Browsing by Subject "fungi"
Now showing items 1-5 of 5
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(2020)Microbial volatile organic compounds are emitted by diverse set of microbial organisms and they are known to cause health hazards when present in indoor air. Early detection of fungal contaminated buildings and species present is crucial to prevent health problems caused by fungal secondary metabolites. This thesis focuses on analysing emission profiles of different insulation materials and fungal cultures, which allows, in further studies, to develop efficient new ways to detect fungi from contaminated buildings. Studied insulation materials consisted of cellulose and glass wool, which were analysed in multiple different conditions. Humidity of atmosphere was varied between 0-10 microliters and temperature was varied between 30°C and 40°C. In fungal emission profile study 24 different cultures were analysed in two different atmospheres, ambient and micro- aerophilic, and in multiple different inoculums. Analysis for both insulation materials and fungal cultures was done using headspace solid phase microextraction Arrow -tool and headspace in tube extraction –tool together with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. One goal for this thesis was also test suitability of these methods for detection of fungal secondary metabolites. Comprehensive fungal emission profiles were successfully formed and new information from behaviour of insulation materials in different settings was found. In addition, new information about analysis methods and fungal behaviour in different atmospheres was found. Headspace solid phase microextraction Arrow with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry was found to be efficient, sensitive and timesaving method for indoor air study purposes. There were also many potential fungal culture specific biomarker compounds found for further study purposes.
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Multi-stakeholder perspective: The potential of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities (2021)Challenges of such as biodiversity loss and unsustainable food systems are interconnected. Forests and forest fungi have important roles in the safeguarding of biodiversity. This study aimed to provide insights on mushroom cultivation opportunities alongside forestry activities using environmental expert opinions, individual forest owners’ perceptions and attitudes of mushroom picking hobbyists. Environmental experts, individual forest owners, and mushroom picking hobbyists were selected as key stakeholder for investigating the viability of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities. The potential of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities was elicited within the theoretical framework of stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility, sustainable business, and insights from behavioral theories. The data was collected through qualitative interviews and a short survey. The analysis method for the data was thematic analysis. Six themes emerged from the data, showing practical implications that have important implications for the viability of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities, and touch upon environmental, economic, legal, social, educational and other practical aspects. Mushroom cultivation services could support and enhance forest biodiversity and offer additional income opportunities for forest owners. From a corporate social responsibility perspective selling mushroom cultivation services to forest owners represents an opportunity to support biodiversity of forests. Turning mushroom cultivation into sustainable business opportunity requires careful consideration of practical implications.
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Multi-stakeholder perspective: The potential of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities (2021)Challenges of such as biodiversity loss and unsustainable food systems are interconnected. Forests and forest fungi have important roles in the safeguarding of biodiversity. This study aimed to provide insights on mushroom cultivation opportunities alongside forestry activities using environmental expert opinions, individual forest owners’ perceptions and attitudes of mushroom picking hobbyists. Environmental experts, individual forest owners, and mushroom picking hobbyists were selected as key stakeholder for investigating the viability of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities. The potential of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities was elicited within the theoretical framework of stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility, sustainable business, and insights from behavioral theories. The data was collected through qualitative interviews and a short survey. The analysis method for the data was thematic analysis. Six themes emerged from the data, showing practical implications that have important implications for the viability of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities, and touch upon environmental, economic, legal, social, educational and other practical aspects. Mushroom cultivation services could support and enhance forest biodiversity and offer additional income opportunities for forest owners. From a corporate social responsibility perspective selling mushroom cultivation services to forest owners represents an opportunity to support biodiversity of forests. Turning mushroom cultivation into sustainable business opportunity requires careful consideration of practical implications.
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(2019)In nutrient poor boreal peatlands, a significant proportion of photosynthesis-derived carbon of mycorrhizal plants is allocated to their fungal symbionts in exchange for nutrients. The soil carbon cycle is intertwined and affected by inputs of e.g. nitrogen and sulfur, whose amounts both in the soil and atmosphere have increased since the Industrial Revolution. In addition, as stated in the recent Global Warming of 1.5 °C -report (IPCC 2018) global warming is likely to reach 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels before 2052. In this study, data from ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (ErMF) abundance, enzyme activities and the fungal taxa associated with them under increased warming and nutrient depositions were connected. This thesis is part of the Nitro-Erica -project of Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and it has been funded by the Academy of Finland (SA286731). Root fragments of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. and Andromeda polifolia L. were observed under a light microscope to determine the abundance of all root associated fungi, ErMF and dark septate endophytes (DSE). Fluorometric and photometric assays were used to study the ability of the fungi to degrade organic material and scavenge nutrients. Finally, direct PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to learn the dominant fungal taxa in the roots. A decrease in the abundance of ErMF and DSE was observed, indicating the possibility of a reduction in the carbon sink potential of peatlands through a decrease in the number of fungi. An increase in acid phosphatase activity under nitrogen deposition was observed in the two plants, which was expected as boreal peatlands are often nitrogen limited. In contrast, sulfur deposition suppressed the activity of all carbon acquiring enzymes which we concluded was likely to be the result of the sulfur inhibiting the growth of two parasitic fungi that greatly contributed to the overall high activity of carbon acquiring enzymes. More research is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fungal abundance, communities and their functioning in peatlands under the changing environmental conditions.
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(2019)In nutrient poor boreal peatlands, a significant proportion of photosynthesis-derived carbon of mycorrhizal plants is allocated to their fungal symbionts in exchange for nutrients. The soil carbon cycle is intertwined and affected by inputs of e.g. nitrogen and sulfur, whose amounts both in the soil and atmosphere have increased since the Industrial Revolution. In addition, as stated in the recent Global Warming of 1.5 °C -report (IPCC 2018) global warming is likely to reach 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels before 2052. In this study, data from ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (ErMF) abundance, enzyme activities and the fungal taxa associated with them under increased warming and nutrient depositions were connected. This thesis is part of the Nitro-Erica -project of Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and it has been funded by the Academy of Finland (SA286731). Root fragments of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. and Andromeda polifolia L. were observed under a light microscope to determine the abundance of all root associated fungi, ErMF and dark septate endophytes (DSE). Fluorometric and photometric assays were used to study the ability of the fungi to degrade organic material and scavenge nutrients. Finally, direct PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to learn the dominant fungal taxa in the roots. A decrease in the abundance of ErMF and DSE was observed, indicating the possibility of a reduction in the carbon sink potential of peatlands through a decrease in the number of fungi. An increase in acid phosphatase activity under nitrogen deposition was observed in the two plants, which was expected as boreal peatlands are often nitrogen limited. In contrast, sulfur deposition suppressed the activity of all carbon acquiring enzymes which we concluded was likely to be the result of the sulfur inhibiting the growth of two parasitic fungi that greatly contributed to the overall high activity of carbon acquiring enzymes. More research is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fungal abundance, communities and their functioning in peatlands under the changing environmental conditions.
Now showing items 1-5 of 5