Mushroom Genus Research Articles

Unveiling the hidden diversity of Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae, Polyporales) in Sri Lanka: the first report of G. angustisporum, G. ellipsoideum, and G. orbiforme

ABSTRACT The genus Ganoderma holds profound importance in traditional medicine and modern scientific research. It is renowned for its medicinal properties and ecological significance, particularly in East Asian cultures, which have been revered for centuries. This mushroom has garnered significant attention in recent decades due to its ethnomedicinal use. The importance of Ganoderma genus in traditional medicine and scientific research cannot be overstated. Furthermore, extensive research has been conducted worldwide on the taxonomy and nomenclature of this fungus, although it remains controversial. However, research into the diversity and characterisation of Ganoderma species in Sri Lanka has been relatively limited, and the species diversity of Ganoderma is still not well known. Hence, we collected and identified Ganoderma species in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces, Sri Lanka, aiming to increase research interest in this important mushroom genus. The collected specimens were identified based on comprehensive morphological analyses and rDNA-ITS sequence-based phylogeny. Three Ganoderma species, Ganoderma angustisporum J.H. Xing, B.K. Cui & Y.C. Dai, G. ellipsoideum Hapuar., T.C. Wen & K.D. Hyde, and G. orbiforme (Fr.) Ryvarden were identified in Sri Lanka for the first time. Additionally, a fungicolous strain of Trichoderma atroviride P. Karst. associated with the basidiocarps of G. angustisporum was identified for the first time.

Evaluating the potential for psilocybin as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that develops following exposure to a traumatic event. Individuals with this condition experience numerous physiological and behavioral alterations, including intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, impaired cognition, elevated resting heart rate and blood pressure, and altered neuroendocrine function, to name a few. In most patients, currently available pharmacological and psychological treatments are insufficient to alleviate the array of symptoms associated with the disorder. Thus, novel treatment options that can more effectively target the core etiology of PTSD are desperately needed. Recent work demonstrating the psychoplastogenic effects of psychedelics has reinvigorated research to examine their therapeutic potential in psychiatric conditions. Psilocybin, one psychedelic found in the Psilocybe genus of mushrooms, has exhibited promising antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in preclinical and clinical studies. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing research that has examined the behavioral effects of psilocybin and link it to potential efficacy in treating PTSD-related symptoms. The proposed mechanisms for psilocybin's effects are then explored, as are the benefits and drawbacks for the agent's therapeutic use. Finally, the challenges faced by investigators aiming to study psilocybin as a therapeutic aid in future studies are discussed in order to shed light on this budding area of research. Significance Statement Current pharmacotherapy for PTSD is insufficient. Traditional antidepressants and anxiolytics help reduce symptom severity, but nonresponse rates often reach levels greater than 50%, emphasizing the need for more effective treatment options. The goal of this review is to summarize the existing evidence for and the potential mechanisms of the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in the Psilocybe genus of mushrooms. We then relate the observed effects to psilocybin's potential use as a treatment for PTSD.

Genome editing tools based improved applications in macrofungi.

Macrofungi commonly referred to as Mushrooms are distributed worldwide and well known for their nutritional, medicinal, and organoleptic properties. Strain improvement in mushrooms is lagging due to paucity of efficient genome modification techniques. Thus, for advanced developments in research and commercial or economical viability and benefit, CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9) emerged as an efficient genome editing tool. The higher efficiency and precision of the desired genetic modification(s) are the most valuable attributes of this recent technology. The present review comprehensively summarizes various conventional methods utilized for strain improvement in mushrooms including hybridization, protoplast fusion, and di-mon mating. Furthermore, the problems associated with these techniques have been discussed besides providing the potential recluses. The significance of CRISPR/Cas9 strategies employed for improvement in various mushroom genera has been deliberated, as these strategies will paves the way forward for obtaining improved strain and effective cultivation methods for enhancing the yield and quality of the fruit bodies.

Combined study of morphology and molecular phylogeny unveils the first report of the mushroom genus Singerocybe (Tricholomataceae) from India

Combined study of morphology and molecular phylogeny unveils the first report of the mushroom genus Singerocybe (Tricholomataceae) from India

Extreme overall mushroom genome expansion in Mycena s.s. irrespective of plant hosts or substrate specializations

Mycena s.s. is a ubiquitous mushroom genus whose members degrade multiple dead plant substrates and opportunistically invade living plant roots. Having sequenced the nuclear genomes of 24 Mycena species, we find them to defy the expected patterns for fungi based on both their traditionally perceived saprotrophic ecology and substrate specializations. Mycena displayed massive genome expansions overall affecting all gene families, driven by novel gene family emergence, gene duplications, enlarged secretomes encoding polysaccharide degradation enzymes, transposable element (TE) proliferation, and horizontal gene transfers. Mainly due to TE proliferation, Arctic Mycena species display genomes of up to 502 Mbp (2-8× the temperate Mycena), the largest among mushroom-forming Agaricomycetes, indicating a possible evolutionary convergence to genomic expansions sometimes seen in Arctic plants. Overall, Mycena show highly unusual, varied mosaic-like genomic structures adaptable to multiple lifestyles, providing genomic illustration for the growing realization that fungal niche adaptations can be far more fluid than traditionally believed.

Can the concentration of elements in wild-growing mushrooms be deduced from the taxonomic rank?

The mineral composition of wild-growing mushroom species is influenced by various environmental factors, particularly the chemical properties of the soil/substrate. We hypothesised that element uptake might also correlate with taxonomic classification, potentially allowing us to predict contamination levels based on mushrooms within the same taxonomic rank. This study compared the mineral composition (Ag, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) of 16 saprotrophic mushroom species from 11 genera across 4 families and 2 orders. Among these were 13 edible and 3 inedible mushrooms, all collected from natural, wild stands in a forest in central-western Poland between 2017 and 2020.Phallus impudicus exhibited the highest mean content of Ba (together with Phallus hadriani) (6.63 and 8.61 mg kg−1, respectively), Ca (with Paralepista gilva and Stropharia rugosoannulata) (803, 735 and 768 mg kg−1, respectively), Cd (with Lycoperdon perlatum) (3.59 and 3.12 mg kg−1, respectively), Co (0.635 mg kg−1), and Fe (with P. hadriani and S. rugosoannulata) (476, 427 and 477 mg kg−1, respectively), while Macrolepiota mastoidea showed the highest content of Ag (1.96 mg kg−1), As (with Coprinus comatus) (1.56 and 1.62 mg kg−1, respectively) and Cu (with Macrolepiota procera and Chlorophyllum rhacodes) (192, 175 and 180 mg kg−1, respectively). Comparing the content of the analysed elements in the genera represented by at least two species, a similarity was observed, the same as the mean concentration in soil under these species.Soil characteristics could be a superior factor that overshadows the impact of the mushroom genus on the elements accumulation, obscuring its role as a determinant in this process. The results are not definitive evidence that belonging to a particular taxonomic rank is a prerequisite condition affecting the accumulation of all elements. A closer focus on this issue is needed.

Optimization of Fermentation Culture Medium for Sanghuangporus alpinus Using Response-Surface Methodology

The newly identified Sanghuangporus alpinus species of the Sanghuang mushroom genus has been found to possess significant medical benefits. However, the current artificial cultivation technology has not reached the requisite maturity. The response-surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the Sanghuangporus alpinus culture medium formulation and evaluate the functional activity of S. alpinus exopolysaccharides. First, a single-factor experiment was conducted to screen for optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for S. alpinus. Then, using Box–Behnken’s central composite design, a response-surface experiment was conducted to determine optimal culture parameters. Finally, the rationality of those parameters was assessed in a shaking flask experiment. The optimal culture parameters, determined through regression analysis, were 20.20 ± 0.17 g/L fructose (carbon source), 7.29 ± 0.10 g/L yeast extract (nitrogen source), and 0.99 ± 0.01 g/L dandelion. With optimization, the S. alpinus yield increased to 12.79 ± 1.41 g/L, twice that obtained from the initial culture medium. The S. alpinus exopolysaccharide exhibited an excellent antioxidant capacity, with the strongest scavenging effect noted on ABTS free radicals (lowest half-inhibitory concentration: 0.039 mg/mL). Additionally, this exopolysaccharide effectively inhibited various cancer cells, exhibiting the strongest activity against human glioma cells U251 (half-inhibitory concentration: 0.91 mg/mL). The RSM used to optimize the fermentation culture parameters of S. alpinus significantly increased the mycelial biomass. The improvement of Sanghuangporus alpinus yield through liquid fermentation and optimizing the fermentation medium could fill the existing gap in the cultivation of Sanghuangporus alpinus, as well as provide valuable data for the large-scale production of S. alpinus.

Phylogenomics of the psychoactive mushroom genus Psilocybe and evolution of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster.

Psychoactive mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe have immense cultural value and have been used for centuries in Mesoamerica. Despite the recent surge of interest in these mushrooms due to the psychotherapeutic potential of their natural alkaloid psilocybin, their phylogeny and taxonomy remain substantially incomplete. Moreover, the recent elucidation of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster is known for only five of ~165 species of Psilocybe, four of which belong to only one of two major clades. We set out to improve the phylogeny of Psilocybe using shotgun sequencing of fungarium specimens, from which we obtained 71 metagenomes including from 23 types, and conducting phylogenomic analysis of 2,983 single-copy gene families to generate a fully supported phylogeny. Molecular clock analysis suggests the stem lineage of Psilocybe arose ~67 mya and diversified ~56 mya. We also show that psilocybin biosynthesis first arose in Psilocybe, with 4 to 5 possible horizontal transfers to other mushrooms between 40 and 9 mya. Moreover, predicted orthologs of the psilocybin biosynthetic genes revealed two distinct gene orders within the biosynthetic gene cluster that corresponds to a deep split within the genus, possibly a signature of two independent acquisitions of the cluster within Psilocybe.

Ganoderma adspersum (Ganodermataceae): Investigation of Its Secondary Metabolites and the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Potential of Its Extracts.

Ganoderma is a genus of wood-degrading mushrooms with medicinal importance. Most Ganoderma species have been studied extensively for their secondary metabolites, biological activities, and ecological value. In this study, the biological activities of the extracts of G. adspersum growing wild on Morus alba trees in the region of Western Thrace (Greece) were evaluated, and the petroleum ether, dichloromethanolic, and methanolic extracts were studied further for their secondary metabolites. Six substances were isolated by chromatographic (Clumn Chromatography (C.C.), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)) and spectroscopic methods (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)), which were classified in the following categories: (a) unsaturated fatty acids: cis-oleic acid (1); (b) sterols: ergosta-7,22-dien-3-one (2), ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol (3), and ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3-ol (4); and (c) lanostane-type triterpenoids: applanoxidic acid G (5) and applanoxidic acid A (6). Finally, the biological activities of the extracts were estimated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic potential. The methanolic extract of G. adspersum showed the highest total antioxidant activity. The results of the antimicrobial activities indicated that all of the extracts had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging between 39.1 and 312.5 μg/mL. The evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the samples showed once again that the methanolic extract was the most potent among the examined extracts, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 19.22 μg/mL (Hep2c cells), 32.9 μg/mL (RD cells), and 8.94 μg/mL (L2OB cells). Moreover, the bioactivity scores of the isolated secondary metabolites were calculated using the online computer software program Molinspiration. The compounds showed promising bioactivity scores for drug targets.

Discrimination of lethal Russula subnigricans from wild edible and morphologically similar mushrooms in the genus Russula using SCAR markers

Russula is a diverse genus of mushrooms that is consumed worldwide. Russula subnigricans is a lethal species that causes myotoxicity upon ingestion. It is morphologically similar to wild foraged species, including R. nigricans and R. densifolia. Misidentification of these mushrooms can lead to severe food poisoning. Several PCR-based approaches have been used to overcome this problem. In this study, 22 samples of wild edible Russula species were collected, and five clinical samples of R. subnigricans leftovers were obtained. Based on the sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer, the phylogenetic trees revealed that these 27 samples could be classified into well-established clades of six subgenera. Fifty arbitrary primers were used in high annealing temperature rapid amplified polymorphic DNA (HAT-RAPD) technique to screen polymorphic bands among R. subnigricans, R. nigricans, R. densifolia, and other edible species. Distinctive RAPD fragments were obtained from 11 primers and used in sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) technique. Three pairs of species-specific SCAR primers were selected to distinguish lethal R. subnigricans, R. nigricans, and R. densifolia with SCAR markers of 213, 420, and 609 bp, respectively. Ten-fold sensitivity test revealed that the SCAR marker of R. subnigricans could be detected at DNA template concentrations as low as 30 pg/μL. This marker could detect the presence of lethal R. subnigricans even at 1% in a cooked sample of mixed mushroom remnants. The developed SCAR markers ensured rapid and accurate diagnosis of suspected myotoxic mushrooms, thereby reducing the risk of severe foodborne illness and death.

Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Ganoderic Acid: Protection against α-Amanitin-Induced Liver Injury.

α-Amanitin is a representative toxin found in the Amanita genus of mushrooms, and the consumption of mushrooms containing α-Amanitin can lead to severe liver damage. In this study, we conduct toxicological experiments to validate the protective effects of Ganoderic acid A against α-amanitin-induced liver damage. By establishing animal models with different durations of Ganoderic acid A treatment and conducting a metabolomic analysis of the serum samples, we further confirmed the differences in serum metabolites between the AMA+GA and AMA groups. The analysis of differential serum metabolites after the Ganoderic acid A intervention suggests that Ganoderic acid A may intervene in α-amanitin-induced liver damage by participating in the regulation of retinol metabolism, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, sphingosine biosynthesis, spermidine and spermine biosynthesis, and branched-chain amino acid metabolism. This provides initial insights into the protective intervention mechanisms of GA against α-amanitin-induced liver damage and offers new avenues for the development of therapeutic drugs for α-Amanitin poisoning.

A Sensitive, Cell-Based Assay for Measuring Low-Level Biological Activity of α-Amanitin.

α-Amanitin is one of the primary toxins produced by the poisonous mushroom genus, Amanita. Because it is odorless and tasteless, it is an important cause of death from the consumption of misidentified mushrooms. To study the thermal stability of α-amanitin, novel cell-based assays were developed to measure the toxin's activity, based on the inhibition of RNA polymerase II by α-amanitin. First, an MTT-formazan cell viability assay was used to measure the biological activity of α-amanitin through the inhibition of cellular activity. This method can detect 10 μg/mL of α-amanitin in a time-dependent manner. Second, a more sensitive quantitative PCR approach was developed to examine its inhibition of viral replication. The new RT-qPCR assay enabled the detection of 100 ng/mL. At this level, α-amanitin still significantly reduced adenovirus transcription. Third, a simpler GFP expression-based assay was developed with an equal sensitivity to the RT-qPCR assay. With this assay, aqueous α-amanitin heated at 90 °C for 16 h or treated in the microwave for 3 min retained its biological activity when tested in HEK293 cells, but a slight reduction was observed when tested in Vero cells. Beyond detecting the activity of α-amanitin, the new method has a potential application for detecting the activity of other toxins that are RNA polymerase inhibitors.

New Tricholomalides D-G from the Mushroom Tricholoma ustaloides Grown in an Italian Beech Wood.

Four novel seconeodolastane diterpenoids, named tricholomalides D-G, were isolated, together with the known tricholomalide C, from the fruiting bodies of Tricholoma ustaloides Romagn., a species belonging to the large Tricholoma genus of higher mushrooms (Basidiomycota, family Tricholomataceae). They were isolated through multiple chromatographic separations, and the structures, including the absolute configuration, were established through a detailed analysis of MS, NMR, and CD spectral data and comparison with related compounds reported in the literature, which has been thoroughly revised.

Mushroom based Cosmeceuticals: An Upcoming Biotechnology Sector

ABSTRACT: Mushrooms have been an established source of nutrition for hundreds of years. They are recently being exploited for their potential applications in other sectors as well. One of their emerging applications has been in the cosmetic industry where their bioactive properties are being used either as cosmeceutical for topical administration or as nutricosmetics for oral administration. Certain genera of mushrooms which are being used in cosmetic industries are Lentinula, Ganoderma, Pleurotus, Cordyceps, Inonotus, Tremella, Grifola, Schizophyllum, Pleurotus, Coriolus, Ganoderma, Euphorbia, Pistacia, Trametes, Agaricus, Phellinus, Antrodia. The mushroom extracts and their bioactive metabolites show excellent anti-oxidant, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, moisturizing and skin whitening effects making them ideal and multi-functional cosmetic components. The mounting benefits of various mushroom extracts in skin and hair care products have also fast-tracked the commercial production of mushrooms which is worth mass attention. The present review discusses about the role, diversity, properties and commercial status of mushrooms that are being exploited by the cosmetic industry.

Domestication of a magic therapeutical wine glass fungus (Podoscypha petalodes) from Pakistan

The Podoscypha is a recognized therapeutically significant genus of mushrooms. A Podoscypha species under a Morus sp. Was found from the largest man-made forest Changa-Manga, Kasur during the exploration of fungal flora of Pakistan. Detailed morpho-anatomical and phylogenetic analysis identified it as P. petalodes, a part of common native flora of many regions of the world like Pakistan. The culturabilty and cultivation potential of this fungus was assessed for the first time using different media and substrates. Maximum cultural growth was observed on the Compost Extract Agar (CEA) medium at 28 °C. Mycelium of cultured strains on CEA medium was used for the spawn production on wheat, sorghum and barley grains. Cultivation potential in the form of spawn running period, harvesting time duration and yield was investigated on variety of substrates. A mixed substrate of sawdust and tea waste at 28 °C showed the optimum yield. Tea-waste was used as the casing material in all substrates and proved very effective. These results depicted that Podoscypha petalodes possesses the cultivation potential. Its cultivation on large scale can solve the major health concerns of the growing population. It would provide the people easy accessibility of economical, effective and natural medicine throughout the year that restrict in case of only natural production at specific time of the year.

Hericium ophelieae sp. nov., a novel species of Hericium (Basidiomycota: Russulales, Hericiaceae) from the Southern Afrotemperate forests of South Africa

ABSTRACT A novel species of Hericium was recently collected in the Afrotemperate forests (Knysna – Amatole region) of Southern Africa. The novel species shares many similar, dentate features common to other species in Hericium, and its basidiome first appears stark white and yellows with age. However, the substrate choice and gloeocystidia and basidiospore sizes of the specimens collected were distinct from other Hericium species. This was confirmed by sequencing the ITS and 28S genetic markers, respectively. The novel species is described as Hericium ophelieae sp. nov. and appears unique as it grows on hardwoods indigenous to Southern Africa. The species has larger basidiospores and wider gloeocystidia compared to its closest relative. H. ophelieae sp. nov. is the first endemic species of the medicinal mushroom genus Hericium to be described from Southern Africa, and the second to be described from Africa, after its closest relative, H. bembedjaense, which was isolated in Cameroon. Although this is the first Hericium to be described from the Southern African region, there are likely others to be discovered, and this study highlights the need for further research into the fungal diversity of Afrotemperate environments.

Antimicrobial Activities of Ganoderma mbrekobenum Strain EGDA (Agaricomycetes) from Egypt.

Ganoderma is a well-known genus of medicinal mushrooms. The biological activity of the fruiting bodies of G. mbrekobenum (previously identified as Ganoderma sp. EGDA, (AC: LN774971) is scarcely studied. The microorganisms including bacteria and fungi were chosen for screening of the antimicrobial activity produced by G. mbrekobenum strain EGDA. The bioactive compounds were extracted from aqueous, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts. The higher antibacterial activity produced by methanol extract was against Bacillus subtilis and B. cereus (14.13 ± 0.12 mm, 13.03 ± 0.12 mm, respectively). Water fraction showed antibacterial effect against most of the test bacterial strains. The highest antifungal activity produced by methanol extract was against Fusarium oxysporum I and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (16.37 ± 0.03 mm 15.67 ± 0.19 mm, respectively). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the separated fractions revealed the identification of 46 compounds.

Culturability, Cultivation Potential, and Element Analysis of the Culinary-Medicinal Cauliflower Mushroom Sparassis latifolia (Agaricomycetes) from Pakistan.

Sparassis Fr. is a recognized nutritionally and therapeutically significant genus of mushrooms. Its species has the potential to meet the nutritious and healthy food needs of the growing population but unfortunately due to their tough, laborious and undefined cultivation conditions, their domestication is very rare and not properly described before. In this study, first time the detailed culturabilty and cultivation potential of a wild S. latifolia species from Pakistan was evaluated. Among the different media used, maximum cultural growth was observed on pine needles extract agar (PEA) medium at 24°C. Cultured strains on PEA medium were used to spawn on wheat, sorghum and barley grains. Sorghum grains at 24°C were found as the best combination for spawn production of this mushroom. Total yield efficacy was investigated on a variety of substrates. A mixed substrate of Morus sawdust and pine sawdust at 20°C showed the optimum yield. Element analysis of wild and cultivated strain was carried out and revealed that this mushroom is enriched with macronutrients. These results showed that S. latifolia has great artificial growth potential. Its domestication can compete with commonly growing mushrooms in nutritional and pharmaceutical attributes.

Research Advances in Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities of Mushroom Genus Fungi

Research Advances in Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities of Mushroom Genus Fungi

Culture media used in the proliferation of edible mushrooms of the PLEUROTUS genus

The present work is carried out with the objective of defining the culture media referred by the literature for the proliferation of the Pleurotus genus of edible mushrooms and assessing their application in the conditions of Cuba. The diversity of this genus includes at least 30 species, among them, P. djamor, P. florida, P. pulmonaryius, P. sajor-cajou, P. citrinopileatus and P. ostreatus, for which it is necessary to investigate the properties of the media used in the cultivation of the genus. Their classifications are exposed, according to the nature of their ingredients, the growth promotion of various microorganisms and their purpose, as well as their use. The constituents and conditioning of culture media for edible mushrooms, the most frequent preparation methods used in the preservation of Pleurotus strains, and possible defects in them, caused by incorrect handling, contaminants, pests and diseases, are disclosed, as well as the consumption and marketing of mushrooms.