Characterisation of Trichoderma strains using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and molecular analysis

• Published in: European journal of plant pathology Vol. 162; no. 4; pp. 945 - 956
• Main Authors: Fantin, Lucas Henrique, de Souza Madureira Felício, Ana Lúcia, Sumida, Ciro Hideki, Gonçalves, Ricardo Marcelo, Braga, Karla, de França, José Alexandre, Canteri, Marcelo Giovanetti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-04-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Alcohol; Alcohols; Biological control; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Clustering; Ecology; Fourier analysis; Fourier transforms; Fungi; Genetic analysis; Genetic diversity; Infrared spectroscopy; Life Sciences; Plant Pathology; Plant Sciences; Spectrum analysis; Trichoderma; FTIR-ATR spectroscopy; Spectral signature; Biocontrol
• ISSN: 0929-1873; 1573-8469
• DOI: 10.1007/s10658-021-02449-8

The genus
Trichoderma
is composed of important biocontrol agents. The morphological and molecular characterisation of fungi is demanding and time-consuming. The use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the medium infrared range (MIR) can be a simple and fast technique to study fungi. The objectives of this study were to explore and characterise the spectrum signature of
Trichoderma
strains using FTIR in the MIR (650–4000 cm
−1
) with attenuated total reflectance (ATR). Therefore we investigated the spectrum regions for characterisation, the interference of prepared sample solutions for their resolution and the ability to differentiate
Trichoderma
spp. Results from this method were compared with molecular analysis. The spectra of eight
Trichoderma
spp. were assessed. The samples were prepared using ultrapure water, 50% alcohol, and 99.5% alcohol. Initially, the whole spectrum of each isolate was considered; then, three potential regions were isolated: 650–3000 cm
−1
(region I), 3000–4000 cm
−1
(region II), and 800–1800 cm
−1
(region III). In addition, molecular analysis for genetic diversity study using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was performed. FTIR spectroscopy resolution was improved when 50% alcohol solution was used to prepare the samples. Region III presented the best clustering. Genetic diversity was congruent with FTIR spectroscopy. FTIR-ATR in the MIR range 800–1800 cm
−1
with 50% alcohol samples enabled the characterisation and differentiation of
Trichoderma
spp. according to genetic diversity. This technique can be a fast and efficient method to characterise and differentiate
Trichoderma
samples.