Search Results (54)

Hurricanes and flooding events substantially elevate indoor fungal spore levels, which have been associated with increased risks of developing childhood asthma and other adverse respiratory outcomes. Although environmental fungal compositions following major hurricanes have been well characterized, the fungal communities within the nasal cavity (i.e., the nasal mycobiome) of exposed individuals remain unexplored. We collected nasal swab samples from infants following Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during two periods (March to August 2018 and February to September 2019). We processed a total of 58 samples (26 from the first year and 32 from the second year post-Hurricane Maria) and performed internally transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequencing to characterize and compare the infant nasal mycobiome between the two groups. Although alpha-diversity did not differ significantly, beta-diversity analyses revealed significantly different fungal compositions between the two groups (p <0.01). Infants exposed during the first year post-Hurricane Maria had significantly higher abundances of Alternaria, Eutypella, Schizophyllum, and Auricularia, compared to infants from the second year. Alternaria was also more prevalent in the first-year than in the second-year infants (42% vs. 9%, p = 0.01). Our study provides evidence linking early-life hurricane exposures to elevated risks of developing childhood asthma. Full article

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 study performed a phylogenomic analysis of the C2H2 gene family across 30 Basidiomycota species, identifying 1032 genes distributed across six evolutionary clades (Groups I–VI). Functional diversification and lineage-specific expansions were observed: Group II (37.1%) formed a conserved core, while wood decayers (e.g., Schizophyllum commune) and edible fungi (e.g., Pleurotus ostreatus) exhibited clade-specific expansions in Groups III and V, respectively. Physicochemical profiling revealed an acidic bias in Agaricomycotina proteins (pI 4.3–5.8) compared to alkaline trends in pathogens (Ustilaginomycotina/Pucciniomycotina; pI 8.3–8.6). Comparative genomics indicated that saprotrophs retained long genes (12.4 kb) with abundant introns (mean = 6.2/gene), whereas pathogens exhibited genomic streamlining (introns ≤ 2). Synteny network analysis revealed high ancestral conservation in core clusters (Cluster_1–2: 58% homologs) under strong purifying selection (Ka/Ks = 0.18–0.22), while peripheral clusters (Cluster_Mini) approached neutral evolution (Ka/Ks = 0.73). This study reveals stage-specific expression dynamics of 17 C2H2 zinc finger genes in Sarcomyxa edulis, highlighting their roles in coordinating developmental transitions (e.g., SeC2H2_1 in low-temperature adaptation, SeC2H2_7/12 in primordia initiation, and SeC2H2_8/9/13 in fruiting body maturation) through temporally partitioned regulatory programs, providing insights into fungal morphogenesis and stress-responsive adaptation. These findings underscore the dual role of C2H2 genes in sustaining conserved regulatory networks and facilitating ecological adaptation, providing new insights into fungal genome evolution. Full article

The A mating-type locus in Schizophyllum commune, which encodes homeodomain (HD) transcription factors, is essential for regulating sexual compatibility and development. While the role of the Aα sublocus and its Y-Z HD protein complex is adequality understood, the function of HD proteins at the Aβ sublocus remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the Aβ sublocus of eight monokaryotic S. commune strains derived from the parental dikaryotic strain 20R-7-Z01 and identified four HD genes, abr, abs, abv, and abq, located at the Aβ sublocus. These genes encode two HD1 proteins (S and Q) and two HD2 proteins (R and V). Protein structure prediction, interaction assays, and in vivo functional analyses revealed that R-S and V-Q interactions independently regulate sexual compatibility and fruiting body development. This research highlights the critical role of the Aβ sublocus in fungal reproduction and provides valuable insights for breeding edible and medicinal S. commune strains. 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

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) waste presents a major environmental concern due to its high and widespread use. This study explores the potential of fungal mycelium as a bioremediation solution for LLDPE degradation, by evaluating on mycelial growth efficiency, ligninolytic enzyme activity, weight loss, surface morphology changes, and economic feasibility. Among the tested fungal species, Schizophyllum commune WE032, Lentinus sajor-caju TBRC6266, and Trametes flavida AM011, S. commune demonstrated the most vigorous mycelial expansion (20.53 mm/day) and highest biomass accumulation (276.87 mg). Screening for ligninolytic enzymes revealed significant laccase (Lac) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity in all three species indicating their potential in polymer degradation. Weight loss analysis showed that S. commune achieved the greatest LLDPE degradation (1.182% after 30 days), highlighting its enzymatic and metabolic efficiency in breaking down synthetic polymers. Surface morphology studies supported these findings, revealing substantial erosion was observed in LLDPE sheets treated with S. commune and L. sajor-caju, confirming their effectiveness in polymer disruption. FTIR analysis indicated the formation of new functional groups and alterations in the carbon backbone, suggesting active depolymerization processes. Economic evaluation demonstrated that fungal biodegradation is a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable strategy, aligning with circular economy principles by enabling the generation of value-added products from plastic waste. Additionally, fungal-based waste treatment aligns with circular economy principles, generating value-added products while mitigating plastic pollution. These findings highlight fungal mycelium’s potential for plastic waste management, advocating for further research on optimizing growth conditions, enhancing enzyme expression, and scaling industrial applications. Future research will focus on integrating fungal bioremediation with biomass residues from agricultural and forestry sectors, offering a comprehensive solution for waste management and environmental sustainability. Full article

Nitric oxide (NO) is a widely recognized signaling molecule found across various organisms, yet its specific effects on fungal growth and development under anaerobic conditions remain underexplored. This study investigates how NO influences the growth and development of Schizophyllum commune 20R-7-F01 under anaerobic environments. The results demonstrated an increase in endogenous NO levels during mycelial growth and basidiospore germination. The addition of cPTIO, a NO scavenger, inhibited mycelial growth, delayed basidiospore germination, and reduced the expression of genes involved in basidiospore germination, highlighting the critical role of NO in fungal growth and development. On the other hand, exogenous NO supplementation accelerated mycelial growth and facilitated the formation of primordia, suggesting NO’s potential as a key regulator of fungal development. These findings deepen our understanding of NO’s contribution to fungal growth in anaerobic conditions and offer new perspectives on its role as a signaling molecule in the development of S. commune communities, shedding light on the metabolic regulation of anaerobic microorganisms. Full article

Schizophyllum commune, a Basidiomycota fungus with a tetrapolar mating system, serves as a key model for studying sexual reproduction. In this study, two distinct mating subtypes (I and II) were identified in strain 20R-7-ZF01, isolated from subseafloor sediment, which exhibited eight different mating interaction phenotypes. Intra-subtypes exhibited colony-symmetric tetrapolar interactions (G1), whereas inter-subtype crosses yielded colony-asymmetric phenotypes (G2) and a reduced number of fruiting bodies. Nuclear migration analysis revealed that both subtypes follow the same sexual reproductive process, suggesting functional similarities despite the different reproductive outcomes. Gene silencing of mating-type loci identified the genes bbp2-9 and bbp2-7 within the B locus as key factors in determining mating subtype identity. Additionally, a similar pattern of mating subtype differentiation was observed in five other S. commune strains from both subseafloor and terrestrial environments. These findings highlight the genetic diversity within S. commune, challenge the classical understanding of fungal mating systems, and provide new insights into the genetic evolutionary mechanisms governing fungi with tetrapolar mating systems. Full article

The screening of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by 52 isolates of endophytic and basidiomycete fungi was studied on two different media, PDB and PYGM. There were five isolates that could produce dried exopolysaccharide of more than 4 g/L (S. commune LF01962, LF01001, LF01581, Pycnoporus sp. MMCR00271.1, Pestalotiopsis sp. PP0005). The molecular weights of these exopolymers were found to be in the range of 2.5–500 kDa. These five exopolysaccharides, produced by five different fungal isolates, showed non-cytotoxic activity against NCTC clone 929 and HDFn cell lines. The selected fungal isolate of S. commune LF01962 was used for further optimization of different medium compositions affecting exopolysaccharide production using statistical methods. Among four conditions tested in the first step (xylose + peptone, glucose + (NH₄)₂HPO₄, fructose + peptone, and mannose + yeast extract), mannose + yeast extract resulted in the highest exopolysaccharide production of 5.10 ± 2.00 g/L. In the second step using Plackett–Burman design, the optimal medium for S. commune exopolysaccharide production was found to consist of 40 g/L glucose, 5 g/L mannose, 20 g/L (NH₄)₂HPO₄, 5 g/L yeast extract, 3 g/L monosodium glutamate, 0.5 g/L KH₂PO₄, 0.5 g/L K₂HPO₄, 0.2 g/L MgSO₄, 1 mL/L trace elements, and 3 mL/L vitamin solution, which resulted in 8.16 g/L exopolysaccharide production. Exopolysaccharide production in a 5 L bioreactor using small pellets as seed inoculum was found to produce 18.28 g/L exopolysaccharide. Full article

Morus nigra L. is rich in anthocyanins and other active ingredients, but its extraction residues pose a burden on the environment. In the present study, Morus nigra L. extraction residue resource utilization was achieved through liquid fermentation of Schizophyllum commune, with the aim of enhancing anthocyanin solubilization and evaluating anti-inflammatory activity. Response surface methodology was used to optimize fermentation parameters and quantify anthocyanin fractions by HPLC. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model of human foreskin fibroblast (BJ cell), and the interaction of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) with NLRP3, a key target of the pyroptosis pathway, was resolved by molecular docking. Our results indicated that the optimal conditions (substrate 3.4%, inoculum 9%, time 50 h) enabled the total anthocyanin to reach 85.1 μg/mL, of which the C3G content was elevated to 66.7 μg/mL (release efficiency of 83.9%). The fermented filtrate effectively promoted BJ cell proliferation and inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response, with the pyroptosis signaling pathway playing a significant role. Molecular docking confirmed that C3G binds strongly to the NLRP3 protein. This technology provides a new strategy for high-value utilization of Morus nigra L. residues and the development of natural anti-inflammatory drugs. Full article

Schizophyllum commune is an edible fungus with high medicinal value, but exposure to heavy-metal pollution poses significant health risks. Cadmium (Cd) toxicity inhibits fungal growth and leads to Cd accumulation in the mycelium. However, the regulatory mechanisms of Cd-induced growth inhibition and Cd accumulation remain poorly understood. Here, S. commune 20R-7-F01 was cultured in Cd-supplemented minimal medium (MM) to investigate the response of S. commune 20R-7-F01 to Cd exposure. We found that Cd exposure resulted in growth inhibition and a Cd-dependent increase in endogenous nitric oxide (NO) levels. NO production was primarily mediated by the nitrate reductase (NR) pathway. Cd-induced growth inhibition was alleviated by inhibiting NR activity or scavenging NO, highlighting the role of NO in stress responses. Furthermore, NO was found to enhance chitinase activity, thereby promoting Cd accumulation in the fungal cell wall and leading to growth inhibition. These results reveal a novel mechanism by which S. commune copes with Cd stress. This study highlights the potential of manipulating NO levels as a strategy to enhance fungal tolerance to heavy-metal pollution, providing a new avenue for managing environmental stresses in edible fungi and protecting human health. Full article

Hybrid gels combining chicken and mushroom offer innovative functional food choices, catering to the growing demand for flexitarian-friendly products. These gels reduce meat content while enhancing dietary fiber, bioactive compounds, and sustainability. This study examined the effects of split gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) powder (SGM) substitution (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%, w/w) for Ligor chicken meat in hybrid gels, focusing on rheological and gelling properties. The 25% SGM gel demonstrated optimal performance in terms of rheology, texture, microstructure, pH, water-holding capacity, and color. At this level, hybrid gels exhibited superior gelation properties, demonstrating elasticity dominance, as indicated by a higher storage modulus (G′) than loss modulus (G″), along with stable cohesiveness and unaffected springiness (p > 0.05). However, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly lower than the control (p < 0.05). Higher SGM levels (50–75%) markedly weakened the gels, reducing viscoelasticity, increasing porosity and water release, and causing discoloration. These findings highlight 25% SGM as an optimal level for hybrid meat gels, maintaining product quality while promoting sustainability in the meat industry. Full article

This study presents the first comprehensive proteomic profile of an Italian strain of Schizophyllum commune, a highly heterogeneous white-rot fungal species with significant potential for industrial, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and clinical applications. Three protein extraction methods and their impact on yield and resulting protein composition have been compared. Results revealed that the combination of Tris–Cl and urea increases the total protein yield and the variety of enzymatic species related to pivotal pathways. Notably, over 2000 proteins were identified, including enzymes involved in the growth and development of mycelium, trehalose biosynthesis, and different types of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). These enzymes are crucial for nutraceutical and agro-industrial applications of S. commune. The multiple-step proteomic approach used could be a model for investigating other fungal species. Full article

Owing to their nutritional, culinary, and nutraceutical, mushrooms are worldwide consumed and appreciated. Moreover, many of these mushrooms are also known as medicinal mushrooms since they possess several pharmacological properties attributable to a huge number of bioactive compounds derived from their sporophores. Several studies are available in the literature about in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of actions of such bioactive compounds. Most of these surveys are focused on macrofungi belonging to the genera Pleurotus, Ganoderma, or specific taxa such as Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus blazei, Boletus eduliInonotus obliquus, Hericium erinaceus, Lentinula edodes, and Grifola frondose. On the other hand, there is a lack of information on the under investigated ecological group of freshwater fungi. These fungi play a very important role in freshwater environments and some of them, belonging to Basidiomycota, are also edible and largely consumed. In this review we collected information about the medicinal properties of freshwater macro- and micromycetes. Among them, macrofungi, such as Amanita vaginata, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria tabescens, Astraeus hygrometricus, Auricularia auricula-judae, Bjerkandera adusta, Bovista nigrescens, Calocybe gambosa, Candolleomyces candolleanus, Collybia dryophila, Coprinus comatus, Cyclocybe cylindracea, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Inonotus hispidus, Lactarius controversus, Lentinus tigrinus, and Schizophyllum commune, observed in riparian habitat, and microfungi, such as Penicillium aculeatum, P. chrysogenum, and Fusarium incarnatum, isolated from aquatic plants, have been reported to have antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomoludatory, hypoglycaemic, and other pharmaceutical activities. Such fungal species are noteworthy since they represent an important quote of biodiversity to preserve their fundamental ecological role and a possible solution for different health problems for humans and animal farms. Full article

The split gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) is a valuable natural resource with high nutritional value and diverse bioactive metabolites, underscoring its potential for sustainable applications. By applying elicitors, this study highlights the quality enhancement of S. commune fruiting bodies, a commercially significant resource. While elicitors have been shown to stimulate beneficial bioactive compound production, research on their use in S. commune remains limited. This study applied methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at various concentrations (0, 4, 13, 22, 31, and 40 µM) to optimize growth, improve nutritional value, promote triterpenoid and phenolic compound synthesis, and boost antioxidant activity in S. commune. The results demonstrated that MeJA’s effects on growth and bioactive compounds are concentration-dependent. A concentration of 22 µM was identified as the most effective, resulting in the highest growth performance, including cap diameter (2.01 cm), fresh weight (24.10 g), and biological efficiency (15.21%). Furthermore, all MeJA treatments significantly enhanced triterpenoid, phenolic compound, and antioxidant activity compared to the control. These findings present a promising approach to enhance the sustainable use of S. commune as a natural resource by improving its quality and bioactive properties. Additionally, this research contributes to understanding the role of MeJA in promoting the growth and production of bioactive compounds in mushrooms, offering insights for advancing mushroom-based natural resource management. Full article