Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Ecology of Thermophilic Fungi

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Fungi in Extreme Environments: Ecological Role and Biotechnological Significance

Abstract

One of the most fascinating properties of microorganisms is their ability to adapt to extreme environments. While several extremes of physical and chemical factors may drive particular communities, temperature plays a major influence on the functions of biomolecules and the maintenance of their biological structures. The maximum temperature limit for eukaryotes has been recorded as 62 °C, and only a few species of the kingdom Fungi are known to be truly thermophilic. Although distributed in taxonomically distinct lineages, thermophilic fungi constitute an ecologically well-defined group. In this review, we list 46 thermophilic fungal species belonging to 23 genera. There are representatives from the phyla Mucoromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Thermophilic fungi are common in habitats wherever organic matter decomposition takes place, leading to self-heating environments. Although thermophilic fungi have a great interest in biotechnology, knowledge of their ecology is still not clear. However, using the expertise from the applied perspective, one could perceive the roles of these fungi in nature. Here, we discuss the various concepts of thermophilic fungi and how they developed through time in the literature, their classification, biology, biogeography, putative ecological roles, and mechanisms for adaptations to thermophily.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
EUR 29.95
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
EUR 85.59
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
EUR 109.99
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
EUR 109.99
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams MW (1993) Enzymes and proteins from organisms that grow near and above 100 °C. Annu Rev Microbiol 47:627–658

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alam M, Gomes I, Mohiuddin G, Hoq MM (1994) Production and characterization of thermostable xylanases by Thermomyces lanuginosus and Thermoascus aurantiacus grown on lignocelluloses. Enzym Microb Technol 16:298–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Apinis AE (1953) Distribution, classification and biology of certain soil inhabiting fungi. Ph.D. Thesis. Nottingham University, United Kingdom

    Google Scholar 

  • Apinis AE (1963) Occurrence of thermophilous microfungi in certain alluvial soils near Nottingham. Nova Hedwigia 5:57–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Aquino AC, Jorge JA, Terenzi HF, Polizeli ML (2001) Thermostable glucose-tolerant glucoamylase produced by the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum. Folia Microbiol 46:11–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arifoǧlu N, Ögel ZB (2000) Avicel-adsorbable endoglucanase production by the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum type culture Torula thermophila. Enzym Microb Technol 27:560–569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arima K, Iwasaki S, Tamura G (1968) Milk clotting enzymes from microorganisms. V. Purification and crystallization of Mucor rennin from Mucor pusillus Lindt. Appl Microbiol 16:1727–1733

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Berka RM, Rey MW, Brown KM, Byun T, Klotz AV (1998) Molecular characterization and expression of a phytase gene from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus. Appl Environ Microbiol 64:4423–4427

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Berka RM, Grigoriev IV, Otillar R, Salamov A, Grimwood J, Reid I, Ishmael N, John T, Darmond C, Moisan MC, Henrissat B, Coutinho PM, Lombard V, Natvig DO, Lindquist E, Schmutz J, Lucas S, Harris P, Powlowski J, Bellemare A, Taylor D, Butler G, de Vries RP, Allijn IE, van den Brink J, Ushinsky S, Storms R, Powell AJ, Paulsen IT, Elbourne LD, Baker SE, Magnuson J, Laboissiere S, Clutterbuck AJ, Martinez D, Wogulis M, de Leon AL, Rey MW, Tsang A (2011) Comparative genomic analysis of the thermophilic biomass-degrading fungi Myceliophthora thermophila and Thielavia terrestris. Nat Biotechnol 29:922–929

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhat KM, Maheshwari R (1987) Sporotrichum thermophile: growth, cellulose degradation, and cellulase activity. Appl Environ Microbiol 53:2175–2182

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cantrell SA, Dianese JC, Fell J, Gunde-Cimerman N, Zalar P (2011) Unusual fungal niches. Mycologia 103:1161–1174

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chadha BS, Singh S, Vohra G, Saini HS (1997) Shake culture studies for the production of amylases by Thermomyces lanuginosus. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 44:181–185

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chadha BS, Gulati H, Minhas M, Saini HS, Singh N (2004) Phytase production by the thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor pusillus. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 20:105–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chefetz B, Chen Y, Hadar Y (1998) Purification and characterization of laccase from Chaetomium thermophilium and its role in humification. Appl Environ Microbiol 64:3175–3179

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cooney DG, Emerson R (1964) Thermophilic fungi: an account of their biology, activities and classification. W.H. Freeman, San Francisco, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Craveri R, Manachini PL, Craveri A (1964) Eumiceti termofili presenti nel suolo. Ann Microbiol Enzimol 14:13–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisan EV (1959) The isolation and identification of thermophilic fungi. M.Sc. thesis, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisan EV (1973) Current concepts of thermophilism and the thermophilic fungi. Mycologia 65:1171–1198

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • da Silva RR, Souto TB, de Oliveira TB, de Oliveira LC, Karcher D, Juliano MA, Juliano L, de Oliveira AH, Rodrigues A, Rosa JC, Cabral H (2016) Evaluation of the catalytic specificity, biochemical properties, and milk clotting abilities of an aspartic peptidase from Rhizomucor miehei. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 43:1059–1069

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • dos Santos E, Piovan T, Roberto IC, Milagres AM (2003) Kinetics of the solid state fermentation of sugarcane bagasse by Thermoascus aurantiacus for the production of xylanase. Biotechnol Lett 25:13–16

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dashtban M, Schraft H, Qin W (2009) Fungal bioconversion of lignocellulosic residues; opportunities and perspectives. Int J Biol Sci 5:578–595

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • De Gannes V, Eudoxie G, Hickey WJ (2013) Insights into fungal communities in composts revealed by 454-pyrosequencing: implications for human health and safety. Front Microbiol 4:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis DH (1980a) Thermophilic fungi isolated from some Antarctic and sub-Antarctic soils. Mycologia 72:1033–1036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis DH (1980b) Thermophilic fungi isolated from a heated aquatic habitat. Mycologia 72:1030–1033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans HC (1971) Thermophilous fungi of coal spoil tips. II Occurrence, distribution and temperature relationships. Trans Br Mycol Soc 57:255–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes I, Gomes J, Gomes DJ, Steiner W (2000) Simultaneous production of high activities of thermostable endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase by the wild thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 53:461–468

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes E, Souza AR, Orjuela GL, Silva R, Oliverira TB, Rodrigues A (2016) Applications and benefits of thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes for industrial biotechnology. In: Schmoll M, Dattenböck C (eds) Gene expression systems in fungi: advancements and applications. Springer, Cham, p 459–462

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Guimarães LHS, Terenzi HF, Jorge JA, Polizeli ML (2001) Thermostable conidial and mycelial alkaline phosphatases from the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 27:265–270

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta AK, Gautam SP (1993) Purification and properties of an extracellular α-glucosidase from thermophilic fungus Malbranchea sulfurea. J Gen Microbiol 139:963–967

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamelinck CN, van Hooijdonk G, Faaij APC (2005) Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass: techno-economic performance in short-, middle- and long-term. Biomass Bioenergy 28:384–410

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto H, Iwaasa T, Yokotsuka T (1972) Thermostable acid protease produced by Penicillium duponti K1014, a true thermophilic fungus newly isolated from compost. Appl Microbiol 24:986–992

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hawksworth D, Lücking R (2017) Fungal diversity revisited: 2.2 to 3.8 million species. Microbiol Spectr 5:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayashida S, Ohta K, Mo K (1988) Xylanase of Talaromyces byssochlamydoides. Methods Enzymol 160:675–678

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirvonen M, Papageorgiou AC (2003) Crystal structure of a family 45 endoglucanase from Melanocarpus albomyces mechanistic implications based on the free and cellobiose-bound forms. J Mol Biol 329:403–410

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hultman J, Vasara T, Partanen P, Kurola J, Kontro MH, Paulins L, Auvinen P, Romantschuk M (2010) Determination of fungal succession during municipal solid waste composting using a cloning-based analysis. J Appl Microbiol 108:472–487

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ifrij H, Ogel ZB (2002) Production of neutral and alkaline extracellular proteases by the thermophilic fungus, Scytalidium thermophilum, grown on microcrystalline cellulose. Biotechnol Lett 24:1107–1110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jatinder K, Chadha BS, Saini HS (2006) Optimization of culture conditions for production of cellulases and xylanases by Scytalidium thermophilum using response surface methodology. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 22:169–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen B, Nebelong P, Olsen J, Reeslev M (2002) Enzyme production in continuous cultivation by the thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus. Biotechnol Lett 24:41–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johri BN, Satyanarayana T, Olsen J (1999) Thermophilic moulds in biotechnology. Springer, Netherland

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalogeris E, Christakopoulos P, Kekos D, Macris BJ (1998) Studies on the solid state production of thermostable endoxylanases from Thermoascus aurantiacus, characterization of two isozymes. J Biotechnol 60:155–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kane BE, Mullins JT (1973) Thermophilic fungi in a municipal waste compost system. Mycologia 65:1087–1100

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karnaouri A, Topakas E, Antonopoulou I, Christakopoulos P (2014) Genomic insights into the fungal lignocellulolytic system of Myceliophthora thermophila. Front Microbiol 5:281

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Katapodis P, Vrsanská M, Kekos D, Nerinckx W, Biely P, Claeyssens M, Macris BJ, Christakopoulos P (2003) Biochemical and catalytic properties of an endoxylanase purified from the culture filtrate of Sporotrichum thermophile. Carbohydr Res 338:1881–1890

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur G, Kumar S, Satyanarayana T (2004) Production, characterization and application of a thermostable polygalacturonase of a thermophilic mold Sporotrichum thermophile Apinis. Bioresour Technol 94:239–243

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klamer M, Søchting U (1998) Fungi in a controlled compost system-with special emphasis on the thermophilic fungi. Acta Hortic 469:405–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolet M (2010) Quantitative analysis of cellulolytic activity of the genus Chaetomium. Bionano Front 3:304–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Korniłłowicz-Kowalska T, Kitowski I (2013) Aspergillus fumigatus and other thermophilic fungi in nests of wetland birds. Mycopathologia 175:43–56

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Satyanarayana T (2003) Purification and kinetics of a raw starch-hydrolyzing, thermostable, and neutral glucoamylase of the thermophilic mold Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae. Biotechnol Prog 19:936–944

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langarica-Fuentes A, Zafar U, Heyworth A, Brown T, Fox G, Robson GD (2014a) Fungal succession in an in-vessel composting system characterized using 454 pyrosequencing. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 88:296–308

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langarica-Fuentes A, Handley PS, Houlden A, Fox G, Robson GD (2014b) An investigation of the biodiversity of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungal species in composts using culture-based and molecular techniques. Fungal Ecol 11:132–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langarica-Fuentes A, Fox G, Robson GD (2015) Metabarcoding analysis of home composts reveals distinctive fungal communities with a high number of unassigned sequences. Microbiology 161:1921–1932

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Le Goff O, Bru-Adan V, Bacheley H, Godon JJ, Wéry N (2010) The microbial signature of aerosols produced during the thermophilic phase of composting. J Appl Microbiol 108:325–340

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leite RSR, Gomes E, da Silva R (2007) Characterization and comparison of thermostability of purified β-glucosidases from a mesophilic Aureobasidium pullulans and a thermophilic Thermoascus aurantiacus. Process Biochem 42:1101–1106

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, Ndlovu LM, Singh S, Pillay B (1999) Purification and biochemical characteristics of β-D-xylanase from a thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus-SSBP. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 30:73–79

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindt W (1886) Mitteilungen über einige neue pathogene Shimmelpilze. Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 21:269–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maheshwari R, Bharadwaj G, Bhat MK (2000) Thermophilic fungi: their physiology and enzymes. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 64:461–488

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marin-Felix Y, Stchigel AM, Miller AN, Guarro J, Cano-Lira JF (2015) A re-evaluation of the genus Myceliophthora (Sordariales, Ascomycota): its segregation into four genera and description of Corynascus fumimontanus sp. nov. Mycologia 107:619–632

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin N, Guez MAU, Sette LD, da Silva R, Gomes E (2010) Pectinase production by a brazilian thermophilic fungus Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31 in solid-state and submerged fermentation. Microbiology 79:306–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martins E, Silva D, Leite RSR, Gomes E (2007) Purification and characterization of polygalacturonase produced by thermophilic Thermoascus aurantiacus CBMAI-756 in submerged fermentation. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 91:291–299

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mchunu NP, Permaul K, Rahman AYA, Saiot JA, Singh S, Alam M (2013) Xylanase superproducer: genome sequence of a compost-loving thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus strain SSBP. Genome Announc 1:e00388–e00313

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McNeill J, Barrie FR, Buck WR, Demoulin V, Greuter W, Hawksworth DL, Herendeen PS, Knapp S, Marhold K., Prado J, Prud’homme van Reine WF, Smith GE, Wiersema JH, Turland NJ (eds) (2012) International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code) adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011 [Regnum Vegetabile no. 154.], A.R.G. Ganter Verlag, Ruggell

    Google Scholar 

  • McPhillips K, Waters DM, Parlet C, Walsh DJ, Arendt EK, Murray PG (2014) Purification and characterisation of a β-1,4-xylanase from Remersonia thermophila CBS 540.69 and its application in bread making. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 172:1747–1762

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miehe H (1907) Die selbsterhitzung des Heus. Ene Biologische Studie. Gustav Fischer, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra R, Maheshwari R (1996) Amylases of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus, their purification, properties, action on starch and response to heat. J Biosci 21:653–672

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell DB, Vogel K, Weimann BJ, Pasamontes L, van Loon AP (1997) The phytase subfamily of histidine acid phosphatase; isolation of genes for two novel phytases from the Aspergillus terreus and Myceliophthora thermophila. Microbiology 143:245–252

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moretti MMS, Martins DAB, Silva R, Rodrigues A, Sette LD, Gomes E (2012) Selection of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi for the production of cellulases and xylanases under solid-state fermentation. Braz J Microbiol 43:1062–1071

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern I, Powlowski J, Ishmael N, Darmond C, Marqueteau S, Moisan M, Quenneville G, Tsang A (2012) A molecular phylogeny of thermophilic fungi. Fungal Biol 116:489–502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mouchacca J (2000a) Thermotolerant fungi erroneously reported in applied research work as possessing thermophilic attributes. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 16:869–880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mouchacca J (2000b) Thermophilic fungi and applied research: a synopsis of name changes and synonymies. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 16:881–888

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mouchacca J (2007) Heat tolerant fungi and applied research: addition to the previously treated group of strictly thermotolerant species. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 23:1755–1770

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray P, Aro N, Collins C, Grassick A, Penttilä M, Saloheimo M, Tuohy M (2004) Expression in Trichoderma reesei and characterization of a thermostable family 3 beta-glucosidase from the moderately thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii. Protein Expr Purif 38:248–257

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nampoothiri KM, Tomes GJ, Roopesh K, Szakacs G, Nagy V, Soccol CR, Pandey A (2004) Thermostable phytase production by Thermoascus aurantiacus in submerged fermentation. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 118:205–214

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Narang S, Sahai V, Bisaria VS (2001) Optimization of xylanase production by Melanocarpus albomyces IIS68 in solid state fermentation using response surface methodology. J Biosci Bioeng 91:425–427

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Natvig DO, Taylor JW, Tsang A, Hutchinson MI, Powell AJ (2015) Mycothermus thermophilus gen. et comb. nov., a new home for the itinerant thermophile Scytalidium thermophilum (Torula thermophila). Mycologia 107:319–327

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyena QD, Judit M, Claeyssens RM, Stals I, Ágoston H (2002) Purification and characterization of amylolytic enzymes from thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus strain ATCC 34626. Enzym Microb Technol 31:345–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niehaus F, Bertoldo C, Kahler M, Antranikian G (1999) Extremophiles as a source of novel enzymes for industrial applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 51:711–729

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira TB, Gomes E, Rodrigues A (2015) Thermophilic fungi in the new age of fungal taxonomy. Extremophiles 19:31–37

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira TB, Lopes VCP, Barbosa FN, Ferro M, Meirelles LA, Sette LD, Gomes E, Rodrigues A (2016) Fungal communities in pressmud composting harbour beneficial and detrimental fungi for human welfare. Microbiology 162:1147–1156

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira TB, Gostinčar C, Gunde-Cimerman N, Rodrigues A (2018) Genome mining for peptidases in heat-tolerant and mesophilic fungi and putative adaptations for thermostability. BMC Genomics 19:152

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ong PS, Gaucher GM (1976) Production, purification and characterization of thermomycolase, the extracellular serine protease of the thermophilic fungus Malbranchea pulchella var. sulfurea. Can J Microbiol 22:165–176

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pan WZ, Huang XW, Wei KB, Zhang CM, Yang DM, Ding JM, Zhang KG (2010) Diversity of thermophilic fungi in Tengchong Rehai National Park revealed by ITS nucleotide sequence analyses. J Microbiol 48:146–152

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey A, Soccol CR, Mitchell D (2000) New developments in solid state fermentation: I-bioprocesses and products. Process Biochem 35:1153–1169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pasamontes L, Haiker M, Henriquez-Huecas M, Mitchell DB, van Loon AP (1997) Cloning of the phytases from Emericella nidulans and the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces thermophilus. Biochim Biophys Acta 1353:217–223

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paterson RRM, Lima N (2017) Thermophilic fungi to dominate aflatoxigenic/mycotoxigenic fungi on food under global warming. Int J Environ Res Public Health 14:199

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira JC, Leite RSR, Alves-Prado HF, Bocchini-Martins DA, Gomes E, Silva R (2014) Production and characterization of β-glucosidase obtained by the solid-state cultivation of the thermophilic fungus Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 174:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira JC, Marques NP, Rodrigues A, Oliveira TB, Boscolo M, Silva R, Gomes E, Martins DAB (2015) Thermophilic fungi as new sources for production of cellulases and xylanases with potential use in sugarcane bagasse saccharification. J Appl Microbiol 118:928–939

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Plecha S, Hall D, Tiquia-Arashiro SM (2013) Screening and characterization of soil microbes capable of degrading cellulose from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Environ Technol 34:1895–1904

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Powell AJ, Parchert KJ, Bustamante JM, Ricken JB, Hutchinson MI, Natvig DO (2012) Thermophilic fungi in an aridland ecosystem. Mycologia 104:813–825

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prabhu K, Maheshwari R (1999) Biochemical properties of xylanases from a thermophilic fungus, Melanocarpus albomyces, and their action on plant cell walls. J Biosci 24:461–470

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajasekaran AK, Maheshwari R (1993) Thermophilic fungi: an assessment of their potential for growth in soil. J Biosci 18:345–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao P, Divakar S (2002) Response surface methodological approach for Rhizomucor miehei lipase-mediated esterification of α-terpineol with propionic acid and acetic anhydride. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 18:345–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roy I, Sastry MSR, Johri BN, Gupta MN (2000) Purification of alpha-amylase isoenzymes from Scytalidium thermophilum on a fluidized bed of alginate beads followed by concanavalin A-agarose column chromatography. Protein Expr Purif 20:162–168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salar RK, Aneja KR (2006) Thermophilous fungi from temperate soils of northern India. J Agric Technol 2:49–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren M, Ståhlberg J, Mitchinson C (2005) Structural and biochemical studies of GH family 12 cellulases: improved thermal stability, and ligand complexes. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 89:246–291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Satyanarayana T, Johri BN, Klein J (1992) Biotechnological potential of thermophilic fungi. In: Arora DK, Elander RP, Mukherji KG (eds) Handbook of applied mycology, vol 4. Marcel Dekker, New York, p 729–761

    Google Scholar 

  • Seymour RS, Bradford DF (1992) Temperature regulation in the incubation mounds of the Australian brush-turkey. Condor 94:134–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Satyanarayana T (2006a) Phytase production by thermophilic mold Sporotrichum thermophile in solid-state fermentation and its application in dephytinization of sesame oil cake. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 133:239–250

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Satyanarayana T (2006b) A marked enhancement in phytase production by a thermophilic mold Sporotrichum thermophile using statistical designs in a cost-effective cane molasses medium. J Appl Microbiol 101:344–352

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Satyanarayana T (2008a) Improved phytase production by a thermophilic mold Sporotrichum thermophile in submerged fermentation due to statistical optimization. Bioresour Technol 99:824–830

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Satyanarayana T (2008b) Phytase production by a thermophilic mold Sporotrichum thermophile in solid state fermentation and its potential applications. Bioresour Technol 99:2824–2830

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Satyanarayana T (2008c) Phytase production by Sporotrichum thermophile in a cost-effective cane molasses medium in submerged fermentation and its application in bread. J Appl Microbiol 105:1858–1865

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh S, Pillay B, Prior BA (2000) Thermal stability of beta-xylanases produced by different Thermomyces lanuginosus strains. Enzym Microb Technol 26:502–508

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Pocas-Fonseca MJ, Johri BN, Satyanarayana T (2016) Thermophilic molds: biology and applications. Crit Rev Microbiol 42:1–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srilakshmi J, Madhavi J, Lavanya S, Ammani K (2014) Commercial potential of fungal protease: past, present and future prospects. J Pharm Chem Biol Sci 2:218–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Straatsma G, Samson RA, Olijnsma TW, Camp HJM, Gerrits JPG, Griensven LJLD (1994) Ecology of thermophilic fungi in mushroom compost, with emphasis on Scytalidium thermophilum and growth stimulation of Agaricus bisporus mycelium. Appl Environ Microbiol 60:454–458

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Su YY, Cai L (2013) Rasamsonia composticola, a new thermophilic species isolated from compost in Yunnan, China. Mycol Prog 12:213–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tansey MR (1971) Isolation of thermophilic fungi from self-heated, industrial wood chip piles. Mycologia 63:537–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tansey MR, Brock TD (1972) The upper temperature limit for eukaryotic organisms. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 69:2426–2428

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor JW (2011) One fungus = one name: DNA and fungal nomenclature 20 years after PCR. IMA Fungus 2:113–120

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur SB (1977) Occurrence of spores of thermophilic fungi in the air at Bombay. Mycologia 69:197–199

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiquia SM (2005) Microbial community dynamics in manure composts based on 16S and 18S rDNA T-RFLP profiles. Environ Technol 26:1104–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiquia SM, Tam NFY, Hodgkiss IJ (1996) Effects of composting on phytotoxicity of spent pig-manure sawdust litter. Environ Pollut 93:249–256

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiquia SM, Wan JHC, Tam NFY (2002) Microbial population dynamics and enzyme activities during composting. Compost Sci Util 10:150–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsiklinsky P (1899) Sur les mucédinées thermophiles. Ann Inst Pasteur 13:500–505

    Google Scholar 

  • Tubaki K, Ito T, Natsuda Y (1974) Aquatic sediment as a habitat of thermophilic fungi. Ann Microbiol 24:199–207

    Google Scholar 

  • van den Brink J, van Muiswinkel GCJ, Theelen B, Hinzb SWA, de Vries RP (2013) Efficient plant biomass degradation by thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora heterothallica. Appl Environ Microbiol 79:1316–1324

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Noort V, Bradatsch B, Arumugam M, Amlacher S, Bange G, Creevey C, Falk S, Mende DR, Sinning I, Hurt E, Bork P (2013) Consistent mutational paths predict eukaryotic thermostability. BMC Evol Biol 13:7

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Venturi LL, Polizeli LM, Terenzi HF, Furriel Rdos P, Jorge JA (2002) Extracellular beta-D-glucosidase from Chaetomium thermophilum var. coprophilum: production, purification and some biochemical properties. J Basic Microbiol 42:55–66

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vieille C, Zeikus GJ (2001) Hyperthermophilic enzymes: sources, uses, and molecular mechanisms for thermostability. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 65:1–43

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Voutilainen S, Puranen T, Siika-Aho M, Lappalainen A, Alapuranen M, Kallio J, Hooman S, Viikari L, Vehmaanperä J, Koivula A (2008) Cloning, expression, and characterization of novel thermostable family 7 cellobiohydrolases. Biotechnol Bioeng 101:515–528

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wingfield MJ, De Beer ZW, Slippers B, Wingfield BD, Groenewald JZ, Lombard L, Crous PW (2012) One fungus, one name promotes progressive plant pathology. Mol Plant Pathol 13:604–613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou S, Ingram LO (2000) Synergistic hydrolysis of carboxymethyl cellulose and acid-swollen cellulose by two endoglucanases (CelZ and CelY) from Erwinia chrysanthemi. J Bacteriol 182:5676–5682

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou P, Zhang G, Chen S, Jiang Z, Tang Y, Henrissat B, Yan Q, Yang S, Chen CF, Zhang B, Du Z (2014) Genome sequence and transcriptome analyses of the thermophilic zygomycete fungus Rhizomucor miehei. BMC Genomics 15:294

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Tássio Brito de Oliveira

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

    Andre Rodrigues

Authors
  1. Tássio Brito de Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andre Rodrigues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andre Rodrigues .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, USA

    Sonia M. Tiquia-Arashiro

  2. Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Martin Grube

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

de Oliveira, T.B., Rodrigues, A. (2019). Ecology of Thermophilic Fungi. In: Tiquia-Arashiro, S., Grube, M. (eds) Fungi in Extreme Environments: Ecological Role and Biotechnological Significance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19030-9_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation