A B S T R A C T

The current study aimed to the production and partial purification of a cold-active lipase by some fungi isolated from the olive oil processing wastes in Al-Gabal Al-Gharby, Libya. 31 fungal species from 12 genera were isolated. F. solani was the most prevalent comprising 94% of total Fusarium and 28.7% of total fungi, 102 fungal isolates were tested for their lipolytic activity on lipase production agar medium at 10 and 20°C. The most active isolates were Alternaria (2 isolates), Fusarium, and Penicillium (1isolate for each one). Molecular identification of the most active four isolates was carried out by their sequencing (ITS). The four powerful fungal strains' production of cold-active lipase was maximized by optimizing some nutritional and environmental factors. F. solani AUMC 16063 was able to produce the maximum amount of lipase activity (46.66U/mL/min) with specific activity (202.8U/mg), utilizing ammonium sulphate as a nitrogen source after 8 days of incubation at pH 3.0 and 15°C. However, at same condition after 6 days when yeast extract was employed as a nitrogen source, the generated cold-active lipase displayed the highest specific activity of (1550U/mg) and lipase activity (36.74U/ml/min). This is the first study in which the production, partial purification, maximized and characterization of a cold-active lipase enzyme by Fusarium solani.

Keywords: cold active enzymes, Lipase, Fusarium solani, lipolytic activity, specific activity.

Abstract: This study aims to analyzing demographic data of patients, isolate and identify Candida species, which causes vaginal infections, and a study of its prevalence among pregnant women in Sorman city, Libya.210 specimens collected from patients admitted to the Maternity Care Center in the combined clinic. carried immediately to the Microbiology Laboratory in the National Cancer Institute, Subrata, Libya for direct microscopy, culturing, and characterization. Each participant was given an interview questionnaire and asked about their age, educational level, employment position, and history of recurrent vaginal yeast infection. Chronic diseases were also listed on the data collecting form. Identification of Candida species using Chrome agar: A total of 100 isolates have been recovered in this study, of which 72isolates were obtained as pure cultures on Chrome agar medium. According to their color on Chrome agar, these 72 colonies were categorized to 5 main species namely Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. Genotypic identification of Candida species in this investigation was validated by the ITS tree. Eight strains from this investigation were found in the Candida albicans clade, which had a high bootstrap value of 99 percent ML/99 percent MP. These were therefore identified as Candida albicans., Within the Candida glabrata clade, three isolates were grouped together, demonstrating a strong support value of 99% ML/99%MP. These strains were recognized as belonging to the C. glabrata species, while one isolate was recognized as belonging to the C. tropicalis species, with a high support value of 99% ML/99%MP.

 Keywords: VVC infections, candidemia patients, genotypic identification, and Candida albicans

Abstract: The current study was aimed for isolation, identification and preservation of mycobiota associated with the olive oil processing wastes (Fatura) collected from different cities in Al-Gabal Al-Gharby, Libya, screening the cold-active lipolytic activity of the isolated fungi and selection of the highest cold-active lipase producers. 31 fungal species belong to 12 genera were isolated from these samples with total CFUs of 29560. Fusarium was the most common genus at total CFUs of 9020 and comprising 30.51% from all fungi, followed by Aspergillus, that recorded 25.44% from all fungi. Penicillium was ranked third, nine different species were present. A total of 100% of samples were found to have CFUs of 5140 and 17.4% of all fungi. On lipase production agar medium at two temperatures, 10 and 20°C, 102 fungal isolates from 31 species were tested for their lipolytic activity. The majority of fungi could produce lipase activity at 20°C, where 98 out of 102 isolates the highest lipase producers was higher at 10°C (25) than at 20°C (16). The most active isolates were Alternaria, Fusarium, and Penicillium. Molecular identification of the most active four isolates was carried out by sequencing their internal transcribed spacer region (ITS).

 Keyword: Olive oil, cold active enzymes, Lipase, fungi, lipolytic activity, Fatura.

• Cereal and its products can be contaminated with fungi in the field, during drying, processing, transportation and subsequent storage, which may lead to secretion of mycotoxins under favourable condition. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of some fungi associated with four kinds of Libyan food products of different trademarks. Twenty four (24) samples of couscous, macaroni, wheat flour and rice regularly used for human consumption by Libyan family were collected from local markets in the city of Alzawia, west of Tripoli, Libya. The results reveal isolation of 113 isolates belonging to nine genera: Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Alternaria, Rhizopus, Mucor, Scopulariopsis and Cladosporum. Approximately 24 species were identified to belong to those isolated genera, several of which are known as main producer of mycotoxins especially A. flavus which are known to produce aflatoxins, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus carbonarious, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium verrucosum known to produce ochratoxin and Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium chlamydosporum known to produce fumonisins and trichothecenes. Certainly, the occurrence of such types of mycotoxins can pose a health threatening risk for the consumer of those food items. Presence of these fungi in food products could be due to lack of good agriculture and food manufacturing practices throughout the food chain.
• Key words: Couscous, macaroni, wheat flour, rice, fungi, Libya.

Abstract- Botryodiplodia sp. AUMC 9468 was isolated in pure culture from canker on Ficus benjamina, on side of Ibraheemia bank stream at Assiut governorate, Egypt. The analysis of growth condition suggested the trees were stressed induced by light, nutrient and medium factors. This report is the first for Botryodiplodia canker on F. benjamina in Egypt. The pathogenicity test were resulted on that the fungus was introduced with the trees, penetrated through bark wounds, and incubated under conditions stressful to the well-being of the tree.

Keywords- Canker,Ficus benjamina, Botryodiplodia.