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Biotechnological stimulation of phenolics in Lychnis flos-cuculi shoot cultures
Abstract Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi L.) is a plant with notable medicinal potential, attributed to its wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties. Biotechnological methods were used for L. flos-cuculi to sustainably enhance the production of biomass and valuable secondary metabolites from a species with declining natural populations and promising pharmacological potential. The present study investigated the impact of biotechnological strategies—specifically, elicitation using Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) extract and precursor feeding with L-phenylalanine (L-Phe)—on biomass growth and the accumulation of phenolic compounds in shoot cultures. These treatments were applied to clonally propagated, agitated shoot cultures. Chromatographic analyses confirmed the presence of species secondary metabolites and demonstrated that both elicitation and precursor feeding contributed to increased levels of key phenolic acids and flavonoids. Fungal extract elicitation and L-Phe supplementation enhanced the biosynthesis of several target compounds, with the effectiveness influenced by the duration of treatment and the concentration applied. Among the bioactive molecules stimulated were syringic acid, ferulic acid, caftaric acid, vitexin, and apigenin. Notably, precursor feeding with L-Phe promoted the accumulation of phenolic acids in a concentration-dependent manner and positively influenced flavonoid content, particularly vitexin and rutoside. These results support the application of elicitors and metabolic precursors as effective tools in plant biotechnology for optimizing the production of valuable secondary metabolites in L. flos-cuculi shoot cultures.
(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.
Wild-grown, tissue-cultured, and market Pleurotus ostreatus: Implications for chemical characteristics
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.
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.
Elemental uptake and accumulation by wood decay fungi in relation to their nutrition strategy, rot type and mineral profile of the colonized wood
Mineral composition variation in Boletales mushrooms—indication of soil properties and taxonomic influence
AbstractThe efficiency of element accumulation depends on numerous factors, where the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil seem to be very important, and the role of taxonomic rank in the accumulation of elements by mushrooms seems to be important. The aim of the study was to compare the mineral composition of 7 species belonging to Leccinum and Suillus genera, collected between 2019 and 2021 from localizations in the west-central part of Poland. The research aimed to indicate the role of selected soil parameters in stimulating/inhibiting the accumulation of elements by selected Boletales mushroom species and to answer the question about the role of species belonging to the genus as an indicator determining the specific mineral composition of fruiting bodies. Soil pH and other soil properties (granulometric composition, organic carbon, degree of organic matter decomposition) may significantly affect mushrooms' mineral composition. Mushroom species belonging to Leccinum genus exhibited the higher amount of essential major and trace elements than species of Suillus genus). It suggests that the affiliation of the studied mushroom species to a specific genus may affect their mineral composition, and the physicochemical properties of the soil may be responsible for the lack of a clear division in the efficiency of element(s) accumulation. Selected species contain high amounts of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn, while others, such as selected Suillus gravellei fruiting bodies, also contain As and Cd. The results described serve as an introduction to a broader scientific discussion and require many further studies to confirm the role of taxonomic ranks and the influence of soil characteristics on the accumulation of elements by fruiting bodies. Graphical Abstract
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).
Antiplatelet potencies of polysaccharides extracted from eight cultivated edible Pleurotus mushroom species
Podłoże do uprawy grzybów, w szczególności do uprawy boczniaka oraz sposób wytwarzania podłoża do uprawy grzybów, w szczególności do uprawy boczniaka
Species-specific preferences vs. soil composition impact – interplay in bioaccumulation of elements in edible mycorrhizal mushrooms
Lactarius and Russula mushroom genera – Similarities/differences in mineral composition within the Russulaceae family
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
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.
A comparison of toxic and essential elements in edible wild and cultivated mushroom species
AbstractThe multi-elemental composition of 4 edible wild-growing mushroom species that commonly occur in Polish forests was compared to 13 cultivated mushroom species available in trade. A considerable variation in the macroelements content was revealed with cultivated species containing higher amounts of macroelements. The mean content of B, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, Pr, Pt, Sb, Sm, Sr, Te, and Tm was higher in cultivated mushroom species, while the opposite was noted for Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, La, Mo, Sc, and Zn. Selected cultivated forms exhibited increased content of Al (F. velutipes), As (H. marmoreus, F. velutipes), Ni (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, H. marmoreus), and Pb (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, F. velupites, and L. edodes). Wild-growing species, B. boletus, I. badia, and S. bovinus contained high Hg levels, close to or exceeding tolerable intakes. Compared to cultivated mushrooms, they also generally revealed a significantly increased content of Al (with the highest content in B. edulis and I. badia), As and Cd (with the highest content in B. edulis and S. bovinus in both cases). In turn, the cultivated mushrooms were characterized by a higher content of Ni (particularly in A. bisporus) and Pb (with the highest content in P. eryngii). The exposure risks may, however, differ between wild and cultivated mushrooms since the former are consumed seasonally (although in some regions at a high level), while the latter are available throughout the year. Both cultivated and wild-growing mushrooms were found to be a poor source of Ca and Mg, and only a supplemental source of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the human diet. These results suggest that mushrooms collected from the wild or cultivated, should be consumed sparingly. The study advocates for more strict monitoring measures of the content of toxic metals/metalloids in mushrooms distributed as food, preferentially through the establishment of maximum allowance levels not limited only to a few elements and mushroom species.