Abstract
Fungi constitute an abundant source of natural polysaccharides, some of them harboring original structures which can induce responses in mammalian or plant cells. An alkaline extract from the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus has been obtained and called Pleuran complex cell wall extract (CCWE). It consists of a glucan-peptide complex whose components fall in a quite broad range of molecular weights, from 30 to 80 kDa. Pleuran extract has been tested on cultivated plants in laboratory conditions and also during field trial for its capacity to stimulate plant defenses in response to pathogen attack. Following Pleuran CCWE treatment, enhanced levels of various biochemical markers associated with plant responses have been observed, including enzymatic activities (e.g., peroxidase) or expression of some pathogenesis-related genes. In addition, during field experiments, we have noticed significant reductions in disease symptom levels in relation to different plant/pathogen systems (wheat/septoria, vine/mildew). These results confirmed that Pleuran CCWE could be used as an elicitor of plant defenses and could help in reducing pesticide applications against plant pathogens.
Highlights
Edible mushrooms are widely consumed all over the world and sometimes are cultivated in large amounts
An important part of the biomass of these mushrooms is the fungal cell wall which consists of a complex assembly of different polysaccharides (α- and β-glucan, galactomannan and chitin) and various proteins [1,2,3]
After collection, mushrooms were dried at 30 °C in ventilated area
Summary
Edible mushrooms are widely consumed all over the world and sometimes are cultivated in large amounts. An edible mushroom constitutes the aerial part of a fungus which carries the spore-bearing fruiting body. An important part of the biomass of these mushrooms is the fungal cell wall which consists of a complex assembly of different polysaccharides (α- and β-glucan, galactomannan and chitin) and various proteins [1,2,3]. Β-glucans are composed of a linear β1→3 glucan backbone harboring β1-6 glucan side chains. Linear (1→3)α-D-glucans have been described [3]. Chitin is composed of long chains of β(1→4) linked N-acetylglucosamine units. All of these polysaccharides are closely associated with fungal cell walls [4]
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