Search Results (533)

Bamboo shoot boiled liquid (BSBL), a processing byproduct containing soluble proteins, peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, and phenolics, is typically discarded, causing resource waste and environmental issues. This study analyzed metabolic changes in BSBL during Pediococcus pentosaceus B49 fermentation. The result of partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed significant metabolite profile differences across fermentation times (0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h). The most substantial alterations occurred within the first 24 h, followed by stabilization. Compared to unfermented BSBL, fermented samples exhibited significantly elevated signal intensities for 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, cinnamic acid, 3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, 6,8-dimethyl-4-hydroxycoumarin, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid (p < 0.05), showing upward trends over time. Conversely, (+)-gallocatechin intensity decreased gradually. Bitter peptides, such as alanylisoleucine, isoleucylisoleucine, leucylvaline, and phenylalanylisoleucine, in BSBL exhibited a significant reduction following fermentation with P. pentosaceus B49 (p < 0.05). KEGG enrichment indicated tyrosine metabolism (ko00350) and arginine/proline metabolism (ko00330) as the most impacted pathways. These findings elucidate metabolic regulation in BSBL fermentation, supporting development of functional fermented bamboo products. Full article

With the acceleration of the pace of life, increased stress levels, and changes in lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, the incidence of diseases such as cancer and immunodeficiency has been on the rise, which is closely associated with the impaired antioxidant capacity of the body. Polypeptides and polysaccharides derived from edible fungi demonstrate significant strong antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory effects. Auricularia auricula, the second most cultivated mushroom in China, is not only nutritionally rich but also offers considerable health benefits. In particular, its polysaccharides have been widely recognized for their immunomodulatory activities, while its abundant protein content holds great promise as a raw material for developing immunomodulatory peptides. To meet the demand for high-value utilization of Auricularia auricula resources, this study developed a key technology for the stepwise extraction of polypeptides (AAPP1) and polysaccharides (AAPS3) using a composite enzymatic hydrolysis process. Their antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects were assessed using cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immune-suppressed mice. The results showed that both AAPP1 and AAPS3 significantly reversed CTX-induced decreases in thymus and spleen indices (p < 0.05); upregulated serum levels of cytokines (e.g., IL-4, TNF-α) and immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA, IgG); enhanced the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT (p < 0.05); and reduced the content of MDA, a marker of oxidative damage. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that these compounds restored CTX-induced reductions in microbial α-diversity, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Paramuribaculum, Prevotella; p < 0.05), decreased the proportion of pro-inflammatory Duncaniella, and reshaped the balance of the Bacteroidota/Firmicutes phyla. This study represents the first instance of synergistic extraction of polypeptides and polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula using a single process. It demonstrates their immune-enhancing effects through multiple mechanisms, including “antioxidation-immune organ repair-intestinal microbiota regulation.” The findings offer a theoretical and technical foundation for the deep processing of Auricularia auricula and the development of functional foods. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a composite coating composed of 150 mg/L ε-Poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) and 5 g/L chitosan (CTS) in extending the shelf life and maintaining the postharvest quality of fresh Tremella fuciformis. Freshly harvested T. fuciformis were treated by surface spraying, with distilled water serving as the control. The effects of the coating on storage quality, physicochemical properties, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and membrane lipid metabolism were evaluated during storage at (25 ± 1) °C. The results showed that the ε-PL/CTS composite coating significantly retarded quality deterioration, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, maintained whiteness and color, and higher retention of soluble sugars, soluble solids, and soluble proteins. The coating also effectively limited water migration and loss. Mechanistically, the coated T. fuciformis exhibited enhanced antioxidant capacity, characterized by increased superoxide anion (O₂⁻) resistance capacity, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX), and elevated levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (AsA, GSH). This led to a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, alongside improved DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Furthermore, the ε-PL/CTS coating preserved cell membrane integrity by inhibiting the activities of lipid-degrading enzymes (lipase, LOX, PLD), maintaining higher levels of key phospholipids (phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine), delaying phosphatidic acid accumulation, and consequently reducing cell membrane permeability. In conclusion, the ε-PL/CTS composite coating effectively extends the shelf life and maintains the quality of postharvest T. fuciformis by modulating ROS metabolism and preserving membrane lipid homeostasis. This study provides a theoretical basis and a practical approach for the quality control of fresh T. fuciformis. Full article

Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms with absorptive heterotrophic nutrition, capable of feeding on organic matter rich in cellulose and lignocellulose. Since ancient times, they have been considered allies and, in certain cultures, they were seen as magical beings or food of the gods. Of the great variety of edible mushrooms identified worldwide, less than 2% are traded on the market. Although mushrooms have been valued for their multiple nutritional and healing benefits, some cultures perceive them as toxic and do not accept them in their culinary practices. Despite the existing skepticism, several researchers are promoting the potential of edible mushrooms. There are two main methods of mushroom cultivation: solid-state fermentation and submerged fermentation. The former is the most widely used and simplest, since the fungus grows in its natural environment; in the latter, the fungus grows suspended without developing a fruiting body. In addition, submerged fermentation is easily monitored and scalable. Both systems are important and have their limitations. This article discusses the main methods used to increase the performance of submerged fermentation with emphasis on the modes of operation used, types of bioreactors and application of morphological bioengineering of filamentous fungi, and especially the use of intelligent automatic control technologies and the use of non-invasive monitoring in fermentation systems thanks to the development of machine learning (ML), neural networks, and the use of big data, which will allow more accurate decisions to be made in the fermentation of filamentous fungi in submerged environments with improvements in production yields. 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

Pleurotus ostreatus is a widely cultivated edible fungus in China, renowned for its rich nutritional composition and diverse medicinal compounds. However, the quality of the currently published P. ostreatus genomes remained suboptimal, which limited in-depth research on its evolution, growth, and development. In this study, we conducted a chromosome-level genome assembly of the monokaryotic basidiospore strain PC80. The assembled genome spanned 40.6 Mb and consisted of 15 scaffolds. Ten of these scaffolds contained complete telomere-to-telomere structures. The scaffold N50 value was 3.6 Mb. Genome annotation revealed 634 carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) family genes. Through collinearity analysis, we further confirmed that the PC80 genome exhibited higher completeness and greater accuracy compared to the currently published genomes of P. ostreatus. At the matA locus of PC80, three hd1 genes and one hd2 gene were identified. At the matB locus, seven pheromone receptor genes and two pheromone precursor genes were detected. Further phylogenetic analysis indicated that three of these pheromone receptor genes are likely to have mating-specific functions. This complete genome assembly could provide a foundation for future genomic and genetic studies, facilitate the identification of key genes related to growth and developmental regulation, and promote technological innovations in P. ostreatus breeding and efficient utilization. Full article

In order to innovatively develop high-activity ACE inhibitory peptides from edible fungi, the conditions for a double-enzymatic hydrolysis preparation of ACE inhibitory peptides from Flammulina velutipes were optimized by response surface methodology. After purification by macroporous resin, gel chromatography, and RP-HPLC, a crude peptide fraction was obtained; its ACE inhibition rate was 85.73 ± 0.95% (IC₅₀ = 0.83 ± 0.09 mg/mL). Based on LC-MS/MS sequencing, the four novel peptides, namely, FAGGP, FDGY, FHPGY, and WADP, were screened by computer analysis and molecular docking technology. The four peptides exhibited a binding energy between −9.4 and −10.3 kcal/mol, and formed hydrogen bonds with Tyr523, Ala354, and Glu384 in the S1 pocket, Tyr520 and His353 in the S2 pocket, and His383 in the HEXXH zinc-coordinating motif of ACE, indicating their good affinity with the ACE active site. The IC₅₀ values of the four ACE inhibitory peptides were 29.17, 91.55, 14.79, and 41.27 μM, respectively, suggesting that these peptides could potentially contribute to the development of new antihypertensive products. Full article

Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis) is widely recognized for its bioactive compounds and associated health benefits. However, due to its delicate nature, conventional chilled storage often results in the rapid degradation of valuable compounds, leading to loss of nutritional value and overall quality. This study integrated and evaluated comprehensive strategies: three gas-conditioning and two light-based preservation methods for maintaining both quality and nutritional integrity during 12-day chilled storage at 4 °C. The results revealed that vacuum packaging significantly inhibited weight loss (3.49%) compared to in the control group (10.77%) and preserved sensory quality (p < 0.05). UV-based interventions notably suppressed polyphenol oxidase and tyrosinase activities by 36.4% and 29.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with 80% N₂ and 20% CO₂ (MAP-N₂CO₂) maintained higher levels of cordycepin (1.77 µg/g) and preserved energy charge above 0.7 throughout storage. The results suggest that MAP-based treatments are superior methods for the chilled storage of C. sinensis, with diverse advantages and their corresponding shelf lives associated with different gas compositions. Full article

The high-Andean grass Jarava ichu (Poaceae) plays a vital role in water regulation and aquifer recharge. However, its limited use is often linked to forest fires, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. Therefore, this study aims to explore the valorization of ichu as a substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus spp. (P. citrinopileatus, P. djamor, and P. ostreatus) and to evaluate the potential of the residual substrate as a biofertilizer, offering an ecological alternative to grassland burning in the Peruvian Andes. Samples of ichu from the district of Tomás (Lima, Peru) were used as culture substrate, analyzing productivity indicators such as crop cycle (CC), biological efficiency (BE), and production rate (PR), together with the nutritional profile of the fungi and the chemical properties of the residual substrate. The results showed an average biological efficiency of 19.8%, with no significant differences (p > 0.05) in CC, BE, or PR among the species, confirming the viability of ichu as a substrate. The fungi presented a high protein content (24.1–30.41% on a dry basis), highlighting its nutritional value. In addition, the residual substrate exhibited elevated levels of phosphorus (795.9–1296.9 ppm) and potassium (253.1–291.3 ppm) compared to raw ichu (0.11–7.77 ppm for both nutrients). Germination tests on radish seeds showed rates between 80% and 100%, without inhibition, supporting its potential as a biofertilizer. This study demonstrates the double potential of ichu as a substrate for the sustainable production of edible mushrooms of high nutritional value and as a source of biofertilizers. Full article

Melanin is a complex natural pigment that imparts a variety of colors to the fruiting bodies of edible fungi, influencing both their nutritional quality and commercial value. Stropharia rugosoannulata is an emerging type of edible fungus that has been widely cultivated in recent years. It can be categorized into red and yellow varieties based on cap color, while its pigment characteristics remain unclear. In this study, the melanins from the two varieties were obtained using an alkaline extraction and acid precipitation method, followed by comprehensive characterization of their chemical properties and ultrastructural features. Both melanins displayed distinct absorption maxima at approximately 211 nm. The melanin extracted from the red variety consisted of 55.63% carbon (C), 7.40% hydrogen (H), 30.23% oxygen (O), 5.99% nitrogen (N), and 0.64% sulfur (S), whereas the yellow variety comprised 52.22% C, 6.74% H, 29.70% O, 5.91% N, and 0.99% S. Both types of melanin included eumelanin and phaeomelanin forms, with eumelanin being the predominant type. Variations in the quantities and relative proportions of eumelanin and phaeomelanin contributed to the observed color differences in the mushroom caps. Ultrastructural micrographs revealed the melanins were primarily localized in the cell wall, consistent with findings in other fungal species. These findings contribute valuable insights into fundamental knowledge and potential applications of mushroom pigments. Full article

The degradation of edible fungi can lead to a decrease in cultivation yield and economic losses. In this study, a nondestructive detection method for strain degradation based on the fusion of hyperspectral technology and image texture features is presented. Hyperspectral and microscopic image data were acquired from Pleurotus geesteranus strains exhibiting varying degrees of degradation, followed by preprocessing using Savitzky–Golay smoothing (SG), multivariate scattering correction (MSC), and standard normal variate transformation (SNV). Spectral features were extracted by the successive projections algorithm (SPA), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), and principal component analysis (PCA), while the texture features were derived using gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and local binary pattern (LBP) models. The spectral and texture features were then fused and used to construct a classification model based on convolutional neural networks (CNN). The results showed that combining hyperspectral and image texture features significantly improved the classification accuracy. Among the tested models, the CARS + LBP-CNN configuration achieved the best performance, with an overall accuracy of 95.6% and a kappa coefficient of 0.96. This approach provides a new technical solution for the nondestructive detection of strain degradation in Pleurotus geesteranus. 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

The integration of forestry and agriculture has promoted edible fungi cultivation in forest understory spaces. However, the impact of spent mushroom substrates on forest soils remains unclear. This study explored the use of seafood mushroom spent substrates (SMS) and grass substrates to cultivate Dictyophora indusiata. After cultivation, soil pH stabilized, organic carbon increased by 34.02–62.24%, total nitrogen rose 1.1–1.9-fold, while soil catalase activity increased by 43.78–100.41% and laccase activity surged 3.3–11.2-fold. The 49% Cenchrus fungigraminus and 49% SMS treatment yielded the highest 4-coumaric acid levels in the soil, while all treatments reduced maslinic and pantothenic acid content. SMS as padding material with C. fungigraminus enhanced soil bacterial diversity in the first and following years. Environmental factors and organic acids influenced the recruitment of genus of Latescibacterota, Acidothermus, Rokubacteriales, Candidatus solibacter, and Bacillus, altering organic acid composition. In conclusion, cultivating D. indusiata understory enhanced environmental characteristics, microbial dynamics, and organic acid profiles in forests’ soil in short time. Full article

Fruiting body formation in edible fungi is a critical development process for both scientific understanding and industrial cultivation, yet the underlying genetic mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. This study aimed to identify key genes regulating monokaryotic fruiting in Flammulina filiformis. A genetic segregation population was constructed through selfing purification and hybrid segregation of the FF002 strain, followed by mapping candidate genes with bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq). A 10 kb genomic region on scaffold19 was identified, pinpointing the gene FV-L110034160, which encodes a U2 snRNP complex component involved in pre-mRNA splicing. A T→G SNP located 121 bp downstream of the ATG codon caused a serine-to-alanine substitution, disrupting a conserved domain and altering fruiting phenotypes. Phylogenetic analysis further revealed conservation of this gene in fungal genera. These findings elucidate a key regulatory gene controlling monokaryotic fruiting in F. filiformis, providing novel insights into fruiting body formation mechanisms and establishing a foundation for genetic studies in other edible fungi. Full article

The planting area of the maize–soybean strip intercropping system has been increasing annually in the Hexi Corridor oasis irrigation area of China. However, long-term irrational water resource utilization and the excessive mono-application of fertilizers have led to significantly low water and nitrogen use efficiency in this cropping system. To explore the sustainable production model of high yield and high water–nitrogen productivity in maize–soybean strip intercropping, we established three irrigation levels (low: 60%, medium: 80%, and sufficient: 100% of reference crop evapotranspiration) and three nitrogen application levels (low: maize 230 kg ha⁻¹, soybean 29 kg ha⁻¹; medium: maize 340 kg ha⁻¹, soybean 57 kg ha⁻¹; and high: maize 450 kg ha⁻¹, soybean 85 kg ha⁻¹) for maize and soybean, respectively. Three irrigation levels without nitrogen application served as controls. The effects of different water–nitrogen combinations on multiple indicators of the maize–soybean strip intercropping system, including yield, water–nitrogen productivity, and quality, were analyzed. The results showed that the irrigation amount and nitrogen application rate significantly affected the kernel quality of maize. Specifically, the medium nitrogen and sufficient water (N2W3) combination achieved optimal performance in crude fat, starch, and bulk density. However, excessive irrigation and nitrogen application led to a reduction in the content of lysine and crude protein in maize, as well as crude fat and crude starch in soybean. Appropriate irrigation and nitrogen application significantly increased the yield in the maize–soybean strip intercropping system, in which the N2W3 treatment had the highest yield, with maize and soybean yields reaching 14007.02 and 2025.39 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, which increased by 2.52% to 138.85% and 5.37% to 191.44% compared with the other treatments. Taking into account the growing environment of the oasis agricultural area in the Hexi Corridor and the effects of different water and nitrogen supplies on the yield, water–nitrogen productivity, and kernel quality of maize and soybeans in the strip intercropping system, the highest target yield can be achieved when the irrigation quotas for maize and soybeans are set at 100% ET0 (reference crop evapotranspiration), with nitrogen application rates of 354.78~422.51 kg ha⁻¹ and 60.27~71.81 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. This provides guidance for enhancing yield and quality in maize–soybean strip intercropping in the oasis agricultural area of the Hexi Corridor, achieving the dual objectives of high yield and superior quality. Full article