Page 19 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2024

Growth and phenotypic plasticity in Aureobasidium pullulans
on lignin derivatives

Faksawat Poohphajai 1,2,3 *, Oihana Gordobil , Rene Herrera Diaz , Anja Černoša ,
1,2
4
1
1,2
1,2
1
1
Ana Gubenšek , Valentina Hribljan , Wojciech Pajerski , Karen Butina Ogorelec ,
Anna Sandak 1,2,5
1 InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, 6310 Izola, Slovenia, faksawat.poohphajai@innorenew.eu, ana.gubensek@innorenew.eu,
rene.herdiaz@innorenew.eu, anja.cernosa@innorenew.eu, valentina.hribljan@innorenew.eu, wojciech.pajerski@innorenew.eu,
karen.butina@innorenew.eu, anna.sandak@innorenew.eu
2 Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenia, faksawat.poohphajai@iam.upr.si, ana.gubensek@iam.upr.si,
karen.butina@iam.upr.si, rene.herrera@iam.upr.si, anna.sandak@iam.upr.si
3 Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland,
faksawat.poohphajai@aalto.f
4 “Materials + Technologies” Research Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Gipuzkoa,
University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain, oihana.gordbil@ehu.eus
5 Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia,
anna.sandak@famnit.upr.si
* Corresponding author

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of any organism to respond to environmental signals by altering its
morphology, physiological state, or behavior (West-Eberhard, 1989). Aureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) Arnaud
(A. pullulans), a polymorphic black yeast-like fungus, exemplifi es this capacity through its ability to modify its
phenotype in response to environmental stimuli, enabling it to thrive under a wide range of climate conditions.
This fl exibility makes A. pullulans an exceptionally ideal candidate for the project “Bioinspired Living Skin for
Architecture (ARCHI-SKIN)”. By mimicking the natural process, the "ARCHI-SKIN" project is developing an

innovative bioinspired living coating system based on fungal biofilm for protection of various building materials.
To achieve the goal of this project, it is important to understand the mechanisms of fungal growth, including their

ability to utilise diverse nutrients and form biofilms. This understanding is crucial for developing a technically

applicable, controlled, and optimised biofilm that effectively protects substrate surfaces.

This present study aims to investigate the growth and phenotypic plasticity of A. pullulans on diff erent lignin
derivatives, namely vanillin, phenol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and p-coumaric acid. The growth and morphologies

of A. pullulans were visualised using a transmitted light imaging system (EVOS M7000, ThermoFisher Scientific),
which captured projection images at defined time intervals. The acquired images were used for evaluating

the morphological characteristics of the fungus. The obtained results revealed the variation in colony form,
dimension, and morphologies of A. pullulans on diff erent lignin derivatives, indicating the phenotypic plasticity
of this fungus. This evaluation provides valuable insight into the dynamic interactions between A. pullulans and
lignin breakdown products. Such insights are fundamental for optimising coating formulations, enhancing their
effectiveness and durability in protecting building material surfaces, and contributing to sustainable and eco-

friendly coating solutions.

Keywords: bioinspiration, living coatings, building materials, fungal growth, biofilm

11–12 SEPTEMBER 2024 I IZOLA, SLOVENIA 19