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Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Molecular Biology, Cultivation, Active Compounds, Preservation and Processing

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A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 4317

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Guoqing Zhang

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Guest Editor

College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
Interests: cultivation techniques of edible fungi; the bioactive components of mushrooms; microbial enzymes; composting microorganisms; edible and medicinal mushrooms and their active component

Dr. Yingyin Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Sichuan Institute of Edible Fungi, Chengdu 610066, China
Interests: cultivation and resource utilization of edible fungi; cultivation physiology of edible fungi; bioactive compounds of fungi; quality assessment of edible fungi; preservation and processing of edible fungi

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Edible and medicinal mushrooms are not only delicious food but also rich in various bioactive compounds, which are highly favored worldwide. With remarkable advancements in agricultural science and biotechnology in recent years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved in multiple aspects, including novel mushroom varieties, new raw materials, innovative cultivation techniques, newly discovered active components, fermentation processes, and preservation and processing technologies.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the research advancements in the field of edible and medicinal mushrooms, with a particular focus on new varieties, technologies, innovations, challenges, and potential applications. Topics of interest include new techniques for the artificial cultivation of mycorrhizal edible mushrooms such as truffles, advancements in the artificial cultivation of edible mushrooms like morels, molecular breeding of edible and medicinal mushrooms based on genetic engineering technologies, the isolation, identification, and efficient extraction of bioactive components, new technologies for preservation and processing, and technologies for the efficient utilization of spent mushroom substrate.

Prof. Dr. Guoqing Zhang
Dr. Yingyin Xu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

edible mushrooms
medicinal mushrooms
bioactive compounds
functional omics
preservation and processing
cultivation techniques
spent mushroom substrate

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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17 pages, 2436 KB

Open AccessArticle

Stage-Specific Proteomic Insights into the Lignocellulolytic Machinery Associated with the Edible Fungus Lentinula edodes

by Ying Hu, Bilal Adil, Chutian Huang, Lin Yang, Yunfu Gu, Maoqiang He, Ke Zhao, Xiumei Yu, Qiang Chen and Quanju Xiang

Agriculture 2026, 16(8), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16080868 - 14 Apr 2026

Viewed by 504

Abstract

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, also known as Shiitake, is one of the most popular edible mushroom species containing high contents of polysaccharides, proteins and unique aroma, widely cultivated in China, Japan and Korea. A series of studies has been carried out on the extraction and active effect of the L. edodes polysaccharides, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the protein expression profiles during the whole life cycle are relatively unclear. This study employed an iTRAQ-MS/MS proteomic approach, combined with real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme activity assays, to systematically analyze the protein expression profiles and their relationship with lignocellulose degradation in L. edodes across four key developmental stages: mycelia (SF), brown film formation (BF), primordia (YF), and fruiting bodies (MF). A total of 2043 proteins were identified, with 1188 being differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that metabolic processes, carbohydrate metabolism, and related pathways were significantly active during development. The study specifically focused on carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), identifying 197 CAZyme proteins classified into 78 families. Key families such as glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and carbohydrate esterases (CEs) played crucial roles in lignocellulose degradation. The enzymatic activities of major lignin-degrading enzymes (laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase) were dynamically regulated across the developmental stages. qRT-PCR results largely corroborated the proteomic data, confirming the reliability of the protein expression profiles. This study provides a comprehensive, stage-resolved proteomic landscape of lignocellulose degradation during L. edodes development, revealing species-specific temporal dynamics, offering a valuable basis for understanding its growth and development, with implications for edible fungus cultivation and biomass conversion applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Molecular Biology, Cultivation, Active Compounds, Preservation and Processing)

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15 pages, 2547 KB

Open AccessArticle

Protein-Rich Supplements Improved the Agronomic and Nutritional Quality of Stropharia rugosoannulata

by Wei-Wei Zhang, Ya-Jing Zhao, Qing-Jun Chen, Xi-Shan Gong, Ding-Gao Xu, Jia-Shu Li, Nian-Zu Li, Shu-Ning You and Guo-Qing Zhang

Agriculture 2026, 16(3), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16030381 - 5 Feb 2026

Viewed by 472

Abstract

Stropharia rugosoannulata is efficiently cultivated using agricultural and forestry wastes, such as sawdust and straw, and has gained popularity in China for its rich nutrition and excellent taste. However, traditional cultivation methods, which lack nitrogen supplementation, often result in low yields and poor fruiting body quality. This study evaluated the effects of protein-rich supplements (PRSs)—feather meal (FM), soybean meal (SM), and their mixture (FS)—on substrate properties, yield, and nutritional quality. PRS significantly increased substrate total nitrogen (TN), reduced the C/N ratio, and improved fruiting body yield, with FM achieving the highest yield (6.80 kg·m⁻²). Moreover, FM and FS significantly enhanced the contents of crude fat, crude fiber, crude protein, crude polysaccharides, total amino acids (TAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs), and umami amino acids (p < 0.05). Additionally, FS significantly enhanced antioxidant activity and 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity of crude polysaccharides (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the potential of PRS to optimize S. rugosoannulata cultivation, offering a cost-effective strategy to improve commercial production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Molecular Biology, Cultivation, Active Compounds, Preservation and Processing)

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16 pages, 2218 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Metabolomics Reveals the Biochemical Basis of Stipe Textural Gradient in Flammulina filiformis

by Xueqin Shu, Qian Dong, Qian Zhang, Jie Zhou, Chenchen Meng, Shilin Zhang, Sijun Long, Xun Liu, Bo Wang and Weihong Peng

Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020276 - 22 Jan 2026

Viewed by 471

Abstract

Flammulina filiformis is a widely cultivated edible mushroom valued for its taste and nutrition. However, its stipe often develops a fibrous and stringy texture that unpleasantly lodges between teeth during chewing. Texture analysis confirmed a distinct toughness gradient, with the upper stipe being more brittle and less tough than the lower part. UHPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics of these regions identified 953 metabolites, predominantly spanning lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, and nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues. Comparative analysis revealed that the tender upper stipe was characterized by a widespread downregulation of primary metabolites, including severe depletion of key signaling molecules (cAMP, cGMP) and amino acids such as L-tryptophan. In contrast, the tough lower stipe was enriched with metabolites indicative of an oxidative environment, notably a broad spectrum of oxidized lipids and phenolic compounds. KEGG pathway analysis attributed this dichotomy to distinct metabolic programs. While the upper stipe exhibited downregulation in tryptophan and purine metabolism, the lower stipe was enriched for pathways associated with redox homeostasis and lipid peroxidation, including glutathione metabolism and lipid peroxidation. The co-accumulation of oxidized lipids and phenolics suggests a potential mechanism for oxidation-driven tissue fortification. This study reveals a spatially programmed metabolic basis for the textural differentiation in F. filiformis stipes, providing a framework for understanding tissue development and highlighting potential regulatory targets for breeding varieties with improved eating quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Molecular Biology, Cultivation, Active Compounds, Preservation and Processing)

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19 pages, 8777 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of PpZCP11 as a Key Regulator of Primordium Formation in Pleurotus pulmonarius

by Chunxia Wang, Zhaopeng Ge, Wenchao Li, Chao Li, Liudan Wang, Mengfei Chen, Yining Li and Suyue Zheng

Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020211 - 14 Jan 2026

Viewed by 500

Abstract

Pleurotus pulmonarius is a high-value, commercially cultivated edible fungus whose primordium formation is a critical phase for yield and commercial value. To better understand the developmental processes of P. pulmonarius, samples from four key developmental stages were collected and subjected to transcriptome analysis. A total of 6530 DEGs were identified, including 50 transcription factors from 10 families. Among these, the PpZCP11 gene, encoding a Zn₂Cys₆ transcription factor, was found to be specifically highly expressed during the primordium stage. We cloned PpZCP11 gene and confirmed its nuclear localization. The OE-PpZCP11 strains produced abundant primordia, while primordium formation in the RNAi-PpZCP11 strains was severely suppressed. Moreover, RNA-seq and yeast-one-hybrid analysis suggested that PpZCP11 may regulate cell wall synthesis. These findings indicate that the PpZCP11 transcription factor acts as a positive regulator of primordium formation by regulating the expression of cell wall-related genes. This study provides a theoretical reference for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying primordium formation in P. pulmonarius. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Molecular Biology, Cultivation, Active Compounds, Preservation and Processing)

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15 pages, 2168 KB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Giant Mimosa Stalk to Produce Effective Stick Spawn for Reducing Inoculum Costs in Economic Mushroom Farming Systems

by Orlavanh Xayyavong, Worawoot Aiduang, Kritsana Jatuwong and Saisamorn Lumyong

Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151584 - 23 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1230 | Correction

Abstract

The high cost of mushroom spawn remains a critical constraint to economically viable mushroom cultivation, particularly for small-scale farmers. This study investigated four spawn types, including stick (giant mimosa stalks, GMS), sawdust, sorghum, and liquid culture as inoculum sources for 10 edible mushroom species. The results indicated that GMS stick spawn provides excellent conditions for the mycelial growth of seven species, outperforming other spawn types in terms of colonization rate and pinhead formation. Mushrooms grown on GMS substrate demonstrated rapid development, with full colonization occurring within 11 to 26 days and pinhead initiation between 18 and 47 days, depending on the species. Among the mushroom species tested, Schizophyllum commune exhibited the fastest growth, reaching full colonization in 11 days and forming pinheads after 18 days of inoculation. In comparison, Auricularia polytricha showed the slowest development. Economically, GMS spawn was the most cost-effective at 0.074 USD per unit, significantly lower than sawdust (0.24 USD), sorghum (0.29 USD), and potato dextrose broth (PDB; 2.80 USD). The conversion from PDB with GMS could reduce industrial inoculum costs from 35,000 USD to 600 USD annually. These findings demonstrate the potential of GMS as an effective, low-cost, and sustainable spawn option that can enhance mycelial growth and support eco-friendly farming practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Molecular Biology, Cultivation, Active Compounds, Preservation and Processing)

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