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Reply to “Comments on “Anthropogenic contamination leads to changes in mineral composition of soil- and tree-growing mushroom species: A case study of urban vs. rural environments and dietary implications”- rare earth elements by Jerzy Falandysz
Lactarius and Russula mushroom genera – Similarities/differences in mineral composition within the Russulaceae family
Evaluation of antidiabetic potential of macrofungi extracts from Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinus Comatus by in vitro assay
Biofortification of Three Cultivated Mushroom Species with Three Iron Salts -Potential for a New Iron-Rich Superfood
Mushrooms fortified with iron (Fe) can offer a promising alternative to counter the worldwide deficiency problem. However, the factors that may influence the efficiency of fortification have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three Fe forms (FeCl3 6H2O, FeSO4 7H2O, or FeHBED) in three concentrations (5, 10, or 50 mM) for three mushroom species (Pleurotus eryngii, P. ostreatus, or Pholiota nameko) on their chemical composition, phenolic compounds, and organic acid production. The most effective metal accumulation of all the investigated species was for the 50 mM addition. FeCl3 6H2O was the most favorable additive for P. eryngii and P. nameko (up to 145 and 185% Fe more than in the control, respectively) and FeHBED for P. ostreatus (up to 108% Fe more than in control). Additionally, P. nameko showed the highest Fe accumulation among studied species (89.2 ± 7.51 mg kg−1 DW). The creation of phenolic acids was generally inhibited by Fe salt supplementation. However, an increasing effect on phenolic acid concentration was observed for P. ostreatus cultivated at 5 mM FeCl3 6H2O and for P. eryngii cultivated at 5 mM FeCl3 6H2O and 5 mM FeSO4 7H2O. In the case of organic acids, a similar situation was observed. For P. ostreatus, FeSO4 7H2O and FeHBED salts increased the formation of the determined organic acids in fruiting bodies. P. eryngii and P. nameko were characterized by a much lower content of organic acids in the systems supplemented with Fe. Based on the obtained results, we recommend starting fortification by preliminarily indicating which form of the element is preferred for the species of interest for supplementation. It also seems that using an additive concentration of 50 mM or higher is most effective.
Evaluation of the cariogenicity of prebiotic (1-3) -α-D-glucooligosaccharides
One of the important features of prebiotics is their beneficial effect on the health of the host, which consists in the inhibition of the growth of harmful bacteria, including strains causing caries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cariogenic potential of a hydrolyzate of (1→3)-α-D-glucan (GOS) isolated from fruiting bodies of Laetiporus sulphureus, consisting of (1→3)-α-D-glucooligosaccharides (85.6%) and glucose (14.4%). The study was conducted in cultures of cariogenic bacteria belonging to the genus Streptococcus (S. mutans CAPM 6067, S. sobrinus DSMZ 20381, S. sobrinus/downei CCUG 21020, and S. sanguis ATCC 10556). The investigation of the cariogenicity of GOS included examination of the influence of the preparation on the growth of the above mentioned bacteria, their ability to synthesize mutan, and the formation of a sucrose-dependent biofilm. GOS significantly inhibited the growth of the investigated streptococci, and the observed beneficial effect was stronger than the changes induced by a commercial prebiotic preparation containing a mixture of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Furthermore, GOS inhibited the mutan synthesis by the above mentioned bacteria but did not exert an impact on the formation of artificial dental plaque. In conclusion, the studies conducted showed low cariogenicity of GOS and confirmed the safety of its use as a dietary supplement.
Linking soil properties to elemental uptake patterns: species-specific accumulation in Boletales mushrooms
Elemental uptake and accumulation by wood decay fungi in relation to their nutrition strategy, rot type and mineral profile of the colonized wood
Use of Spent Mushroom Substrates in Radish (Raphanus ssp.) Microgreens Cultivation
This study evaluated the effects of incorporating spent mushroom substrates (SMS) derived from Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Lentinula edodes into peat-based growing media on the morphological traits, photosynthetic parameters, and mineral composition of radish and black radish microgreens. Six substrate mixtures were tested, with 2.5–30% SMS and two composting durations (97 and 153 days). The results showed that a low proportion of A. bisporus SMS (2.5–5%) significantly enhanced biomass production, plant length, and leaf area, particularly in radish. In contrast, higher proportions (20–30%) of P. ostreatus and L. edodes SMS, especially when short-time composted, inhibited plant growth and photosynthetic performance (Fv/Fm, PIabs), likely due to phytotoxic compounds, high salt content, or nutrient imbalances. Mineral analysis revealed substantial increases in K, Fe, and Zn accumulation in microgreens grown on selected SMS media, particularly Agaricus 5% and Lentinula 30, while also highlighting the risk of excessive Na or heavy metal content in some treatments. Differences between the species were observed: black radish produced higher dry mass and accumulated more minerals, suggesting greater adaptability to suboptimal substrates. These findings support the potential use of well-composted SMS as a sustainable growing media component for microgreens, provided proper substrate selection, composting, and dosage control are applied.
(1→3)-α-D-Glucan from Pink Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus djamor): Structural features
(1→3)-α-d-Glucan is an important component of the cell wall of most fungi. The polymer has many applications, including as a therapeutic agent in the prevention or treatment of various diseases, as well as a heavy metal sorbent and a component of new materials used in the plastics industry. The presence of (1→3)-α-d-glucan (water-insoluble, alkali-soluble polysaccharide) in the cell wall of Pleurotus djamor (pink oyster mushroom) was confirmed using specific fluorophore-labeled antibodies. Therefore, the water-insoluble fraction (WI-ASF) of P. djamor B123 fruiting bodies was isolated by alkaline extraction and used for further analyses. The structural features of the WI-ASF were determined by composition analysis, linkage analysis, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, as well as viscosity, specific rotation, and gel permeation chromatography. These studies revealed the presence of glucose units linked by α-glycosidic bonds and scanty amounts of mannose and xylose. Furthermore, methylation analysis of WI-ASF demonstrated that the (1→3)-linked glucopyranose (Glcp) is the primary moiety (86.4%) of the polymer, while the 3,4- and 3,6-substituted hexoses are the branching residues of the glucan. The results of chemical and spectroscopic investigations indicated that the analyzed WI-ASF is a (1→3)-linked α-d-glucan type with a molecular weight of 552 kDa.
Exploring the Potential of Fungal Biomass for Bisphenol A Removal in Aquatic Environments
Bisphenol A is a plastic component, which shows endocrine activity that is detrimental to humans and aquatic ecosystems. The elimination of BPA from the environment is one of the solutions for BPA contaminant management. Adsorption is a cost-effective, easy-to-use method generating low harmful byproducts; nevertheless, contaminant sorbent treatment is a challenge that still needs to be addressed. Fungal fruiting bodies biomass is rarely studied sorbent but is promising due to its high polysaccharide content and availability. Our preliminary studies showed BPA sorption (100 mg/L) by 50 cultivated and wild fungi. The cultivated species: Clitocybe maxima (82%), Pholiota nameko (77%), and Pleurotus columbinus (74%), and wild fungi Cantharellus cibarius (75%) and Lactarius deliciosus (72%) were the most efficient. The biomass was able to sorb BPA over a broad range of temperature and pH levels, with an optimum at 20 °C and pH 7. Although saturation of sorbents was rapid, the regeneration process using ethanol was effective and allowed to recover up to 75% of sorbents’ initial efficiency. A single use of 1 g of sorbent would allow the treatment of 8.86 to 10.1 m3 of wastewater effluent, 16.5 to 18.7 m3 of surface water, and 411 to 469 m3 of drinking water, assuming the concentrations of BPA reported in the literature.
Antiaging Properties of Macrofungi Extracts from Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinus comatus
Mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds with antiaging properties. This study focused on three species: Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Coprinus comatus. Their antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities were evaluated using ABTS, CUPRAC, and DPPH assays. Ganoderma lucidum showed the highest ABTS activity (97.09%), followed by Coprinus comatus (83.35%) and Hericium erinaceus (60.53%). In the CUPRAC assay, Ganoderma lucidum demonstrated the greatest Cu2+ reduction at 3.0 mg/mL, while Hericium erinaceus and Coprinus comatus showed similar reduction levels at higher concentrations. The DPPH assay revealed Ganoderma lucidum as the most potent antioxidant (90.83%), with the other two species exhibiting around 45% lower activity. Ganoderma lucidum also had the highest tyrosinase inhibition. Among the extracts, Coprinus comatus ethanol extract was most toxic, especially to Daphnia pulex and Chironomus aprilinus, with 50% mortality occurring within approximately 8 hours and 40 minutes, respectively. Hericium erinaceus ethanol extract was the least toxic, affecting only Daphnia pulex with four deaths after 24 hours. Aqueous extracts from all fungi showed no toxicity. These findings suggest that mushroom extracts, particularly Ganoderma lucidum, have potential for use in antiaging
Biofortification of Mushrooms: A Promising Approach
Mushrooms exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and are widely used for medical purposes and in nutrition. Numerous bioactive metabolites are responsible for these activities. Their distribution and biological effects differ depending on the fungal species and their chemical composition. Biofortification is a sustainable process that aims to improve the nutritional profile of food crops, as most of them are low in key nutrients. This review aims to delve into the process of fungal biofortification and review the most commonly used elements and species. Through biofortification, it is possible to combat hidden hunger, which affects as many as 2 billion people worldwide. “Hidden hunger” is a phenomenon in which the organism lacks the minerals and vitamins needed for development, growth, and good overall health. Mushrooms are increasingly being considered for biofortification due to their ability to accumulate various elements (both micro- and macroelements).
The effect of light conditions on the content of selected active ingredients in anatomical parts of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus L.)
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cultivation conditions in the context of light on the retention of selected vitamins, minerals and polyphenols in the stem and cap of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus L.). Additionally, the effect of the retention of bioactive components on the antioxidant activity of mushroom extracts was evaluated, taking into account the morphological part. Oyster mushrooms grown in the light of 200 lux had higher riboflavin content compared to mushrooms exposed to the light of lower intensity. The thiamine content of the mushrooms dropped with decreasing light intensity during cultivation. The content of biologically active compounds was found to be equal in the stem and the cap. In the case of riboflavin, it was shown that its contents in cap fractions, irrespective of the cultivation method, was statistically significantly higher than in stems. The mineral composition of caps and stems differed from each other. No differences in Zn and Cu content between the morphological parts of the mushroom studied were found. However, it was shown that the stems, regardless of the type of light, contained less iron, magnesium and sodium. Thus, it was observed that limited light exposure caused an increase in the content of total polyphenolic compounds, which did not correlate with antioxidant activity. There was no effect of the light on the antioxidant activity of mushrooms. It was also shown that stem extracts had higher antioxidant activity compared to the extracts obtained from the caps. This findings point to the possibility and potentail of use both fraction of mushrooms in the new food products development.
Anthropogenic contamination leads to changes in mineral composition of soil- and tree-growing mushroom species: A case study of urban vs. rural environments and dietary implications
Podłoże do uprawy grzybów, w szczególności do uprawy boczniaka oraz sposób wytwarzania podłoża do uprawy grzybów, w szczególności do uprawy boczniaka
Road traffic and abiotic parameters of underlying soils determine the mineral composition and nutritive value of the mushroom Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer
Dual functional cholinesterase inhibitors and complexing of aluminum ions of five species of fungi family depended of drying conditions and extraction process - In vitro study
Assessment of Biological Activity of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides Isolated From Cultivated Pleurotus pulmonarius and Pleurotus citrinopileatus
Anti-proliferative and antioxidant activities of Pleurotus pulmonarius and P. citrinopileatus water-soluble polysaccharides were examined using human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and human normal colonic epithelial (CCD841 CoTr) cell lines in vitro. Polysaccharides were prepared by cold and hot water extraction methods and chemically characterized. The monosaccharide analysis showed that all the preparations contained hexoses: mannose, glucose, galactose, and 3-O-methyl-hexose (identified as 3-O-methyl-galactose) as well as trace amounts of pentose identified as arabinose. Linkage analysis, on the other hand, revealed a wide variety of monosaccharide linking bonds in the polysaccharides studied, depending on the polymer source and the method of isolation. Both fungal polysaccharide preparations with increasing concentrations showed lower DPPH free radical reducing activity. The degree of reduction depended on the origin of the compounds and the method of their preparation. Stimulation of nitric oxide (NOx) production by the tested cells was observed after their incubation with the polysaccharides. The tested compounds at lower concentrations (up to 500 μg/mL) did not significantly influence the metabolic activity of the tumor and normal cells after 24 h of incubation. The viability of the tumor and normal cells was limited after the impact of the polysaccharides in the concentration range of 25 – 1000 μg/mL. The hot and cold water isolated polysaccharides did not induce changes in the normal and tumor cell cytoskeleton organization. The paper presents newly prepared and characterized hot and cold isolated water-soluble polysaccharides with promising pro-health potential against tumor and normal human colon epithelium cells.
