Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 11(4): 1-15, 2017; Article no.JABB.30971 ISSN: 2394-1081 SCIENCEDOMAIN international www.sciencedomain.org Morphological and Ecological Characterization of Xylotrophic Fungi in Mangrove Forest Regions of Bangladesh K. Das1 and F. M. Aminuzzaman1* 1Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author KD wrote the protocol, carried out research and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author FMA designed and supervised the study and identified the xylotrophic fungi. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/JABB/2017/30971 Editor(s): (1) Laura Pastorino, Laboratory of Nanobioscience and Medical Informatic, Department Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Italy. Reviewers: (1) Blagoy Angelov Uzunov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria. (2) Debendra Nath Roy, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore, Bangladesh. (3) Girish Gogoi, Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam, India. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sciencedomain.org/review-history/17991 Received 12th December 2016 Accepted 14th February 2017 Original Research Article th Published 28 February 2017 ABSTRACT Sundarban (Mangrove), the largest tidal halophytic forest in the world lies a little south to the Tropic of Cancer between the latitudes 21°30'N and 22°30'N, and longitudes 89°00'E and 89°55'E. This forest is the greatest source of diverse xylotrophic fungi. In a survey program 20 species of xylotrophic fungi belongs to 13 genera were identified under seven families such as Polyporaceae, Ganodermataceae, Hymenochaetaceae, Fomitopsidaceae, Xylariaceae, Steccherinaceae and Gloeophyllaceae. The predominant genera were Ganoderma, Trametes and Inonotus. The maximum frequency (75%) was recorded for Daedaleopsis confragosa and 50% for Trametes elegans, Trametes conchifer, Polyporus sanguineus, Ganoderma curtisii and Irpex lacteus. The maximum density was 31.82% for Pycnoporus sanguineus which was found on the Sundari (Heritiera fomes) tree. This is the first detailed investigation on Xylotrophic fungi in mangrove forest regions of Bangladesh. Keywords: Mangrove; xylotrophic fungi; polypore; morphology; ecology. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Das and Aminuzzaman; JABB, 11(4): 1-15, 2017; Article no.JABB.30971 1. INTRODUCTION diseases and also as an aphrodisiac and tonic [6]. A mushroom is a spore bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground soil or Nowadays, they attract attention because of their on its food source. Mushrooms have been bioactive compounds, beneficial effects and existing on earth even long time before man possible use in the prevention or treatment of appeared on earth as it is evident from the fossil diseases, being classified as functional foods records of the lower cretaceous period. and sources of nutraceuticals [7,8]. Some of the Mushroom is a general term used mainly for the mushrooms bioactive properties are related with fruiting body of the macro fungi (Ascomycota and their antioxidant activity and antioxidant Basidiomycota) and represents only a short compounds. In fact, antioxidants are in constant reproductive stage in their life cycle [1]. activity in living organisms, being required to be Mushrooms are typically found in waste lands, in sufficient amounts to neutralize the toxic where generally absence of artificial activities of effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), any human-being such as, forest lands, field reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive lands or, on the moist branches of trees. sulphur species (RSS) that are produced Throughout this investigation, we tried to continuously [9,10]. These edible fungi are more represent the existing biodiversity of mushroom important for a tropical/subtropical country like in this forest region. Besides, they are valued for Bangladesh, which has a climate, most food and medicinal properties by people. congenial for the natural growth of such fungi. However, the food value and acceptance of Mangrove forest is one of the diversified forest in these edible fungi by the scientific and civilized the world which is very much favourable for the world have not been recognized. These edible growth and development of fleshy and fungi are more important for a tropical/ xylotrophic fungi. subtropical country like Bangladesh, which has a climate, most congenial for the natural growth of The present research investigation was such fungi [2]. Wild edible fungi were being conducted by a systematic survey in the collected and consumed by people for thousands mangrove forest regions of Bangladesh that of years. Many mushrooms have been used as covers maximum part of mangrove forest regions food and medicines. So they contribute towards with the objective of identifying the mushrooms diet, income and human health. Some up to the genus and species level. Man has lived mushrooms have been important source of in a hunter-gatherer society for most of the time revenue for rural communities in India and other since their origin and has depended entirely on developing countries [3]. biodiversity for their sustenance. The world demand of mushrooms is high rocketing just for Mushrooms are well known for their nutritional as the fulfillment of our nutritional deficiency. It is well as therapeutic values worldwide. Interest in our duty to identify and also differentiate the mushrooms has peaked because immunity and beneficial and harmful mushrooms from the cellular protection are important issues for health mangrove forest regions of Bangladesh. conscious consumers and for those individuals who are dealing with serious health issues. Wild 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS mushrooms provide a significant source of nutrients that can be used as food or in 2.1 Collection Site traditional medicine, particularly for local people in South East Asia, India, Europe, and Africa. In Mangrove (Sundarbans) forest regions of addition, there is an exponentially increasing Bangladesh is located between the latitudes interest in research into nutritional and medicinal 21°30'N and 22°30'N, and longitudes 89°00'E properties of wild mushrooms, as compared to and 89°55'E belongs to Bagerhat, Satkhira and limited cultivated mushroom strains [4]. The Khulna districts. The collection sites were literature shows a body of information on mangrove natural forests, residential areas, collection, medicinal properties and nutritional roadside and nearby villages of Mongla, Rampal, composition of wild mushrooms from many Sarankhola and Shamnagar. countries [5]. These are invariably high protein rich and have been considered as potential 2.2 Experimental Site source of proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Indigenous peoples are utilizing The analytical experiments were conducted in mushroom for the treatment of different type of the Laboratory of the Department of Plant 2 Das and Aminuzzaman; JABB, 11(4): 1-15, 2017; Article no.JABB.30971 Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University population following standard protocol [11]. (SAU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Furthermore, the spotted and fleshy mushrooms were minutely inspected, collected and brought 2.3 Sampling Procedure to the laboratory for detailed inspection. A pre-designed collection procedure and data 2.5 Morphological Observation during analysis procedure was applied to collect Collection information on biodiversity, distribution, habitat and morphology of mushrooms from the above mentioned regions of Bangladesh. The data for the identification of mushrooms were recorded after collection on the following 2.4 Collection of Mushrooms parameters, such as locality, habitat, type of soil, forest type, size of the fructification, basidiocarps, A detailed survey was carried out in Bagerhat, umbo, cap color, cap surface, cap margin, cap Satkhira and Khulna districts under the diameter, scale, gill color, gill edges, gill mangrove forest regions of Bangladesh (Fig. 1) attachment, gill spacing, stipe length, width, from June to October, 2015 to determine the color, shape, type of veil, annuls (position) and morphological variability of mushroom’s volva [12]. Fig. 1. Survey areas of mangrove forest regions of Bangladesh 3 Das and Aminuzzaman; JABB, 11(4): 1-15, 2017; Article no.JABB.30971 2.6 Mushroom Processing 2.10 Habitat, Distribution and Diversity Analysis The photographs were taken in different angles and some morphological data, viz. size of The mushrooms were found in an association fructification, pileus diameter, stipe length and with various substrata. The surrounding their color were recorded after the collection of environment, temperature, soil pH, moisture mushrooms. Mushrooms were dried and condition and vegetation were recorded for processed following the predefined method [13]. the biodiversity of mushroom. The soil pH and moisture were measured by pH meter. 2.7 Drying On the other hand, the air temperature was measured by thermometer during the collection. Collected samples were cleaned and dried by Collected samples were wrapped with polybag using electrical air flow drier controlling the1000 and brought into the laboratory for further study. voltage, which can easily remove