Turkey Tail Research Articles

Domestication of wild-growing Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) from Ethiopian forests on augmented agro-industrial byproducts

Despite being extensively studied as a white-rot fungus, there have been no efforts to explore and cultivate the high-yielding wild Trametes versicolor strains in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was initiated to assess the growth performance of T. versicolor on various growth media. Accordingly, ten substrates (S1–S10) were formulated by a combination of agro-industrial by-products that mainly constituted sugarcane wastes and animal manures. The effect of substrates on yields, biological efficiencies, and nutritional compositions was examined. The mushroom developed a white mycelium on the growth media. T. versicolor cultivated on the S5 blend, comprising 80% sugarcane bagasse, 12% horse manure, and 8% poultry manure, exhibited the most substantial fruiting body yield (158.33 g/500 g bag) and the highest biological efficiency (31.5%), with an optimal C:N ratio of 31:1. It has shown good mycelial growth, short colonization, and short pinhead formation time compared to other substrates. S7, lacking nitrogen supplementation, yielded low biological efficiency and fruiting bodies at 11.50% and 57.67%, respectively. The crude protein, fiber, low fat, and carbohydrate content ranged from 7.46 to 14.65%, 12.89 to 18.38%, 0.42 to 0.53%, and 48.75 to 66.75%, respectively. Notably, the highest nutritional values, excluding carbohydrates, were obtained from S5, while the sugarcane bagasse had the highest carbohydrate content among substrates. Consequently, S5 emerged as a suitable medium for cultivating wild T. versicolor mushrooms, particularly in regions abundant in poultry, horse manures, and sugarcane bagasse. Therefore, S5 represents an optimal substrate for T. versicolor cultivation, offering improved productivity and nutritional quality at reduced costs.

Toxicological study on ibuprofen and selenium in freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis and exploring the microbial cytochrome through modelling and quantum mechanics approaches for its toxicity degradation in contaminated environment

Toxicological stress in aquatic organisms is caused by the discharge of hundreds of toxic pollutants and contaminants among which the current study concentrates on the toxic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBF) and the trace element selenium (Se). In this study, IBF and Se toxicity on freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis was studied for 14 days, and in silico predictions for their degradation were made using Molecular modelling and Quantum Mechanical approaches. The degrading propensity of cytochrome c oxidase proteins from Trametes verticillatus and Thauera selenatis (Turkey tail fungi and Gram-negative bacteria) is examined into atom level. The results of molecular modelling study indicate that ionic interactions occur in the T. selenatis-HEME bound complex by Se interacting directly with HEME, and in the T. versicolor-HEME bound complex by IBF bound to a nearby region of HEME. Experimental and theoretical findings suggest that, the toxicological effects of Se and IBF pollution can be reduced by bioremediation with special emphasis on T. versicolor, and T. selenatis, which can effectively interact with Se and IBF present in the environment and degrade them. Besides, this is the first time in freshwater mussel L. marginalis that ibuprofen and selenium toxicity have been studied utilizing both experimental and computational methodologies for their bioremediation study.

Assessment of Metal Elements and Biochemical Constituents of Wild Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) Mushrooms Collected from the Shivalik Foothills of the Himalayas, India

Wild medicinal mushrooms are known to contain significant amounts of essential biochemical compounds with potential health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the metal elements and biochemical constituents of wild turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) mushrooms collected from the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas, India. Mushroom samples were purposefully collected from eleven (11) sampling sites located in three (3) districts of North Indian states (Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand). The results of this study indicated that wild T. versicolor showed the presence of eight metal elements (Cd: 0.011–0.139, Cr: 0.225–0.680, Cu: 1.073–3.108, Fe: 4.273–8.467, Mn: 2.157–3.892, Zn: 3.069–4.478, Ni: 0.065–0.186, and Co: 0.035–0.120 mg/kg). The samples also showed a significant presence of total phenolics (51.81–70.13 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (9.02–14.01 mg QE/mg), lycopene (0.02–0.08 mg/g), and β-carotene (0.31–0.72 mg/g). The proximate analysis also showed that T. versicolor is a good source of carbohydrate (38.33%–41.94%), protein (8.12%–11.06%), fat (0.93%–1.26%), moisture (63.80%–70.64%), dietary fiber (9.59%–14.30%), and total ash (2.42%–3.48%). In addition, gas chromatography (GC-FID) analysis revealed the presence of the five most dominant fatty acids, including linoleic acid (18:2n6c), palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (18:1n9c), linolenic acid (18:3n3), and stearic acid (C18:0). Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were helpful in identifying variations and similarities among different constituents of T. versicolor at selected sampling sites. Due to its low metal element content and rich biochemical profile, T. versicolor was highlighted in this research for its significant potential as a functional food or nutraceutical ingredient. This work promotes its sustainable use in the healthcare and food industries and lays the groundwork for further research into its therapeutic applications.

Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production-A Review.

Medicinal mushrooms, e.g., Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers.), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst.), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát), Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones and Spatafora), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler), and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd), are considered new-generation foods and are of growing interest to consumers. They are characterised by a high content of biologically active compounds, including (1,3)(1,6)-β-d-glucans, which are classified as dietary fibre, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and sterols. Thanks to their low-fat content, they are a low-calorie product and are classified as a functional food. They have a beneficial effect on the organism through the improvement of its overall health and nutritional level. The biologically active constituents contained in medicinal mushrooms exhibit anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, these mushrooms accelerate metabolism, help fight obesity, and slow down the ageing processes thanks to their high antioxidant activity. The vast therapeutic properties of mushrooms are still not fully understood. Detailed mechanisms of the effects of medicinal mushrooms on the human organism still require long-term clinical studies to confirm their nutraceutical effects, their safety of use, and their dosage. Medicinal mushrooms have great potential to be used in the design of innovative functional foods. There is a need for further research on the possibility of incorporating mushrooms into food products to assess the interactions of their bioactive substances with ingredients in the food matrix. This review focuses on the properties of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects on the human organism and presents current knowledge on the possibilities of their use in the production of functional foods.

Construction, characterization and biological applications of catechin-turkey tail polysaccharide-folic acid magnetic nanoparticles

A magnetic nanocarrier was successfully prepared with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), turkey tail polysaccharide and folic acid and then catechin was loaded on this carrier. Radical scavenging activity of catechin loaded MNPs was evaluated via DPPH method (IC50: 1.41 mg/mL). Synthesized Fe3O4 MNPs is hemocompatible with negligible hemolytic effects. The results of cytotoxic effects of synthesized MNPs toward normal fibroblast cells clearly demonstrate that the catechin loaded MNPs were safe and biocompatible. Furthermore, the anticancer activity on MCF-7 cancer cells was indicated by MTT test. The results demonstrated that prepared MNPs have the cytotoxic effects toward MCF-7 comparison with normal fibroblast cell lines.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom extract

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection continues to rise globally in humans and animals with high socioeconomic and public health challenges. Current medications used against T. gondii infection are limited in efficacy, safety, and affordability. This research was conducted to assess the higher fungi extract effect on T. gondii tachyzoites growth in vitro and possibly decipher its mechanism of action. Furthermore, we evaluated the extract's effect on human foreskin fibroblast viability. The methanol extracts of Turkey tail (TT) mushroom was tested against T. gondii tachyzoites growth using an RH-RFP type I strain that expresses red fluorescent protein throughout culture in a dose-dependent manner using a fluorescent plate reader. Similarly, we tested the effect of the extract on host cell viability. We observed that TT extract inhibited tachyzoites growth with a 50% minimum inhibitory concentration (IC50s), IC50 = 5.98 ± 1.22 µg/mL, and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50s), CC50 ≥ 100 µg/mL. It was discovered that TT extract induced strong mitochondria superoxide and reactive oxygen species production and disrupted mitochondria membrane potential in T. gondii tachyzoites. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy depicted that TT extract and pyrimethamine (PY) caused a morphological deformation of tachyzoites in vitro. In conclusion, TT methanol extract made up of phytosterols, bioactive sphingolipids, peptides, phenolic acids, and lactones could be a promising source of new compounds for the future development of anti-Toxoplasma gondii drugs. Extracts were non-cytotoxic, even at higher concentrations.

Therapeutic Effects of Medicinal Mushrooms on Gastric, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality globally. With anticancer medications causing severe adverse effects, understanding the role of alternative and efficacious anticancer treatments with minimal or no side effects can be beneficial. Edible mushrooms have been associated with certain health benefits and exhibit a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities. The anticancer potential of different mushrooms is now being tested. The goal of this scoping review was to discuss the most recent and available evidence on the therapeutic uses of medicinal mushrooms in cancer treatment, specifically those cancers with some of the highest mortality rates (i.e., gastric, breast, and colorectal cancer).Randomly controlled trials, clinical trials, and retrospective cohort studies (with placebo group) with human subjects published between 2012-2023 were searched using the databases Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), and Alt HealthWatch. The initial search yielded 2,202 articles. After removing 853 duplicate citations, 1,349 articles remained and were screened for study eligibility and accessibility, leaving 26 articles. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were then used to assess the remaining 26 full-text articles and nine articles were selected for the final review. The characteristics of the nine studies reported the efficacy of medicinal mushrooms Lentinus edodes (Shiitake), Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail), and Agaricus Sylvaticus (Scaly Wood), in treating symptoms, medication side effects, anti-tumor effects, and survival outcomes in gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers. Findings from this review suggest that medicinal mushrooms have the potential to prevent lymph node metastasis, prolong overall survival, decrease chemotherapy-induced side effects (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting), affect the immune system, and help maintain immune function and quality of life in patients with certain cancers. More research is needed with human subjects using RCTs with larger samples to ensure accurate outcomes and ascertain the most efficacious dosages.

Detection of Mitogenic and Genotoxic Effects of the Turkey Tail Medicinal Mushroom (Trametes versicolor, Agaricomycetes) Extracts from Mexico on Human Lymphocyte Cultures

Diseases caused by a compromised immune system, characterized by decreased production and diversification of T lymphocytes, such as immunodeficiencies or chronic infections, are becoming increasingly prominent. These diseases lead to increased vulnerability to infections caused by parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. According to various articles, <i>Trametes versicolor</i> has been used as immunotherapy and cancer treatment due to its polysaccharides, which have shown their value in traditional medicine. However, most of the studies have been done with Asian samples. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of samples of Mexican <i>T. versicolor</i> on human lymphoid cells. Of various extracts, the one with the best T cell proliferative response was the extract produced by maceration in water at room temperature, but all treatments in aqueous and ethanolic extracts increased the lymphocyte count, showing that extracts of Mexican <i>T. versicolor</i> also have compounds that stimulate T cells. Unfortunately, genetic damage expressed as an increment in micronuclei count was identified, so using these fungus extracts in traditional medicine would require careful control of recommended doses.

Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used to improve survival in colorectal cancer but adverse effects can be a problem. Severe adverse effects may result in dose reduction or cessation of treatment, which have an impact on survival. Coriolus versicolor (Trametes versicolor or 'Turkey Tail') mushroom and its extracts have been used by cancer patients to help with adverse effects. To assess the effects of adjunctive Coriolus versicolor (Trametes versicolor) and its extracts on adverse effects and on survival during colorectal cancer treatment (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) compared with no adjunctive treatment. We searched databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, AMED and CINAHL, Chinese and Japanese databases, and trials registers to 12th April 2022 without restriction of language or publication status. We screened reference lists and attempted to contact researchers in the field to identify additional studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy and safety of Coriolus versicolor and its extracts in adult participants with a confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer, in addition to conventional treatment. Interventions included any preparation of Coriolus versicolor (raw, decoction, capsule, tablet, tincture, extract, injection), any part of the fungus (cap, stem, mycelium or whole), in any dose or regimen. Outcomes included adverse events rates, survival, disease progression and recurrence, response rates and quality of life. Two review authors independently screened and selected studies, extracted outcome data, and assessed risk of bias. We evaluated the overall certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. We included seven parallel RCTs (1569 participants). Six studies (1516 participants) were conducted in Japan and one study (53 participants) in China. Studies included both male and female participants with colorectal cancer (five studies), colon cancer (one study) or rectal cancer (one study). Participants were diagnosed with cancer ranging from stage II to stage IV. Coriolus was used in the form of an extract in all seven studies and was generally used after curative resection, although in one study it was used preoperatively. Duration of treatment with the extract varied between four weeks and three years. Chemotherapeutic regimens in six studies consisted of an oral fluoropyrimidine which was preceded by weekly intravenous 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in one study, by mitomycin C in two studies, and which was combined with folinic acid (Leucovorin) in two studies and with radiotherapy preoperatively in one study. XELOX (oxaliplatin intravenous infusion and capecitabine) was used in the remaining study. We found very low-certainty evidence of little to no effect of adjunctive treatment with Coriolus (in the form of an extract, polysaccharide-Krestin, PSK) on withdrawal from treatment due to adverse events (risk ratio (RR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 2.34; 703 participants; 3 studies;). We are uncertain whether adjunctive Coriolus versicolor and its extracts compared to usual care alone resulted in a difference in adverse events including neutropenia (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.71; 133 participants; 3 studies; very low certainty), oral cavity disorders such as oral dryness and mucositis (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.03; 1022 participants; 5 studies; very low certainty), nausea (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.22; 969 participants; 4 studies; very low certainty), diarrhoea (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.86; 1022 participants; 5 studies; very low certainty), and fatigue (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.33 to 1.78; 133 participants; 3 studies; very low certainty). We found low-certainty evidence of a small effect of adjunctive Coriolus on improved survival at five years compared with no adjunctive care (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15; 1094 participants; 3 studies; number needed to benefit (NNTB) = 16 (95% Cl 9 to 70). The effect at earlier time points was unclear. Due to the very low certainty of evidence, we were uncertain about the effect of adjunctive Coriolus (in the form of an extract PSK) on adverse events resulting from conventional chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. This includes effects on withdrawal of treatment due to adverse events and on specific adverse outcomes such as neutropenia and nausea. The uncertainty in the evidence also means that it was unclear whether any adverse events were due to the chemotherapy or to the extract itself. While there was low-certainty evidence of a small effect on overall survival at five years, the influence of reduced adverse effects on this could not be determined. In addition, chemotherapy regimens used in assessing this outcome do not reflect current preferred practice.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effects of Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd Extracts in Different Solvents

Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd known as turkey tail, is a medicinal mushroom belonging to the Polyporaceae. Although the consumption and commercial sale of this mushroom in our country is new, it has been used for centuries as a medicine in some countries, especially in China. In this study, it was aimed to determine the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of ethanol and methanol extracts of T. versicolor. Its antimicrobial effects were determined by disk diffusion and microdilution method using pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Trichophyton sp. Total antioxidant level, total oxidant level and DPPH radical scavenging capacity were detected for the antioxidant activity of the mushroom. According to the results obtained, it was seen that these extracts inhibit the growth of microorganisms at different rates (10-21 mm) according to the disk diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of T. versicolor against microorganisms used were determined to be between 62.5-250 µg/mL. The TAS and TOS values of the methanol extract were 0.72 mmol Trolox Equiv./L and 18.39, respectively, the TAS and TOS values of the ethanol extract were detected 0.88 mmol Trolox Equiv./L and 16.71 μmol H2O2 Equiv./L, respectively.

Does turkey tail as an adjuvant therapy improve the quality of life of canine lymphoma patients?

PICO question
 In canine lymphoma, does the supplement of turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) as an adjuvant therapy lead to a better quality of life than those that do not?
 
 Clinical bottom line
 Category of research question
 Treatment
 The number and type of study designs reviewed
 One prospective case series was critically appraised
 Strength of evidence
 Very weak
 Outcomes reported
 The case series assessed appetite and activity level of the canine lymphoma patients. They also measured gastrointestinal toxicity and the incidence of neutropenia
 Conclusion
 This prospective case series is insufficient to support the use of turkey tail to enhance the quality of life of canine lymphoma patients. A controlled study is required to evaluate whether the use of turkey tail supplement is useful
 
 How to apply this evidence in practice
 The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources.
 Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.
 

Comparison of antioxidant activity and extraction techniques for commercially and laboratory prepared extracts from six mushroom species

Mushrooms are a potent source of dietary antioxidants and are often marketed for their capability of decreasing oxidative stress and preventing diseases. To date, however, little research has been done on the antioxidant activity of commercially available mushroom extractions, or their stability over time. Herein, the antioxidant capacity of six commercially available mushroom tinctures (hydro-alcoholic extracts of chaga, maitake, shiitake, reishi, lion's mane, and turkey tail) were evaluated using a panel of five antioxidant assays: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), Nanoceria Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (NanoCerac), DPPH radical scavenging, Total Phenolic Content (TPC), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). Commercial samples were compared to our own laboratory preparations of the same species, in a preliminary assessment of extraction technique and antioxidant stability. Mushroom extracts exhibited different antioxidant capacities depending on species and extraction method (e.g., 0.023 to 0.63 μmol TE/mg for commercial ORAC vs. 0.05 to 1.8 μmol TE/mg for laboratory ORAC for all species). In all cases, laboratory extracts exhibited considerably higher antioxidant activities than commercial extracts. In both extract types, chaga and maitake consistently demonstrated higher antioxidant activity than the other mushrooms. Preliminary antioxidant stability testing of our samples revealed stable ORAC values for one month at room temperature, followed by a 48% decrease after 4 months. Our results provide important insights regarding the effects of extraction techniques and storage conditions, on the antioxidant activity in mushroom extracts, particularly those made and sold commercially.

Caveats of fungal barcoding: a case study in Trametes s.lat. (Basidiomycota: Polyporales) in Vietnam reveals multiple issues with mislabelled reference sequences and calls for third-party annotations

DNA barcoding using the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) has become prevalent in surveys of fungal diversity. This approach is, however, associated with numerous caveats, including the desire for speed, rather than accuracy, through the use of automated analytical pipelines, and the shortcomings of reference sequence repositories. Here we use the case of a specimen of the bracket fungus Trametes s.lat. (which includes the common and widespread turkey tail, T. versicolor) to illustrate these problems. The material was collected in Vietnam as part of a biodiversity inventory including DNA barcoding approaches for arthropods, plants and fungi. The ITS barcoding sequence of the query taxon was compared against reference sequences in GenBank and the curated fungal ITS database UNITE, using BLASTn and MegaBLAST, and was subsequently analysed in a multiple alignment-based phylogenetic context through a maximum likelihood tree including related sequences. Our results initially indicated issues with BLAST searches, including the use of pairwise local alignments and sorting through Total score and E value, rather than Percentage identity, as major shortcomings of the DNA barcoding approach. However, after thorough analysis of the results, we concluded that the single most important problem of this approach was incorrect sequence labelling, calling for the implementation of third-party annotations or analogous approaches in primary sequence repositories. In addition, this particular example revealed problems of improper fungal nomenclature, which required reinstatement of the genus name Cubamyces (= Leiotrametes), with three new combinations: C. flavidus, C. lactineus and C. menziesii. The latter was revealed as the correct identification of the query taxon, although the name did not appear among the best BLAST hits. While the best BLAST hits did correspond to the target taxon in terms of sequence data, their label names were misleading or unresolved, including [Fungal endophyte], [Uncultured fungus], Basidiomycota, Trametes cf. cubensis, Lenzites elegans and Geotrichum candidum (an unrelated ascomycetous contaminant). Our study demonstrates that accurate identification of fungi through molecular barcoding is currently not a fast-track approach that can be achieved through automated pipelines.Citation: Lucking R., Truong B. V., Huong D. T. T., Le N. H., Nguyen Q. D., Nguyen V. D., Raab-Straube E. von, Bollendorff S., Govers K. & Di Vincenzo V. 2020: Caveats of fungal barcoding: a case study in Trametes s.lat. (Basidiomycota: Polyporales) in Vietnam reveals multiple issues with mislabelled reference sequences and calls for third-party annotations. – Willdenowia 50: 383–403. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.50.50302Version of record first published online on 15 September 2020 ahead of inclusion in December 2020 issue.

Anionic congo red dye removal from aqueous medium using Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) fungal biomass: adsorption kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, reusability, and characterization

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), cheap fungal biomass (TTFB), was used for the adsorption of CR from aqueous medium. Batch studies conducted to study the effect of pH (2.0–10.0), agitation speed (50–400 rpm), contact time (0–180 min), adsorbate concentration (300 and 500 mg/L), and temperature (303–333 K). TTFB characterized by FTIR, BET, SEM, and pHpzc. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of CR on TTFB were 318.1, 368.4, 394.8, and 415.7 mg/g at 303, 313, 323, and 333 K, respectively. The adsorption of CR was pH-dependent and maximum adsorption attained at pH 2.0 at all temperatures. Adsorption kinetic data evaluated by using the PFO and PSO non-linear equations. The kinetic data perfectly illustrated by the PSO model with R 2 > 9935. Langmuir, Freundlich, D-R, and Temkin nonlinear isotherms applied for the experimental data, and it observed that the experimental data well fitted and found to be in good agreement with the Langmuir model (R 2 > 0.9961) as compared with another three models. The values of ΔG° (–3.4159 to −6.1149 kJ/mol), ΔH° (23.2 kJ/mol), and ΔS° (0.088 kJ/mol K) revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous, feasible and endothermic (ΔG° < 0, ΔS° > 0, and ΔH° > 0). The regeneration experiments indicated that the TTFB could successfully retain CR, even after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. The binding of CR onto the TTFB surface was through electrostatic interactions. Therefore, TTFB considered as highly recyclable and efficient adsorbent material for CR as it can easily separate from the aqueous phase.

The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro

BackgroundThe medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor (Tv, Turkey Tail) is often prepared for consumption as a powder from the fungal mycelium and the fermented substrate on which it grew. The goal for this study was to evaluate the immune-modulating properties of the mycelium versus the fermented substrate, to document whether an important part of the immune-activating effects resides in the metabolically fermented substrate.MethodsTv mycelium was cultured on rice flour. The mycelium and the fermented substrate were mechanically separated, dried, and milled. The initial substrate served as a control. Aqueous fractions were extracted and passed through 0.22-μm filters. The remaining solids were passed through homogenization spin columns without filtration. The aqueous and solid fractions of the initial substrate (IS), the fermented substrate (FS), and the Trametes versicolor mycelium (TvM) were tested for immune-activating and modulating activities on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures, to examine expression of the CD69 activation marker on lymphocytes versus monocytes, and on the T, NKT, and NK lymphocyte subsets. Culture supernatants were tested for cytokines using Luminex arrays.ResultsBoth aqueous and solid fractions of TvM triggered robust induction of CD69 on lymphocytes and monocytes, whereas FS only triggered minor induction of CD69, and IS had no activating effect. The aqueous extract of TvM had stronger activating effects than the solid fraction. In contrast, the solid fraction of IS triggered a reduction in CD69, below levels on untreated cells.Both aqueous and solid fractions of FS triggered large and dose-dependent increases in immune-activating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6), anti-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10), anti-viral cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-alpha (MIP-1α), as well as Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8). TvM triggered more modest cytokine increases. The aqueous extract of IS showed no effects, whereas the solid fraction showed modest effects on induction of cytokines and growth factors.ConclusionThe results demonstrated that the immune-activating bioactivity of a mycelial-based medicinal mushroom preparation is a combination of the mycelium itself (including insoluble beta-glucans, and also water-soluble components), and the highly bioactive, metabolically fermented substrate, not present in the initial substrate.

Acrylamide Content of Experimental Flatbreads Prepared from Potato, Quinoa, and Wheat Flours with Added Fruit and Vegetable Peels and Mushroom Powders.

Flatbreads are a major food consumed worldwide. To mitigate an undesirable safety aspect of flatbreads that might be associated with the potentially-toxic compound acrylamide, we recently developed recipes using a variety of grains that resulted in the production of low-acrylamide flatbreads. To further enhance the functionality of flatbreads, we have developed, in this work, new experimental flatbreads using potato, quinoa, and wheat flours supplemented with peel powders prepared from commercial nonorganic and organic fruits and vegetables (apples, cherry tomatoes, melons, oranges, pepino melons, sweet potato yams), potato peels, and mushroom powders (Lion’s Mane, Hericium erinaceus; Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum; and Turkey Tail, Trametes versicolor). These additives have all been reported to contain beneficial compositional and health properties. The results of fortification of the baked flatbreads showed either no effect or increases in acrylamide content by unknown mechanisms. Since the additives did not increase the acrylamide content of the quinoa flour flatbreads for the most part, such supplemented quinoa flatbreads have the potential to serve as a nutritional, gluten-free, low-acrylamide, health-promoting functional food. Mushroom powder-fortified wheat flatbreads with relatively low acrylamide content may also have health benefits.

Herbal Medicines as Adjuncts to Cancer Chemotherapy—Part 1: Immunomodulators

Abstract Immunomodulating herbs that have been studied in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer are reviewed in depth. Trametes versicolor (turkey tail, yun zhī) mushroom, formerly known as C...

Influence of Ficus carica and Olea europaea leaves extracts on the mycelial growth of mushrooms in vitro

The use of 20% plant leaves extracts included fig (Ficus carica) and olive (Olea europaea) and their mixture 1:1 as an amendment in the solid agar medium (PDA) is beneficial to promote the growth of four mycelial mushrooms. These are Pleurotus ostreatus (Grey oyster mushroom), Pleurotus cornucopiae (Yellow oyster mushroom), Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail mushroom), and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom). C. versicolor showed better growth reached 67 mm significantly (p < 0.05) on OC medium after five days. While, P. cornucopiae recorded the lowest growth on FC medium reached 35.3 mm. Induction percentage of mycelial growth is changing according to the type of medium and species of fungus. In general, FOH medium exhibited the best percentage of induction was 14.89%, followed 12.48% and 9.43% by OH and OC media, while the lower percentages were 5.02% and 5.12% on FH and FC media, respectively. FC medium did not induce growth of P. cornucopiae and C. versicolor. The sterilization by Autoclave and Millipore filter showed different induction percentages. Finally, the extracts of fig and olive were useful to add in the culture media to improve the growth of mycelial mushroom in vitro.

Isolation, Characterization and Biochemical Effects of the Different Polysaccharides from Trametes versicolor.

The phylum Basidomycetes is one of the largest group of fungi that are present in almost all the continents where life exists. They include both edible and non-edible mushrooms. The Trametes versicolor, commonly called Turkey Tail mushroom is one of the useful medicinal mushroom. We have discovered and identified a new species of Trametes versicolor mushroom from district Peshawar, Pakistan. This turkey tail mushroom has yellow, brown and black stripes and grow on the trunk of old Pistacia chinensis tree of the family Anacardiaceae during the monsoon season of July and August initially and after its collection we saw it regrowth in September and October. Due to the presence of anticancer polysaccharide K in its body, this specie has medicinal importance. We have isolated the The methanolic extract showed good antioxidant properties and have some biological effects. Currently we are purifying and characterizing the different polysaccharides obtained through the warm water method. Support or Funding Information We are thankful to Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan for their financial support. Trametes versicolor mushroom. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Biochemical and genetic basis of orsellinic acid biosynthesis and prenylation in a stereaceous basidiomycete

The prenylphenols are a class of natural products that have been frequently isolated from basidiomycetes, e.g., from the genus Stereum (false turkey tail fungi) and other Russulales as well as from ascomycetes. Biosynthetically, these compounds are considered hybrids, as the orsellinic acid moiety is a polyketide and the prenyl side chain originates from the terpene metabolism, although no literature on the genetic and biochemical background of the biosynthesis is available. In a stereaceous basidiomycete, referred to as BY1, a new prenylphenol, now termed cloquetin, was identified and its structure elucidated by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Genes for two non-reducing polyketide synthases (PKS1 and PKS2) were identified in the BY1 genome, and heterologously expressed in Aspergillus niger. Product formation identified both PKSs as orsellinic acid synthases. A putative prenyltransferase gene (BYPB) found in the BY1 genome was expressed in Escherichia coli. In vitro characterization showed that BYPB activity depends on bivalent cations and that it uses orsellinic acid as acceptor substrate for the transfer of a prenyl group. The two orsellinic acid synthases support the emerging notion that fungi secure individual metabolic steps or entire pathways by redundant enzymes.