study of the soil microbial community represents an important step in better understanding the environmental context. Therefore, biological characterisation and physicochemical integration are keys when defining contaminated sites. Fungi play a fundamental role in the soil, by providing and supporting ecological services for ecosystems and human wellbeing. In this research, 52 soil fungal taxa were isolated from in situ pilot reactors installed to a contaminated site in Czech Republic with a high concentration of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH).

Degradation threats affect soils and ecosystems, providing fundamental services for humans and living organisms. Contamination represents a major soil threat and can impair several soil functions, such as biomass production, storage, filtration and transformation of nutrients and water, and biodiversity pool (1). Despite in a smaller measure than in the past, agriculture is one of the major drivers of soil contamination, contributing with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers added to improve crop yield.

Lipids occur in fungi as major constituents of the membrane systems and minor component in the cell wall; they can store energy in the lipid bodies and, in some cases, they can act as intra-extracellular signals. Fungi contain a various set of lipids, including fatty acids, oxylipins, sphingolipids, phospholipids, glycolipids, and sterols. Current studies in lipids suggest their additional role in cell signalling; for instance, host-pathogen exchange lipid signals at the interface during their interaction.

Pesticides can help reduce yield losses caused by pests, pathogens, and weeds, but their overuse causes serious environmental pollution. They are persistent in the environment and are biomagnified through the food chain, becoming a serious health hazard for humankind. Bioremediation, where microbes are used to degrade pesticides in situ, is a useful technology. This review summarizes data on the fungi involved in the biodegradation of chemical pesticides and their application in soil and water bioremediation. Indications for future studies in this field are given.