Russula Griseocarnosa Research Articles

Harvest and trade of wild edible russula griseocarnosa in North Vietnam

This study examines the harvest and trade of wild edible Russula griseocarnosa in north Vietnam. Russula griseocarnosa is an edible forest mushroom, but there is no reliable information on harvesting practices and trade in this species in Vietnam. This study aims to provide ethnomycological and marketing knowledge for this mushroom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mushroom collectors and traders over 2 years; harvest yields were obtained from local officials; and policy settings were sought from forest managers. About 85% of mushroom collectors were women of the Dao, Lo Ursula, Muong, Nung, Mong, San Chi, San Diu, and Tay ethnicities. The collecting season was bimodal, with the wet season beginning (May) and ending (September). The traders were Hoa, Kinh, Nung and Tay, and 57% were women. Fresh mushrooms sold for 9.1-10.5 US$/kg on dry days and 7.0-7.9 US$/kg on wet days. The best grade of dried product fetched 70.4-83.3 US$/kg. A number of interim policies have been established to encourage local people to protect forests and to help create a sustainable edible wild mushroom market. Our study provides the first detailed account of the role of edible wild mushrooms in northeast Vietnam, and this will inform the co-development of rural livelihood and sustainable forest management plans.

Nutritional value of edible Russula griseocarnosa in Vietnam

This study examines the nutritional value of edible Russula griseocarnosa in Vietnam. Russula griseocarnosa is a popular edible wild mushroom in northern Vietnam, where it is consumed locally or exported to China. Future market development and increased trade in Russula griseocarnosa require information on the composition and quality of mushrooms being harvested from the wild. As the nutritional value of this mushroom has not been documented, mushrooms were collected from secondary forests in Bac Giang and Cao Bang provinces, and primary forests in Quang Ninh province for determining the proximate and mineral contents. We dried the mushrooms and sequentially measured the proximate content using standard protocols. For mineral content, the mushroom powder was acid digested and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The study found that Russula griseocarnosa in Vietnam contained 18-29% protein, 57-68% carbohydrate, 8.7-13.7% crude fiber, 0.8-2.1% crude fat, and 0.9-1.1% ash, and has high mineral content (mg/kg dry weight) of K (19,836-24,966), P (2,631-3,335), Ca (573-1,530), Mg (350-636), Fe (143-836), Zn (60-93), and Cu (31-42). The data in this study can be used in establishing official product brands of Russula griseocarnosa, which could improve the livelihood of local people who are dependent on non-wood forest products. Further studies should explore the market chain and mushroom product opportunities, the livelihood of rural households, and the sustainability of harvesting wild mushrooms.

Exploring the Potential of Russula griseocarnosa: A Molecular Ecology Perspective

Russula griseocarnosa, an edible and medicinal mushroom abundant in nutrients and notable bioactivities, is predominantly grown in the broad-leaved forest with trees of the family Fagaceae in southern China. This species forms ectomycorrhizal associations with plant roots and cannot be artificially cultivated currently. Previous research indicates a strong correlation between the growth of R. griseocarnosa and factors such as the host plant, climate variables (specifically mean temperature and precipitation from June to October), and the rhizosphere microbiota of its habitat. However, comprehensive studies on the fundamental biology of this species are lacking. The interaction between R. griseocarnosa and its host plant, as well as the mechanisms underlying the microbial community dynamics within its habitat, remain ambiguous. The limited repertoire and diversity of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in R. griseocarnosa relative to saprophytic fungi may contribute to its recalcitrance to cultivation on synthetic media. The specific core enzyme and the substances provided by the host plant to facilitate growth are yet to be elucidated, posing a significant challenge in the artificial cultivation of R. griseocarnosa. The habitat of R. griseocarnosa harbours unique microbial communities, indicating the presence of potentially beneficial microorganisms that could be exploited for artificial propagation and conservation efforts. However, the lack of definitive functional verification experiments hinders the realization of this promising prospect. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the nutritional profile and health benefits of R. griseocarnosa, emphasizing recent developments in its isolation, molecular ecology, and artificial cultivation. Additionally, it explores prospective advancements in R. griseocarnosa research, aiming to enrich our foundational understanding for applied purposes and fostering progress in the realm of ectomycorrhizal edible mushrooms.

Structural properties of glucan from Russula griseocarnosa and its immunomodulatory activities mediated via T cell differentiation

The polysaccharide, RGP2, was isolated from Russula griseocarnosa and its immunostimulatory effects were confirmed in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice. Following purification via chromatography, structural analysis revealed that RGP2 had a molecular weight of 11.82 kDa and consisted of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), mannose, glucuronic acid and glucosamine. Bond structure analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance characterization confirmed that the main chain of RGP2 was formed by →6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→ and →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→, which was substituted at O-3 of →6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→ by β-D-Glcp-(1→. RGP2 was found to ameliorate pathological damage in the spleen and enhance immune cell activity in immunosuppressed mice. Based on combined multiomics analysis, RGP2 altered the abundance of immune-related microbiota (such as Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Bacteroides) in the gut and metabolites (uridine, leucine, and tryptophan) in the serum. Compared with immunosuppressed mice, RGP2 also restored the function of antigen-presenting cells, promoted the polarization of macrophages into the M1 phenotype, positively affected the differentiation of helper T cells, and inhibited regulatory T cell differentiation through the protein kinase B (AKT)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, ultimately exerting an immune boosting function. Overall, our findings highlight therapeutic strategies to alleviate CTX-induced immunosuppression in a clinical setting.

Structural characterization of Russula griseocarnosa polysaccharide and its improvement on hematopoietic function

The hematopoietic function of a polysaccharide derived from Russula griseocarnosa was demonstrated in K562 cells, and subsequently purified through chromatography to obtain RGP1. RGP1 is a galactan composed of 1,6-α-D-Galp as the main chain, with partial substitutions. A -CH3 substitution was detected at O-3 of 1,6-α-D-Galp. The possible branches at O-2 of 1,6-α-D-Galp was α-L-Fucp. In mice with cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced hematopoietic dysfunction, RGP1 alleviated bone marrow damage and multinucleated giant cell infiltration of the spleen, increased the number of long-term hematopoietic stem cells, and regulated the levels of myeloid cells in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, RGP1 promoted the differentiation of activated T cells and CD4+ T cells without affecting natural killer cells and B cells. Proteomic analysis, detection of cytokines, and western blotting revealed that RGP1 could alleviate hematopoietic dysfunction by promoting the activation of CD4+ T cells and the Janus kinase/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway. The present study provides experimental evidence to support the application of RGP1 in CTX-induced hematopoietic dysfunction.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF AN EDIBLE RUSSULA MUSHROOM IN NORTHEAST VIETNAM

Wild mushrooms are extensively gathered by rural communities throughout the uplands of northern Vietnam and nearby countries for food and medicine. These non-wood forest products are important for the livelihood of numerous rural communities. Many of these fungi form symbiotic relationships with the roots of certain species of forest trees, and the fruiting bodies can not be produced in artificial media. In the northeast region of the country, an edible red Russula (Nấm chẹo or Nấm hồng cô) has been harvested from under wild Castanopsis, Engelhardia and Lithocarpus trees by local people for a long time. However, the identity of this Russula is unknown. We collected basidiomes of this edible Russula in Cao Bang, Bac Giang and Quang Ninh provinces and described its morphological features. We used ITS rDNA and LSU rDNA sequence analysis to compare with other similar taxa in GenBank. Morphological and molecular analysis identified the taxon as Russula griseocarnosa, previously described from southern Yunnan, China. There is strong interest by local governments to commercialize R. griseocarnosa in Vietnam. However, over-harvesting could have detrimental effects on the population of this edible species. Therefore, further studies are needed to quantify the ecological requirements and to develop sustainable harvesting protocols of this edible species in Vietnam.

Whole genome sequencing of an edible and medicinal mushroom, Russula griseocarnosa, and its association with mycorrhizal characteristics.

Russula griseocarnosa is a well-known ectomycorrhizal mushroom, which is mainly distributed in the Southern China. Although several scholars have attempted to isolate and cultivate fungal strains, no accurate method for culture of artificial fruiting bodies has been presented owing to difficulties associated with mycelium growth on artificial media. Herein, we sequenced R. griseocarnosa genome using the second- and third-generation sequencing technologies, followed by de novo assembly of high-throughput sequencing reads, and GeneMark-ES, BLAST, CAZy, and other databases were utilized for functional gene annotation. We also constructed a phylogenetic tree using different species of fungi, and also conducted comparative genomics analysis of R. griseocarnosa against its four representative species. In addition, we evaluated the accuracy of one already sequenced genome of R. griseocarnosa based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing of that type of species. The assembly process resulted in identification of 230 scaffolds with a total genome size of 50.67 Mbp. The gene prediction showed that R. griseocarnosa genome included 14,229 coding sequences (CDs). In addition, 470 RNAs were predicted with 155 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 49 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 41 small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs), 42 small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), and 183 microRNAs (miRNAs). The predicted protein sequences of R. griseocarnosa were analyzed to indicate the existence of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), and the results revealed that 153 genes encoded CAZymes, which were distributed in 58 CAZyme families. These enzymes included 78 glycoside hydrolases (GHs), 34 glycosyl transferases (GTs), 30 auxiliary activities (AAs), 2 carbohydrate esterases (CEs), 8 carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), and only one polysaccharide lyase (PL). Compared with other fungi, R. griseocarnosa had fewer CAZymes, and the number and distribution of CAZymes were similar to other mycorrhizal fungi, such as Tricholoma matsutake and Suillus luteus. Well-defined effector proteins that were associated with mycorrhiza-induced small-secreted proteins (MiSSPs) were not found in R. griseocarnosa, which indicated that there may be some special effector proteins to interact with host plants in R. griseocarnosa. The genome of R. griseocarnosa may provide new insights into the energy metabolism of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, a reference to study ecosystem and evolutionary diversification of R. griseocarnosa, as well as promoting the study of artificial domestication.

Microbial community associated with ectomycorrhizal Russula symbiosis and dominated nature areas in southern China.

Russula griseocarnosa is one of the uncultivable important mycorrhizal edible fungi. Currently, there is a limited insight into the dynamic composition of the microbial communities associated with Russula. Here, the microbiota in the root and mycorrhizosphere from Russula-Fagaceae nature areas of Fujian province were identified by Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. First, we compared three types of fungal communities associated with Russula-Fagaceae root mycelia-running stage (stage-1), Russula sporocarping stage-2 (stage-2) and Russula-free Fagaceae root (stage-3). Fungal diversity negatively correlated with Russula. Russula, Tomentella and Lactarius were core EcM in Fagaceae roots. A total of eight genera, including Boletus, are likely a positive indicator of Russula sporocarp production in Russula-Fagaceae roots, while Tomentella and Elaphomyces for Russula symbiosis. Secondly, analysis of fungal and bacterial communities within rhizosphere soils from the three stages revealed six genera, including Dacryobolus and Acidocella, as possible indicator species associated with sporocarping in Russula. Elaphomyces, Tomentella, Sorangium, Acidicaldus, Acidobacterium and Haliangium occurred more frequently in the Russula rhizosphere. Furthermore, operational taxonomic unit (OTU) network analysis showed a positive correlation between Russula,Tomentella, Elaphomyces and Sorangium. Overall, our results revealed a relationship between micro-community and Russula, which may provide a new strategy for improving Russula symbiosis and sporocarp production.

Bacterial Community Selection of Russula griseocarnosa Mycosphere Soil.

Russula griseocarnosa is a wild, ectomycorrhizal, edible, and medicinal fungus with high economic value in southern China. R. griseocarnosa fruiting bodies cannot be artificially cultivated. To better understand the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on R. griseocarnosa growth, the physicochemical properties of R. griseocarnosa and its associated bacterial communities were investigated in two soil types (mycosphere and bulk soil) from Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi Provinces. The results revealed that the diversity, community structure, and functional characteristics of the dominant mycosphere bacteria in all geographical locations were similar. Soil pH and available nitrogen (AN) are the major factors influencing the mycosphere–soil bacterial communities’ structure. The diversity of soil bacteria is decreased in R. griseocarnosa mycosphere when compared with the bulk soil. Burkholderia-Paraburkholderia, Mycobacterium, Roseiarcus, Sorangium, Acidobacterium, and Singulisphaera may also be mycorrhiza helper bacteria (MHB) of R. griseocarnosa. The functional traits related to the two-component system, bacterial secretion system, tyrosine metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins were more abundant in R. griseocarnosa mycosphere soil. The mycosphere soil bacteria of R. griseocarnosa play a key role in R. griseocarnosa growth. Application of management strategies, such as N fertilizer and microbial fertilizer containing MHB, may promote the conservation, propagation promotion, and sustainable utilization of R. griseocarnosa.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a wild edible mushroom, Russula griseocarnosa

Russula griseocarnosa is a wild edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom in southern China. In this study, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of R. griseocarnosa. Its total length was 60995 bp with a GC content of 21% and contained a total of 52 genes, including 14 standard protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 21 tRNA genes and 15 free-standing open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis reflected that the evolutionary processes between R. griseocarnosa and some agaricomycetes.

Whole genome sequencing and genome annotation of the wild edible mushroom, Russula griseocarnosa

Russula griseocarnosa is a species of edible ectomycorrhizal fungi with medicinal properties that grows in southern China. Total DNA was isolated from a fresh fruiting body of R. griseocarnosa and subjected to sequencing using Illumina Hiseq with the PacBio RS sequencing platform. Here, we present the 64.81 Mb draft genome map of R. griseocarnosa based on 471 scaffolds and 16,128 coding protein genes. The gene annotation of protein coding genes was used to obtain corresponding annotations by blastp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship of R. griseocarnosa to Heterobasidion irregulare and Stereum hirsutum in the core Russulales clade. The R. griseocarnosa genome encodes a repertoire of enzymes engaged in carbohydrate and polysaccharide metabolism, along with cytochrome P450s and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The genome content of R. griseocarnosa provides insights into the genetic basis of its reported medicinal properties and serves as a reference for comparative genomics of fungi.

Immune-enhancing effects of a polysaccharide PRG1-1 from Russula griseocarnosa on RAW264.7 macrophage cells via the MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways

ABSTRACT Polysaccharides are one of many bioactive compounds found in edible mushrooms. Edible mushrooms have become attractive as “health foods” and as source materials for immunomodulators. The aim of this project was to study the immunoregulatory effects of a purified polysaccharide derived from wild Russula griseocarnosa (PRG1-1) on macrophages. Our data showed that in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, PRG1-1 increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, PRG1-1 increased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Western blotting demonstrated that the regulation of NO and cytokines was mediated through the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways. Therefore, PRG1-1 has the capacity to activate macrophages via the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. These findings helped to elucidate the immune-modulatory properties of the polysaccharide from R. griseocarnosa.

Purification, characterization and anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides extracted from wild Russula griseocarnosa

The anti-tumor activity of a novel polysaccharide, PRG1-1, obtained from Russula griseocarnosa sporocarp was investigated in this paper. PRG1-1 has a molecular weight of 630kDa and was extracted and purified using DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography from crude polysaccharide extract of R. griseocarnosa sporocarp. PRG1-1 was composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose and fructose, in a molar ratio of 66.5:29.2:3.17: 0.663:0.447, respectively. Purified PRG1-1 significantly reduced cell viability, increased the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enhanced the apoptotic rate in HeLa and SiHa cells. Furthermore, after 24h of PRG1-1 exposure the expression levels of cleaved PARP and caspase-3 were increased and mitochondrial cytochrome c was induced to release to the cytosol. Collectively, our results suggested that the cytotoxicity effects of PRG1-1 on human cervical carcinoma are associated with the apoptotic pathway. These data indicate the promising potential of bioactive PRG1-1 as natural agent to inhibit tumor cell proliferation in the treatment of cervical carcinoma.

Optimization extraction and bioactivities of polysaccharide from wild Russula griseocarnosa

The extraction conditions and biological activities of polysaccharides from wild Russula griseocarnosa (PRG) were investigated. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to optimize extraction conditions. The optimal extraction parameters of PRG were as follows: extracting time 4h, extraction temperature 77.3°C and liquid-solid ratio 42.5g/L. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that PRG exhibited antioxidant activities evidenced by reducing power to scavenge the DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical. PRG showed the activity of anti-cervical carcinoma cells Hela and Siha. In conclusion this study offered an efficient extraction method of wild Russula griseocarnosa polysaccharide, and the results suggested PRG had good antioxidant and inhibitory activities against cervical carcinoma cells, and PRG could be developed as a novel natural functional food.

Analysis of Free Amino Acids in Russula griseocarnosa Harvested at Different Stages of Maturity Using iTRAQ®-LC-MS/MS

Free amino acids are closely related to the savory taste and beneficial effects of mushrooms. A novel, sensitive, and selective LC-MS/MS method was developed on the simultaneous determination of 20 free protein amino acids as well as 22 non-protein amino acids in Russula griseocarnosa at different stages of maturity by stable isotope isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeled. The results indicated that the content of total free amino acids increased slightly from 19.88 mg/g dry weight (DW) at stage 1 to 20.57 mg/g DW at stage 2, and then dramatically decreased to 14.42 mg/g DW at stage 3. The MSG-like components, including aspartic and glutamic acids were downtrend with the development of fruiting bodies. The contents of monosodium glutamate-like components were in the range of 0.99–2.28 mg/g DW and lower than those of sweet components (2.61–4.35 mg/g DW) or bitter components (1.89–3.39 mg/g DW). Contents of total tasteless components fluctuated in the range of 0.37–0.61 mg/g DW. Glutamine, glutamic acid, and alanine were the most predominant protein amino acids occurring in the free form, and argininosuccinic acid, γ-amino-n-butyric acid, β-alanine, and L-ornithine were the most plentiful non-protein amino acids. Furthermore, it could be noted that the quantitative differences in free amino acids between individuals at the same stages of maturity become larger with the development of fruiting bodies. Our findings provide further evidence regarding the selection of appropriate stages of maturity of R. griseocarnosa for its nutritional value and beneficial effects.

Nitric oxide fumigation stimulates flavonoid and phenolic accumulation and enhances antioxidant activity of mushroom

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on antioxidant activity and contents of phenolics and flavonoids in mushroom Russula griseocarnosa were investigated. Freshly harvested mushrooms were fumigated with 0, 10, 20 and 30μLL−1 NO at 20°C for 2h and then taken to examine the antioxidant activities using assays of reducing power, chelating effect on ferrous ions, scavenging effect on hydroxyl free radicals, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the antioxidant activities of the mushrooms fumigated with NO were significantly increased when compared to the controls. Moreover, NO fumigation significantly enhanced phenolic and flavonoid contents and stimulated the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase. The results indicated that NO fumigation might have potential application for enhancing the bioactive compounds and improving antioxidant activities in the mushrooms. Furthermore, the data suggested that the NO-induced phenolic and flavonoid accumulation was due to the activation of the biosynthetic pathways in the mushrooms.

Genetic diversity of Dahongjun, the commercially important "Big Red Mushroom" from southern China.

BackgroundIn southern China, a wild ectomycorrhizal mushroom commonly called “Dahongjun” or “Big Red Mushroom” by the local residents, has been harvested, consumed, and/or exported as an exotic food for many years. Although ecologically and economically important, very little is known about this mushroom, including its diversity and population structure.Methodology and Principal FindingsIn this study, we analyzed 122 samples from five local populations representing the known distribution ranges of this mushroom in southern China. We investigated the genetic diversity and geographic structure of this mushroom using sequences from four DNA fragments. Our analyses identified that this mushroom contained at least three divergent lineages: one corresponds to a recently described species Russula griseocarnosa from southern China and the remaining two likely represent two novel species. While these lineages were prominently structured geographically based on ITS sequences, evidence for ancient and/or recent gene flow was also identified within individual lineages. In addition, a local population from Ailaoshan in central Yunnan Province where 85 of our 122 specimens came from showed clear evidence of recombination.Conclusion and SignificanceThe ectomycorrhizal mushroom “Dahongjun” from southern China is a species complex with at least three divergent lineages. These lineages are largely geographically structured and there is evidence for recombination in nature. Our results indicate mature Dahongjun mushrooms with abundant basidiospores are important for the reproduction of this mushroom in nature and that individual populations of this species should be managed separately.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Russula griseocarnosa sp. nov.

Pileus and stipe of mushroom Russula griseocarnosa from South China were analyzed separately for chemical composition and antioxidant activities. The wild mushroom species proved to have antioxidant potential, using assays of reducing power, chelating effect on ferrous ions, scavenging effect on hydroxyl free radicals, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The mushroom contained very useful phytochemicals such as phenolics, flavonoids, ergosterol, and beta-carotene. The phenolic composition of R. griseocarnosa was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major component in R. griseocarnosa was quercetin (95.82 microg/g). The combination of bioactive substances and rich nutritional composition (high contents in protein and carbohydrates, low content in fat) in the mushroom should be useful to consumers in encouraging them to utilize the nutritive potential of this edible wild mushroom.

Russula griseocarnosa sp. nov. (Russulaceae, Russulales), a commercially important edible mushroom in tropical China: mycorrhiza, phylogenetic position, and taxonomy

A new species, Russula griseocarnosa, which was popularly commercially collected as food and medicine and misnamed as European R. vinosa for a long time, is described from tropical China. The dark red sticky pileus, initially greyish context, white spore print, subglobose to ellipsoid basidiospores with high and acute warts, and the pileipellis without dermatocystidia make this new taxon well defined. It resembles R. vinosa in the greyish tinge of the context and the pileipellis structure, but differs from the latter in its white spore print, significantly higher spines on basidiospores, and growing in forests with Fagaceae rather than in coniferous forests. The molecular analysis, based on a combined ITS - nLSU-rDNA sequence data get, showed that R. griseocarnosa clustered with R. vinosa but is clearly distinct from the latter. The phylogenetic placement is further supported by its ectomycorrhizal morphology.