The diversity and ecological roles of Penicillium in intertidal zones

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 19;9(1):13540. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49966-5.

Abstract

Members of the genus Penicillium are commonly isolated from various terrestrial and marine environments, and play an important ecological role as a decomposer. To gain insight into the ecological role of Penicillium in intertidal zones, we investigated the Penicillium diversity and community structure using a culture-dependent technique and a culture independent metagenomic approach using ITS (ITS-NGS) and partial β-tubulin (BenA-NGS) as targets. The obtained isolates were tested for halotolerance, enzyme activity, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation. A total of 96 Penicillium species were identified from the investigated intertidal zones. Although the BenA-NGS method was efficient for detecting Penicillium, some species were only detected using conventional isolation and/or the ITS-NGS method. The Penicillium community displayed a significant degree of variation relative to season (summer and winter) and seaside (western and southern coast). Many Penicillium species isolated in this study exhibited cellulase and protease activity, and/or degradation of PAHs. These findings support the important role of Penicillium in the intertidal zone for nutrient recycling and pollutant degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Classification / methods
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • Enzyme Activation / physiology
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry
  • Penicillium / genetics*
  • Penicillium / isolation & purification*
  • Penicillium / metabolism*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods
  • Tidal Waves

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons