Search Results (1,004)

Wild edible mushrooms are increasingly recognised for their nutritional and therapeutic potential, owing to their richness in bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. This study assessed the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni) in Boletus edulis, Imleria badia, and Leccinum scabrum collected from two forested regions of north-western Poland differing in anthropogenic influence and soil characteristics. The analysis encompassed structural polysaccharides (β- and α-glucans, chitin), carotenoids, L-ascorbic acid, phenolic and organic acids. B. edulis exhibited the highest β-glucan and lycopene contents, but also the greatest cadmium accumulation. I. badia was distinguished by elevated ascorbic and citric acid levels and the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity, while L. scabrum showed the highest ABTS and FRAP antioxidant capacities and accumulated quinic acid and catechin. Principal component analysis indicated strong correlations between antioxidant activity and phenolic acids, while cadmium levels were inversely associated with antioxidant potential and positively correlated with chitin. Although all metal concentrations remained within EU food safety limits, B. edulis showed consistent cadmium bioaccumulation. From a practical perspective, the results highlight the importance of species selection and sourcing location when considering wild mushrooms for consumption or processing, particularly in the context of nutritional value and contaminant load. Importantly, regular or excessive consumption of B. edulis may result in exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) levels for cadmium and nickel, which warrants particular attention from a food safety perspective. These findings underscore the influence of species-specific traits and environmental conditions on mushroom biochemical profiles and support their potential as functional foods, provided that metal contents are adequately monitored. Full article

Over the years, macromycete fungi have been used as a source of food, part of religious rites and rituals, and as a medicinal remedy. Species with strong health-promoting potential include Hericium erinaceus, Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Flammulina velutipes, and Inonotus obliquus. These species contain many bioactive compounds, including β-glucans, endo- and exogenous amino acids, polyphenols, terpenoids, sterols, B vitamins, minerals, and lovastatin. The level of some biologically active substances is species-specific, e.g., hericenones and erinacines, which have neuroprotective properties, and supporting the production of nerve growth factor in the brain for Hericium erinaceus. Due to their high health-promoting potential, mushrooms and substances isolated from them have found applications in livestock nutrition, improving their welfare and productivity. This phenomenon may be of particular importance in the nutrition of laying hens and broiler chickens, where an increase in pathogen resistance to antibiotics has been observed in recent years. Gallus gallus domesticus is a key farm animal for meat and egg production, so the search for new compounds to support bird health is important for food safety. Studies conducted to date indicate that feed supplementation with mushrooms has a beneficial effect on, among other things, bird weight gain; bone mineralisation; and meat and egg quality, including the lipid profile and protein content and shell thickness, and promotes the development of beneficial microbiota, thereby increasing immunity. Full article

Enhancing the nutritional content of crops is crucial for safeguarding human health and mitigating global hunger. A viable method for attaining this goal is the planned implementation of various agronomic practices, including tillage and nutrient provision. A field experiment was executed at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gödöllő in the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The study aimed to assess the effects of foliar nutrient supply and soil tillage methods on the grain nutritional composition and mineral content of winter barley. Employing a split-plot design with three replications, the experiment included four nutrient treatments (control, bio-cereal, bio-algae, and MgSMnZn blend) and two soil tillage types (i.e., plowing and cultivator). The results indicated that while protein content was not influenced by the main effects of nutrients and tillage, the levels of β-glucan, starch, crude ash, and moisture content were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the nutrient treatments and by growing year, treated as a random factor. Notably, bio-algae and bio-cereal nutrients, combined with cultivator tillage, enhanced β-glucan content. All applied nutrient treatments increased the level of starch compared to the control. With regard to grain mineral content, the iron and zinc content responded to the nutrient supply, tillage, and growing year. However, applying a multiple-nutrient composition-based treatment did not increase iron and zinc levels, suggesting that individual applications may be more effective for increasing the content of these minerals in grains. Cultivator tillage improved iron and zinc levels. Moreover, manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) were predominantly affected by nutrient availability and by growing seasons as a random factor. Therefore, to improve grain quality, this study emphasizes the significance of proper nutrient and tillage methods by focusing on the intricate relationships between agronomic techniques and environmental factors that shape barley’s nutritional profile. Full article

Polysaccharides and phenols are commonly co-localized in various plant-derived foods, including highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.). The interactions between these compounds can influence multiple characteristics of food products, including their physicochemical properties and functional performance, such as bioavailability, stability, and digestibility, which may support promising application of the phenol and polysaccharide complex in health food industry. In this study, two complexes with potential existence in highland barley, such as β-glucan-ferulic acid (GF) and β-glucan-quercetin (GQ), were prepared using the equilibrium dialysis method in vitro. FTIR and SEM results showed that ferulic acid and quercetin formed complexes with β-glucan separately, with covalent and non-covalent bonds and a dense morphological structure. The pH value, reaction temperature, and concentration of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) were confirmed to have an impact on the formation and yield of the complex. Through the test of the response surface, it was found that the optimum conditions for GF and (GQ) preparations were a pH of 6.5 (6), a PBS buffer concentration of 0.08 mol/L (0.3 mol/L), and a temperature of 8 °C (20 °C). Through in vitro assays, GF and GQ were found to possess good antioxidant activity, with a greater scavenging effect of DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical than the individual phenolic acids and glucans, as well as their physical mixtures. Taking GF as an example, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity ranked as GF (71.74%) > ferulic acid (49.50%) > PGF (44.43%) > β-glucan (43.84%). Similar trends were observed for ABTS radical scavenging (GF: 54.56%; ferulic acid: 44.37%; PGF: 44.95%; β-glucan: 36.42%) and hydroxyl radical elimination (GF: 39.16%; ferulic acid: 33.06%; PGF: 35.51%; β-glucan: 35.47%). In conclusion, the convenient preparation method and excellent antioxidant effect of the phenol–polysaccharide complexes from highland barley provide new opportunities for industrial-scale production, development, and design of healthy food based on these complexes. Full article

Rye regeneration in anther cultures is problematic and affected by albino plants. DNA methylation changes linked to Cu²⁺ ions in the induction medium affect reprogramming microspores from gametophytic to sporophytic path. Alternations in S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), glutathione (GSH), or β-glucans and changes in DNA methylation in regenerants obtained under different in vitro culture conditions suggest a crucial role of biochemical pathways. Thus, understanding epigenetic and biochemical changes arising from the action of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ that participate in enzymatic complexes may stimulate progress in rye doubled haploid plant regeneration. The Methylation-Sensitive Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism approach was implemented to identify markers related to DNA methylation and sequence changes following the quantification of variation types, including symmetric and asymmetric sequence contexts. Reverse-Phase High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) connected with mass spectrometry was utilized to determine SAM, GSH, and glutathione disulfide, as well as phytohormones, and RP-HPLC with a fluorescence detector to study polyamines changes originating in rye regenerants due to Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺ presence in the induction medium. Multivariate and regression analysis revealed that regenerants derived from two lines treated with Cu²⁺ and those treated with Zn²⁺ formed distinct groups based on DNA sequence and methylation markers. Zn²⁺ treated and control samples formed separate groups. Also, Cu²⁺ discriminated between controls and treated samples, but the separation was less apparent. Principal coordinate analysis explained 85% of the total variance based on sequence variation and 69% of the variance based on DNA methylation changes. Significant differences in DNA methylation characteristics were confirmed, with demethylation in the CG context explaining up to 89% of the variance across genotypes. Biochemical profiles also demonstrated differences between controls and treated samples. The changes had different effects on green and albino plant regeneration efficiency, with cadaverine (Cad) and SAM affecting regeneration parameters the most. Analyses of the enzymes depend on the Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺ ions and are implemented in the synthesis of Cad, or SAM, which showed that some of them could be candidates for genome editing. Alternatively, manipulating SAM, GSH, and Cad may improve green plant regeneration efficiency in rye. Full article

Pleurotus eryngii is an edible mushroom with previously characterized β-glucans. Its potential to ameliorate postprandial glycemia and regulate appetite at the postprandial state has been previously shown. However, its effect on protein digestion remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate the effect of baked P. eryngii with a known β-glucan content (4.5 g) on plasma free amino acids of patients with central obesity and metabolic abnormalities at a postprandial state. In this acute, randomized controlled cross-over study, thirteen healthy male volunteers consumed one meal that was prepared with P. eryngii and one control meal; each meal was separated by one month. Blood was collected, and plasma was isolated at different timepoints before and after the consumption. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to quantify 24 free amino acids in the plasma samples. The area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) was computed, and the AUCi for aromatic amino acids was found to be higher after the consumption of the control meal compared to the P. eryngii meal (p = 0.027 for phenylalanine, p = 0.008 for tyrosine, and p = 0.003 for tryptophan). The above novel findings suggest that the β-glucans present in P. eryngii mushrooms are potential modulators of AA release into the bloodstream. Full article

The fungal component of microbiota, known as the mycobiome, inhabits different body niches such as the skin and the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts. Much information has been gained on the bacterial component of the human microbiota, but the mycobiome has remained somewhat elusive due to its sparsity, variability, susceptibility to environmental factors (e.g., early life colonization, diet, or pharmacological treatments), and the specific in vitro culture challenges. Functionally, the mycobiome is known to play a role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses by interacting with microorganisms and immune cells. The latter elicits anti-fungal responses via the recognition of specific fungal cell-wall components (e.g., β-1,3-glucan, mannan, and chitin) by immune system receptors. These receptors then regulate the activation and differentiation of many innate and adaptive immune cells including mucocutaneous cell barriers, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, innate-like lymphoid cells, and T and B lymphocytes. Mycobiome disruptions have been correlated with various diseases affecting mostly the brain, lungs, liver and pancreas. This work reviews our current knowledge on the mycobiome, focusing on its composition, research challenges, conditioning factors, interactions with the bacteriome and the immune system, and the known mycobiome alterations associated with disease. Full article

Olive Mill Solid Waste (OMSW) presents an environmental challenge due to its toxicity and difficulties in its recycling. Prior studies suggest its potential as a substrate ingredient for cultivating edible mushrooms. Here, we investigate how varying OMSW concentrations in the substrate affect the synthesis pathways of α-glucan and β-glucan polysaccharides, alongside transcriptional and metabolic changes in Pleurotus eryngii. We also assessed the mushroom’s protein and nitrogen content. Our results highlight the critical role of substrate composition, demonstrating that the OMSW concentration significantly influences mushroom growth, yield, protein content, gene expression, and metabolite profiles. These findings establish OMSW not only as a viable recycling resource but also as a modulator of health-promoting compound synthesis in P. eryngii. Full article

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) are natural compounds with a broad spectrum of biological activities. β-1,3-glucosyltransferase (GL20535) plays an important role in polysaccharide synthesis by catalyzing the transfer of UDP-glucose to extend sugar chains, but its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the regulatory mechanism of GL20535 in polysaccharide synthesis was elucidated by overexpressing and silencing gl20535 in G. lucidum. Overexpression of gl20535 resulted in maximum increases of 18.08%, 79.04%, and 18.01% in intracellular polysaccharide (IPS), extracellular polysaccharide (EPS), and β-1,3-glucan contents, respectively. In contrast, silencing gl20535 resulted in maximum reductions of 16.97%, 30.20%, and 23.56% in IPS, EPS, and β-1,3-glucan contents, respectively. These phenomena in the overexpression strains were attributed to gl20535-mediated promotion of UDP-glucose synthesis in the sugar donor pathway and upregulation of the expression of glycoside hydrolase genes. The opposite trend was observed in the silenced strains. In mycelial growth studies, neither overexpression nor silencing of gl20535 affected biomass and cell wall thickness. Furthermore, the GL20535 isozyme gene gl24465 remained unaffected in gl20535-overexpressed strains but was upregulated in gl20535-silenced strains, suggesting a compensatory regulatory relationship. These findings reveal the regulatory role of GL20535 on gene expression in the GLPs synthesis pathway and deepen our understanding of GL20535 function in the polysaccharide network of edible and medicinal fungi. Full article

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is one of the most important cereals cultivated in Central and Eastern Europe, valued for its high resistance to environmental stress and high levels of bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber (DF) and alkylresorcinols (ARR). The aim of the study was to evaluate the content and variability of DF fractions and ARR in rye grain of hybrid and population cultivars. The research was conducted on grain from four rye cultivars cultivated in five locations over three consecutive growing seasons. The content of DF, its fractions, and ARR, was determined using enzymatic–gravimetric and colorimetric methods. The results showed significant variability in all analyzed traits, with environmental conditions and G×E interaction having the greatest impact on their content. Hybrid cultivars were characterized by a higher and more stable content of bioactive compounds. Notable average values for hybrids vs. populations included DF: 153.9 vs. 151.7 g kg⁻¹, NSP: 129.4 vs. 127.7 g kg⁻¹, lignin: 24.5 vs. 24.0 g kg⁻¹, β-glucan: 21.7 vs. 20.6 g kg⁻¹, and ARR: 1015 vs. 987 g kg⁻¹. The KWS Serafino cultivar characterized by the highest and most stable content of bioactive compounds. Selecting genotypes with stable chemical profiles regardless of environmental conditions is crucial for developing nutritionally valuable rye-based products. Full article

This study investigated mealworm frass as a sustainable substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation while valorizing mushroom stems as aquaculture feed. Mushrooms were grown on substrates containing 0–15% frass, and nutritional analyses were conducted on both fruiting bodies (for human consumption) and stems (for fish feed). Increasing frass levels significantly enhanced protein content, rising from 7.78% to 22.31% in stems and 24.74% to 30.99% in fruiting bodies. Lipid concentrations showed minor fluctuations while, in contrast, β-glucan content declined with high frass inclusion percentages. Essential amino acid levels peaked at 7.37% in stems (15% frass) and 8.08% in fruiting bodies (12.5% frass). Polyunsaturated fatty acids dominated the fatty acid profile, increasing with high frass levels. Mushroom bodies and stems were additionally investigated for their antimicrobial activity to determine whether they could offer protection against common fish and human pathogens. Antimicrobial assays revealed that dichloromethane extracts from stems grown on 12.5% and 15% frass exhibited inhibitory activity (inhibition zones of 10–11 mm) against Tenacibaculum maritimum, a microorganism that poses a significant threat to aquaculture. These findings highlight mealworm frass as a promising substrate for enhancing mushroom nutritional value while providing a sustainable, protein-rich feed ingredient for aquaculture. Full article

This study chemically characterized three Pleurotus ostreatus fruiting bodies cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula under different conditions (biological and industrial), with emphasis on polysaccharide analysis. Comprehensive comparative data on cultivation-dependent nutritional variations will potentially improve their nutritional and therapeutic applications. Industrial mushrooms (POC and POA) contained significantly higher carbohydrate content (74%), while the biologically cultivated mushroom (POL) exhibited more protein (22.6%), fat (4.2%), and ashes (8.0%). Monosaccharide analysis showed glucose dominance (28.7–45.5%), with mannose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose also present. Trehalose was the primary free sugar (4.8–14.9%). The (1→3)(1→6)-β-glucans varied significantly across samples (POL: 20.5%; POC: 29.3%; POA: 34.3%). Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis suggested complex polysaccharide arrangements. Water-soluble carbohydrates and proteins showed molecular weight distributions of 0.18–21 kDa and 0.20–75 kDa, respectively. All mushrooms were rich in essential amino acids, phosphorus (2.79–3.07%), potassium (0.56–0.68%), linoleic acid (0.82–1.14%), and oleic acid (0.22–0.31%). Fourier transform infrared confirmed a mushroom-specific biochemical profile. These findings corroborate the high nutritional value of POL, POC, and POA, with a significant contribution to the daily requirements of fiber, protein, and minerals (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium), making them suitable for functional foods and nutraceuticals with cultivation-dependent nutritional profiles. Full article

Biomass-derived growth stimulants are widely recognized as green and economical solutions that can significantly enhance microalgae culture efficiency and optimize the biomanufacturing process of target products. In this paper, we investigated the effect of ethanol synergized with guaiacol (GA) on biomass and β-1,3 glucan accumulation in edible microalgae, namely Euglena gracilis. The ethanol-induced mixotrophic mode significantly increased biomass and paramylon production by 12.68 and 6.43 times, respectively, compared to the autotrophic control group. GA further exerted toxic excitatory effects (hormesis) on top of ethanol mixotrophic nutrition. At the optimal concentration of 10 mg·L⁻¹ GA, chlorophyll a, carotenoids, and paramylon production increased by 8.96%, 11.75%, and 16.67%, respectively, compared to the ethanol-treated group. However, at higher concentrations, the biomass and paramylon yield decreased significantly. This study not only establishes an effective combinatorial strategy for enhancing paramylon biosynthesis but also provides novel insights into the hormesis mechanism of phenolic compounds in microalgae cultivation. The developed approach demonstrates promising potential for sustainable production of high-value algal metabolites while reducing cultivation costs, which could significantly advance the commercialization of microalgae-based biorefineries in food and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Flavonoids, widely present in Artemisia argyi (AA), offer potential health benefits but are limited in food applications because of their bitter taste, inadequate absorption, and stability. Casein micelles encapsulation can enhance the flavonoid absorption, stability, and bioactivity. In this study, Artemisia argyi flavonoids (AAFs) were extracted using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to optimize the process. The glycosylation reaction between casein (CN) micelles and oat β-glucan (OBG) was employed to improve AAF’s emulsifying stability, sustained release during digestion, and cellular uptake. The maximum glycosylation degree of 32.33% was achieved at a CN-to-OBG ratio of 1:2, 120 min browning time, and 95 °C temperature. This glycosylated delivery system enhanced the emulsifying properties of the AAFs, digestive sustained release, and cellular uptake, showing potential as a cross-linking material for fat-soluble substances and medicines. Full article

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of four extraction methods, hot water (HW), hot alkaline (HA), ultrasound-assisted water (UW), and ultrasound-assisted alkaline (UA), for extracting crude β-glucan from Lentinula edodes, focusing on yield, functionality, and antidiabetic potential. The response surface methodology was used to optimize extraction conditions. Among all methods, UW yielded the highest β-glucan content (34.51 ± 0.82 g/100 g dry extract), indicating enhanced extraction efficiency through acoustic cavitation. However, HW demonstrated the most preserved structural integrity, exhibiting superior and consistent swelling power across all tested pH conditions, which indicated an excellent water-holding capacity. The ability of HA to scavenge antioxidants was significantly higher than that of other methods, likely due to the enhanced release of phenolic residues under alkaline conditions. UA showed the most potent inhibition against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 1.46 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 1.21 mg/mL), demonstrating the potential for type 2 diabetes management. These results highlight that while UW is optimal for yield, HW preserves functional integrity, HA enhances antioxidant properties, and UA is promising for enzyme inhibition. The findings provide insights into tailoring extraction strategies for targeted functional or nutraceutical applications. Full article