Search Results (32)

In response to the growing demand for clean-label preservatives, this study investigates the potential of Laetiporus sulphureus, an edible polypore mushroom, as a multifunctional additive in cooked sausages. The ethanolic extract of L. sulphureus (LsEtOH) was evaluated for its chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity. Leucine (12.4 ± 0.31 mg/g d.w.) and linoleic acid (68.6%) were identified as the dominant essential amino acid and fatty acid. LsEtOH exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 215 ± 0.05 µg/mL (DPPH•), 182 ± 0.40 µg/mL (NO•), and 11.4 ± 0.01 µg/mL (OH•), and showed a selective inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus (MIC/MBC: 0.31/0.62 mg/mL). In cooked sausages treated with 0.05 mg/kg of LsEtOH, lipid peroxidation was reduced (TBARS: 0.26 mg MDA/kg compared to 0.36 mg MDA/kg in the control), microbial growth was suppressed (33.3 ± 15.2 CFU/g in the treated sample compared to 43.3 ± 5.7 CFU/g in the control group), and color and pH were stabilized over 30 days. A sensory evaluation revealed minor flavor deviations due to the extract’s inherent aroma. Encapsulation and consumer education are recommended to enhance acceptance. This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of L. sulphureus extract as a natural preservative in a meat matrix, supporting its application as a clean-label additive for shelf life and safety improvement. Full article

In recent years, the incidence rate of cancer has been on the rise all over the world, and the age of cancer patients has shown a younger trend, which seriously endangers patients’ health. Edible/medicinal mushrooms have not only become a new source of nutritional supplements but have also emerged as a promising adjunct to conventional medicine, either by directly or indirectly killing tumor cells and enhancing immunity, or through their use in conjunction with modern cancer therapies to enhance their efficacy or reduce their side-effects, improving patients’ quality of life. Although the anti-cancer potential of edible and medicinal mushrooms has been widely studied in the past, this review focuses on the most recent literature from the last five years, providing an up-to-date and comprehensive summary of the current findings. In this review, we aim to analyze the anti-cancer effects of edible/medicinal mushrooms, including Schizophyllum commune, Trametes versicolor, Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, Laetiporus sulphureus, Boletus edulis, and Phellinus igniarius, as well as their potential anti-cancer mechanisms, providing strong theoretical support for the further development of edible/medicinal mushroom anti-cancer products. Full article

We surveyed five urban parks in Wrocław, Lower Silesia (Poland) to document the diversity of wood-inhabiting fungi and assess their potential impact on trees and public safety. Field observations were conducted in 2021, yielding 53 fungal occurrences representing nine species of eight genera. The most frequently recorded taxa were Fomes fomentarius (accounting for 43.4% of all fungal observations), Fomitiporia robusta (15.0%), and Laetiporus sulphureus (13.2%). The highest number of fungal findings (35.8%) occurred in Zachodni Park, which is also the largest of the surveyed parks, while Grabiszyński Park—the second largest—had the lowest share (9.4%). Fungi were found on trees of six genera and eight species, most commonly on Quercus robur (35.5% of colonized trees) and Betula pendula (26.7%). In eight cases, host trees could not be identified due to severe damage or removal. Most fungal fruiting bodies appeared on upper trunks or branches of aging, weakened, or decaying trees. As the surveyed parks are highly frequented recreational areas, regular monitoring of wood-inhabiting fungi is recommended to manage tree health and minimize safety risks for park visitors. Full article

Unlike many biopolymers, α-1,3-glucan (α-1,3-GLU) is water-insoluble, making it a promising candidate for the production of moisture-resistant films with applications in biodegradable packaging, biomedicine, and cosmetics. This study aimed to characterize the structural, physicochemical (water affinity, optical, mechanical), and biodegradation properties of a film made from α-1,3-GLU extracted from Laetiporus sulphureus. The film was fabricated through alkaline dissolution, casting, drying, washing to remove residual NaOH, and re-plasticization with a glycerol solution. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the polysaccharide nature of the film, with predominant α-glycosidic linkages. The film exhibited a semi-crystalline structure and high opacity due to surface roughness resulting from polymer coagulation. Owing to re-plasticization, the film showed a high moisture content (~47%), high water solubility (81.95% after 24 h), and weak mechanical properties (tensile strength = 1.28 MPa, elongation at break ≈ 10%). Its water vapor permeability (53.69 g mm m⁻² d⁻¹ kPa⁻¹) was comparable to other glycerol-plasticized polysaccharide films reported in the literature. The film supported the adhesion of soil microorganisms and target bacteria and was susceptible to degradation by Trichoderma harzianum and endo- and exo-α-1,3-glucanases, indicating its biodegradability. The limitations in its mechanical strength and excessive hydration indicate the need for improvements in the composition and methods of producing α-1,3-GLU films. Full article

Fungal secondary metabolites (SMs) have broad applications in biomedicine, biocontrol, and the food industry. In this study, whole-genome sequencing and annotation of Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis were conducted, followed by comparative genomic analysis with 11 other species of Polyporales to examine genomic variations and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Additionally, transcriptome data were used to analyze the differential expression of polyketide synthase (PKS), terpene synthase (TPS) genes, and transcription factors (TFs) under different culture conditions. The results show that T. gaoligongensis differs from other fungal species in genome size (34.58 Mb) and GC content (50.72%). The antibiotics and Secondary Metabolites Analysis Shell (AntiSMASH) analysis reveals significant variation in the number of SM biosynthetic gene clusters (SMBGCs) across the 12 species (12–29), with T. gaoligongensis containing 25 SMBGCs: 4 PKS, 6 non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), and 15 TPS clusters. The TgPKS1 gene is hypothesized to be involved in the biosynthesis of orsellinic acid or its derivatives, while TgPKS2 might catalyze the synthesis of 6-methylsalicylic acid (6MSA) and its derivatives. The TgTRI5 genes are suggested to synthesize tetracyclic sesquiterpene type B trichothecene compounds, while TgPentS may be involved in the synthesis of δ-cadinol, β-copaene, and α-murolene analogs or derivatives. Comparative genomic analysis shows that the genome size of T. gaoligongensis is similar to that of T. camphoratus, with comparable SMs. Both species share four types of PKS domains and five distinct types of TPS. Additionally, T. gaoligongensis exhibits a high degree of similarity to Laetiporus sulphureus, despite belonging to a different genus within the same family. Transcriptome analysis reveals significant variation in the expression levels of PKS and TPS genes across different cultivation conditions. The TgPKS1 and TgPKS4 genes, along with nine TgTFs, are significantly upregulated under three solid culture conditions. In contrast, under three different liquid culture conditions, the TgPKS3, TgTRI5-1, and TgTRI5-2 genes, along with twelve TgTFs, exhibit higher activity. Co-expression network analysis and TgTFs binding site prediction in the promoter regions of TgPKS and TgTPS genes suggest that TgMYB9 and TgFTD4 regulate TgPKS4 expression. TgHOX1, TgHSF2, TgHSF3, and TgZnF4 likely modulate TgPKS3 transcriptional activity. TgTRI5-1 and TgTRI5-5 expression is likely regulated by TgbZIP2 and TgZnF15, respectively. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of SMs in T. gaoligongensis and offers potential strategies for enhancing the biosynthesis of target compounds through artificial intervention. Full article

Herein we describe the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing potential of aqueous and polysaccharide extracts from three widely appreciated mushrooms: Agrocybe aegerita, Laetiporus sulphureus and Agaricus bisporus. Moreover, we present their detailed phenolic, polysaccharide and protein profiles and ATR-FTIR spectra. The study found that polysaccharide extracts (PEs) from mushrooms had higher total and β-glucan levels than aqueous extracts (AEs), with A. aegerita showing the highest content. L. sulphureus had a higher total protein content, and A. aegerita AE had the highest phenolic content. Our results indicate that all the tested extracts have high potential regarding their bioactive properties, with A. aegerita being the most promising one. Namely, the antibacterial activity assay showed that the development of the skin-infection-causing agent, Staphylococcus aureus, was inhibited with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 4.00 mg/mL and minimal bactericidal concentration of 8.00 mg/mL, while the results regarding wound healing showed that, over the course of 24 h, the A. aegerita extract actively promoted wound closure in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line model. The anti-inflammatory activity results clearly showed that when we used S. aureus as an inflammation-inducing agent and the A. aegerita aqueous extract in treatment, IL-6 levels reduced to the level of 4.56 pg/mL. The obtained data suggest that the tested mushroom extracts may serve as a source of bioactive compounds, with potential applications in the cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Furthermore, potential skin preparations carefully crafted with mushroom extract may help restore the skin’s barrier function, decrease the probability of staph infections and minimize skin irritation. Full article

Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible and medicinal mushroom widely used in folk medicine for treating cancer and gastric diseases. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of different sulfated polysaccharide (SPS) components (F1, F2, and F3) isolated from L. sulphureus and evaluate their activity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell proliferation. Compared with F1 and F3, the results showed that F2 exhibited the most potent anti-proliferative activity on MDA-MB-231 cells, which could be attributed to the sulfate and protein contents, molecular weight, and monosaccharide composition. F2 inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation by blocking the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase but not triggering cell apoptosis. In addition, F2 also showed selective cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells. It modulated the expression of proteins involved in G0/G1 phase progression, cell cycle checkpoints, DNA replication, and the TGFβ signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells. This study demonstrated that F2, the medium-molecular-weight SPS component of L. sulphureus, possessed the most potent inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. The main factors contributing to the differences in the potency of anti-breast cancer activity between F1, F2, and F3 could be the sulfate and protein contents, molecular weight, and monosaccharide composition of SPS. Full article

Wood-decaying fungi are important study subjects for their ecological role as well as for their biotechnological applications. They break down lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses using enzymes that modify the chemical structure of these complex macromolecules. Due to their ability to degrade wood, these fungi can create structural damage to wooden structures and to trees, especially those with very low level of fitness. Previous studies on wood decay fungi in the Maltese Islands are limited to records and checklists described by a handful of authors. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of wood decay fungal diversity in the Maltese Islands including an updated checklist based on DNA barcoding, as well as to establish the first wood-decay fungal culture collection at the Biology Department Seed Bank of the University of Malta. Several surveys were carried out during the rainy season along wooded areas of the Maltese Islands as well as in historical gardens. Isolates were identified using macro- and micro-morphological features, dichotomous keys, as well as molecular data. Basidiomes were recorded growing on 14 different host plant species, 11 axenic cultures have been made and 9 species of wood decay fungi have been conclusively identified by DNA barcoding. The collection of the axenic isolates includes one of Aurificaria cf. euphoria, three of Ganoderma resinaceum sl., two of Laetiporus sulphureus, one of Inonotus sp., one of Inonotus rickii anamorph, one of Inocutis tamaricis, one of Stereum hirsutum, and one of Pleurotus eryngii. However, the mycelium of Coriolopsis gallica, though collected and identified, could not be isolated. Full article

Saprotrophic fungi, key players in global carbon cycling, have been identified as methane (CH₄) sources not yet accounted for in the global CH₄ budget. This study, for the first time, explores the influence of oxygen (O₂) and temperature on CH₄ production by two fungi, Laetiporus sulphureus and Pleurotus sapidus. To explore the relationship between these parameters and fungal CH₄ formation, we examined CH₄ formation under varying O₂ levels (0 to 98%) and temperatures (17, 27, and 40 °C) during fungal growth on pine wood, beech wood, and grass under sterile conditions. Our findings show that fungal CH₄ formation strongly depends on O₂ levels. Methane formation was highest when O₂ levels exceeded 5%, whilst no CH₄ formation was observed after complete O₂ consumption. Reintroducing O₂ immediately resumed fungal CH₄ production. Methane formation normalized to O₂ consumption (CH₄__norm) showed a different pattern. L. sulphureus showed higher CH₄__norm rates with higher O₂ levels, whereas P. sapidus showed elevated rates between 0 and 5%. Temperature also significantly influenced CH₄ and CH₄__norm rates, with the highest production at 27 °C, and comparatively lower rates at 17 and 40 °C. These findings demonstrate the importance of O₂ levels and temperature in fungal CH₄ emissions, which are essential for refining CH₄ source predictions. Full article

Wood-rotting fungi’s degradation of wood not only facilitates the eco-friendly treatment of organic materials, decreasing environmental pollution, but also supplies crucial components for producing biomass energy, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The ABC gene family, widely distributed in wood-rotting fungi, plays a crucial role in the metabolism of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Trametes gibbosa, as a representative species of wood-rotting fungi, exhibits robust capabilities in wood degradation. To investigate the function of the ABC gene family in wood degradation by T. gibbosa, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of T. gibbosa’s ABC gene family. We identified a total of 12 Tg-ABCs classified into four subfamilies (ABCA, ABCB, ABCC, and ABCG). These subfamilies likely play significant roles in wood degradation. Scaffold localization and collinearity analysis results show that Tg-ABCs are dispersed on scaffolds and there is no duplication of gene sequences in the Tg-ABCs in the genome sequence of T. gibbosa. Phylogenetic and collinearity analyses of T. gibbosa along with four other wood-rotting fungi show that T. gibbosa shares a closer phylogenetic relationship with its same-genus fungus (Trametes versicolor), followed by Ganoderma leucocontextum, Laetiporus sulphureus, and Phlebia centrifuga in descending order of phylogenetic proximity. In addition, we conducted quantitative analyses of Tg-ABCs from T. gibbosa cultivated in both woody and non-woody environments for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 days using an RT-qPCR analysis. The results reveal a significant difference in the expression levels of Tg-ABCs between woody and non-woody environments, suggesting an active involvement of the ABC gene family in wood degradation. During the wood degradation period of T. gibbosa, spanning from 10 to 35 days, the relative expression levels of most Tg-ABCs exhibited a trend of increasing, decreasing, and then increasing again. Additionally, at 20 and 35 days of wood degradation by T. gibbosa, the relative expression levels of Tg-ABCs peak, suggesting that at these time points, Tg-ABCs exert the most significant impact on the degradation of poplar wood by T. gibbosa. This study systematically reveals the biological characteristics of the ABC gene family in T. gibbosa and their response to woody environments. It establishes the foundation for a more profound comprehension of the wood-degradation mechanism of the ABC gene family and provides strong support for the development of more efficient wood-degradation strategies. Full article

The study aimed to test the effect of probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis (BAL) on the HCT-116 cell line viability and to compare its effect with co-treatment BAL/Laetiporus sulphureus (EALS). The trypan blue staining method was used to estimate HCT-116 viability. The levels of NO₂⁻ were determined using 0.1% N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine, as well as 1% sulfanilic acid. The determination of H₂O₂ was based on the oxidation of phenol red. Our results showed the significant cytotoxicity of the BAL on the HCT-116 cells in a co-culture system, while the BAL/EALS co-treatment further enhanced the cytotoxicity on the HCT-116 cells. We detected higher H₂O₂ and NO₂⁻ values in treatments with BAL, especially in the BAL/EALS co-treatment. The death of the HCT-116 cells may be due to elevated levels of H₂O₂ and NO₂⁻ and their products (peroxynitrites). Full article

GSH (glutathione) is crucial for the removal and detoxification of carcinogens in healthy cells, while in cancer cells, GSH is associated with cancer expansion and increased resistance to drugs. O₂^•− acts as a secondary messenger and plays a major role in the cell signalling pathways of normal and cancer cells. Herein, the levels of O₂^•− and GSH were measured in MRC-5 and HCT-116 cells after incubation with BAL (Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis) and BAL/EALS (ethyl acetate extract of Laetiporus sulphureus) in co-culture systems, and for the first time, sensitivity was compared between these cell lines. The O₂^•− and GSH parameters were measured spectrophotometrically after 12 and 24 h. The levels of the O₂^•− were slightly increased in the MRC-5 cells after the effect of BAL and BAL/EALS (10 µg/mL), while the highest concentration of O₂^•− was recorded in treatment with BAL/EALS (50 µg/mL). On the other hand, the GSH values were elevated already after 12 h of incubation, and then further increased after 24 h in the MRC-5 cells. In the HCT-116 cells, the concentration of O₂^•− was not enhanced at 12 and 24 h of incubation compared to that of the control. The GSH level also remained relatively low. We observed a positive dose-dependent effect on the GSH levels in the MRC-5 and a negative dose-dependent effect in the HCT-116 cells. Generally, high GSH levels in the MRC-5 after 12 and 24 h indicate a strong reaction to oxidative stress and more sensitivity compared with the HCT-116 cells, where GSH stayed at a low concentration. Full article

The main pathogens affecting the carob (Ceratonia siliqua) tree in the Mediterranean basin are described in this overview. The most widespread diseases periodically occurring in carob orchards are powdery mildew (Pseudoidium ceratoniae) and cercospora leaf spot (Pseudocercospora ceratoniae). The causal agents of “black leaf spots” (e.g., Pestalotiopsis, Phyllosticta and Septoria spp.) are responsible for symptoms similar to those previously mentioned for foliar diseases, but are reported in carob orchards at a negligible frequency. Likewise, canker and branch diebacks caused by fungal species belonging to Botryosphaeriaceae are almost never recorded. Among the rots of wood tissues that may compromise old carob specimens, “brown cubical rot” caused by Laetiporus sulphureus is the most widespread and recurrent issue; this pathogen is also well-known for producing edible fruit bodies that are appreciated for pharmaceutical and industrial purposes. On the other hand, “white rots” caused by Fomes and Ganoderma species are less common and reported for the first time in this review. Gall-like protuberances on twigs of uncertain aetiology or tumors on branches associated with Rhizobium radiobacter are described, although these symptoms are seldom detected, as they are also observed for necrotic leaf spots caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. ciccaronei. A worldwide list of pathogens not yet recorded but at high risk of potential introduction in Italian carob-producing areas is also provided. Finally, concerns related to new phytopathogenic fungi vectored by the invasive Xylosandrus compactus ambrosia beetle are addressed. All the described pathogens could become limiting factors for carob production in the near future, because they could be favored by high-density orchards, the increasing global network of trade exchanges, and the high frequency at which extreme events related to climate change occur globally. Thus, symptoms and signs, causal agents, epidemiology, and, whenever applicable, recommendations for disease prevention and management are provided in this review. Full article

We investigated fungal communities in oak wounds to determine how fungal species richness and community composition changes depending on the age of wounds. The sampling of wood cores was carried out from 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-year-old wounds. The fungal community was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing of ITS2 rDNA. Sequence analysis showed the presence of 534 fungal OTUs, which were 83.4% Ascomycota, 16.3% Basidiomycota, and 0.3% Mucoromycota. The fungal OTU richness changed over time: it increased as compared between 10- and 20-year-old wounds, remained similar in 20- to 40-year-old wounds, and decreased in 50-year-old wounds. The fungal community composition also changed over time with the largest differences detected between 10-year-old and older wounds (p < 0.001). The most common representatives of Basidiomycota were Laetiporus sulphureus (34.7%), Mycena galericulata (17.0%), and Cylindrobasidium evolvens (6.5%), and the most common of Ascomycota were Aposphaeria corallinolutea (13.6%), Sclerostagonospora cycadis (7.6%), and Cadophora malorum (5.8%). In conclusion, oak wounds of different ages were colonized by a high diversity of fungi including oak-associated species. Fungal communities in oak wounds underwent qualitative and quantitative changes over time, which led to the gradual shift from fungal generalists in young wounds to oak specialists in older wounds. Full article

The influence of nanoparticles of hydrated C₆₀ fullerene and its N-monoamino acid derivatives on the oxidative metabolism and growth of the mycelial biomass of basidiomycetes during their submerged cultivation was studied. It was found that the supplementation of culture media with nanoparticles of the studied compounds at their final concentration range of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹¹ M significantly increased the resulting biomass, while the severity of the effect in this concentration range changed slightly. That prompted the use of nanomolar concentrations of compounds as reasonable. The most pronounced stimulating effect (an increase in biomass of about 240% with respect to control) was observed when culturing Laetiporus sulphureus, the intrinsically high level of oxidative metabolism of which was significantly lowered by the presence of the studied additives. It was shown that the growth-enhancing action of nanoparticles of fullerene C₆₀ and its derivatives could not be attributed to photochemical reactions, particularly fullerene photoexcitation. Fullerene and its derivatives manifest a growth regulatory effect on bio-objects from different kingdoms of the living world (plants and fungi), which is indicative of these compounds’ mechanism of action based on a direct impact on fundamental, universal for all living beings, biophysical processes, primarily chain free-radical oxidation. Full article