Journal of Microbiology

Research article

Temporal changes in culturable fungal community composition with their plastic degradation capacities in the marine plastisphere through mesocosm experiments: Sumin Jo, Ji Seon Kim, Wonjun Lee, Chang Wan Seo, Young Woon Lim; J. Microbiol. 2026;64(8):e2605011. Published online August 31, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.71150/jm.2605011

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Plastic waste in marine environments provides novel habitats for diverse organisms, forming distinct microbial ecosystems known as the ‘plastisphere’. Although bacteria of the plastisphere have been widely studied, the role of fungi in plastisphere formation and plastic degradation remains largely unexplored. Thus, we investigated temporal changes in culturable fungal community composition on three common plastic types—high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene—across the early (seven days) and mature (30 days) plastisphere developmental stages through a marine mesocosm experiment. In total, 436 fungal strains were isolated and identified as belonging to 179 taxa, with Penicillium, Cladosporium, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Fusarium as the dominant genera. Temporal shifts in the species richness of the dominant genera were observed: Cladosporium showed higher species richness at the early stage, whereas that of Trichoderma increased at the mature stage. Plastic degradation assays revealed that 54.6% of the strains exhibited measurable degradation capacity, with patterns varying by plastic type rather than fungal developmental stage. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed surface damage patterns including cracks, pitting, and erosion on the plastic surfaces. These findings provide novel insights into the composition and functional heterogeneity of culturable fungal communities in the marine plastisphere and suggest that plastisphere fungi play diverse ecological roles beyond direct plastic degradation.

Article

Fungal Catastrophe of a Specimen Room: Just One Week is Enough to Eradicate Traces of Thousands of Animals: Ji Seon Kim , Yoonhee Cho , Chang Wan Seo , Ki Hyung Park , Shin Nam Yoo , Jun Won Lee , Sung Hyun Kim , Wonjun Lee , Young Woon Lim; J. Microbiol. 2023;61(2):189-197. Published online February 6, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00017-9

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Indoor fungi obtain carbon sources from natural sources and even recalcitrant biodegradable materials, such as plastics and synthetic dye. Their vigorous activity may have negative consequences, such as structural damage to building materials or the destruction of precious cultural materials. The animal specimen room of the Seoul National University stocked 36,000 animal resources that had been well-maintained for over 80 years. Due to abandonment without the management of temperature and humidity during the rainy summer season, many stuffed animal specimens had been heavily colonized by fungi. To investigate the fungal species responsible for the destruction of the historical specimens, we isolated fungi from the stuffed animal specimens and identified them at the species level based on morphology and molecular analysis of the β-tubulin (BenA) gene. A total of 365 strains were isolated and identified as 26 species in Aspergillus (10 spp.), Penicillium (14 spp.), and Talaromyces (2 spp.). Penicillium brocae and Aspergillus sydowii were isolated from most sections of the animal specimens and have damaged the feathers and beaks of valuable specimens. Our findings indicate that within a week of mismanagement, it takes only a few fungal species to wipe out the decades of history of animal diversity. The important lesson here is to prevent this catastrophe from occurring again through a continued interest, not to put all previous efforts to waste.

Citations

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Article

Diversity and Dynamics of Marine Arenicolous Fungi in Three Seasides of the Korean Peninsula: Jun Won Lee , Chang Wan Seo , Wonjun Lee , Ji Seon Kim , Ki Hyeong Park , Yoonhee Cho , Young Woon Lim; J. Microbiol. 2023;61(1):63-82. Published online January 30, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00011-1

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Abstract PDF

Various arenicolous fungal species have been detected from the beach sand in the coastal area. However, little has been revealed regarding their distribution and dynamics. To investigate the overall diversity of marine arenicolous fungi (MAFs) in Korea and whether the composition of MAFs is affected by ocean currents, we isolated and analyzed the fungal community from the western, southern, and eastern seasides of the Korean Peninsula. In total, 603 strains were isolated and identified as 259 species based on appropriate molecular markers for each genus (ITS, BenA, CaM, tef1, and act). The composition of MAFs showed differences among the seasides. Our results indicate that many MAFs inhabit the beach sand on the Korean Peninsula, and the composition of MAFs is also affected by ocean currents flowing along each coast.

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Erratum

Erratum to: Fungal Catastrophe of a Specimen Room: Just One Week is Enough to Eradicate Traces of Thousands of Animals: Ji Seon Kim , Yoonhee Cho , Chang Wan Seo , Ki Hyeong Park , Shinnam Yoo , Jun Won Lee , Sung Hyun Kim , Wonjun Lee , Young Woon Lim; J. Microbiol. 2023;61(6):653-653.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00060-6

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Abstract PDF: Correction to: Journal of Microbiology (2023) 61:189–197 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00017-9 In this article two author names are given erroneaously: Written incorrectly: Ki Hyung Park · Shin Nam Yoo It should be read: Ki Hyeong Park · Shinnam Yoo

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