Search Results (230)

Species of Sanghuangporus produce abundant bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids, among which flavonoids exhibit prominent antioxidant activity and great development potential. Taking the peak extracellular flavonoid (EF) concentration in fermentation broth as the index, we optimized the liquid fermentation media and conditions for three Sanghuangporus strains (wild S. vaninii Z-0090, cultivar S. vaninii Z-0119, and cultivar S. baumii Z-0118) via single-factor experiments and the Box–Behnken response surface methodology. We further evaluated the antioxidant activity of the fermentation broth and analyzed its correlation with EF concentration using Pearson correlation analysis. After optimization, the EF concentrations of strains Z-0090, Z-0119 and Z-0118 were increased by 22.82%, 13.47% and 16.66%, respectively, compared with the control group. Antioxidant assays showed that strain Z-0090 had the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging rate (88.63%), strain Z-0119 presented balanced performance across all antioxidant indicators, and strain Z-0118 exhibited the strongest ABTS radical scavenging capacity (184.96 μg Trolox equivalents/mL), which was highly correlated with its EF concentration. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of Sanghuangporus EFs in food, medicine, and industrial flavonoid production. Full article

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

This study investigates the potential of tsipouro liquid waste (TLW) as a sustainable substrate for cultivating the edible–medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus under static liquid fermentation. TLW naturally contains high glycerol levels and significant quantities of phenolic compounds; therefore, five media (0–50% v/v TLW) with varying phenolic concentrations and a standard initial glycerol level (~20 g/L) were prepared to simulate TLW-type substrates. Throughout fermentation, physicochemical parameters in the culture medium (pH, electrical conductivity, total sugars, free amino nitrogen, proteins, laccase activity, total phenolics, ethanol, glycerol) and biomass composition (intracellular polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, triterpenoids, antioxidant activity) were determined. Results showed that increasing TLW concentration enhanced biomass production and bioactive metabolite accumulation. The highest dry biomass (22.8 g/L) and protein (4.06 g/L) content were obtained in 50% v/v TLW, while maximum polysaccharides (6.8 g/L) occurred in 17% v/v TLW. Fungal growth led to a reduction of up to 74% in total phenolic content, indicating simultaneous bioremediation potential. Fruiting body formation—rare and uncommon in liquid cultures—occurred at the end of fermentation period. Fruiting bodies contained higher protein (24.5% w/w) and total phenolic compounds (13.36 mg GAE/g), whereas mycelium accumulated more polysaccharides (49% w/w). This study demonstrates that TLW can serve as a cost-effective, ecofriendly medium for producing high-value H. erinaceus biomass and bioactive metabolites, supporting circular bioeconomy applications in the alcoholic beverage sector. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different Effective Microorganism (EM) inoculation concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%) on the co-composting of Auricularia heimuer residue with chicken manure and the subsequent growth of maize. The aim was to enhance composting efficiency and promote maize productivity. Results showed that EM addition, particularly at medium concentrations, significantly accelerated the composting process by shortening the heating phase and prolonging the thermophilic period, with the 10% treatment reaching >50 °C by day 2. The 5–10% EM treatments markedly promoted the degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose, and enhanced key enzyme activities (e.g., cellulase and hemicellulase) during composting and maize growth stages. Regarding soil nutrients, the 5% EM treatment led to the most balanced increases in total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) contents, with rises of 58.7%, 47.8%, and 130.4%, respectively, during the seedling stage. For maize yield, this treatment enhanced total grain weight, hundred-grain weight, and root activity by 25.7%, 30.9%, and 53.2%, respectively, while also increasing dry matter and root weight. Redundancy and correlation analyses indicated strong positive relationships among root activity, soil TN, cellulase activity, and final yield. In conclusion, EM inoculation at 5–10% optimizes the composting process, improves substrate quality and nutrient supply, and promotes maize root development and yield, with 5% EM offering the most comprehensive benefits. This study provides a practical approach for agricultural waste recycling and sustainable maize cultivation. Full article

The JinEr mushroom (“Golden Ear”), a globally rare edible and medicinal macrofungus, comprises a symbiotic complex formed by the symbiotic association of Naematelia aurantialba (Tremellomycetes) and Stereum hirsutum (Agaricomycetes). However, the interactions between these fungi and their associated microbiome remain poorly understood. This study employed high-throughput amplicon sequencing, in situ microbial isolation and culture, and microbial confrontation assays to analyze microbial diversity, community structure, and potential functional roles of the endomycotic bacterial community within JinEr basidiomata and its cultivation substrate. Molecular analysis confirmed the heterogenous composition of the basidiomata, revealing N. aurantialba constitutes less than 20% of the fungal biomass, while S. hirsutum predominates, accounting for approximately 80%. Endomycotic fungi accounted for 0.33% (relative abundance) of the fungal community. Prokaryotic analysis identified Delftia and Sphingomonas as the dominant endomycotic bacterial genera within basidiomata, comprising 85.42% of prokaryotic sequences. Endomycotic bacterial diversity differed significantly (p < 0.05) between basidiomata and substrate, indicating host-specific selection. Cultivation-based approaches yielded 140 culturable bacterial isolates (spanning four families and seven genera) from basidiomata core tissues. In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that eight representative bacterial strains exhibited compatible growth with both hosts, while one Enterobacteriaceae strain displayed antagonism towards them. These findings confirm that the heterogeneous JinEr basidiomata harbor a specific prokaryotic assemblage potentially engaged in putative symbiotic or commensal associations with the host fungi. This research advances the understanding of microbial ecology in this unique fungal complex and establishes a culture repository of associated bacteria. This collection facilitates subsequent screening for beneficial bacterial strains to enhance the JinEr cultivation system through the provision of symbiotic microorganisms. Full article

To functionally enhance Tartary buckwheat and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of change, solid-state fermentation (SSF) was conducted using three edible-medicinal fungi—Auricularia auricula (A. auricula), Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), and Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus). The in vitro antioxidant (DPPH/ABTS) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were quantitatively evaluated. Notably, SSF with H. erinaceus specifically elevated α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by 50% under the tested conditions. Non-targeted metabolomics further profiled metabolite alterations to identify key up-regulated bioactive compounds. Epicatechin gallate (ECG) was significantly up-regulated in all three samples, and the fold change in quercetin 3′-O-sulfate in GFTB was significantly higher than that in the other two samples. Metabolic pathway analysis identified the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides as the most prominently affected pathways. This study demonstrates that SSF with edible-medicinal fungi is an effective bioprocessing strategy to boost the bioactivity and value of Tartary buckwheat. Full article

Pleurotus giganteus, a heat-tolerant mushroom with high nutritional and medicinal value, is a promising species for tropical mushroom cultivation in Hainan, China. However, its current dependence on rubber sawdust as the primary substrate compromises environmental sustainability. In this study, we applied a “replacing wood with grass” strategy and used a simplex-lattice design to optimize substrate formulations based on agro-residues. Laboratory screening identified banana straw and chili straw as effective substitutes for rubber sawdust, supporting rapid and dense mycelial growth. Mixed formulations showed distinct advantages in mycelial growth, enzyme activity, agronomic traits (growth cycle, yield, and cap-to-stipe ratio), and nutritional composition compared to the control formulation (CF), particularly in terms of growth rate and laccase activity. Correlation analyses revealed that both individual ingredients and their interactions significantly affected mycelial growth and agronomic traits, with the magnitude and direction of effects depending on their relative proportions. Based on expected response values for key evaluation indices, an optimal formulation (9.97% rubber sawdust, 24.33% banana straw, 10.70% chili straw, 40% cottonseed hulls, 10% wheat bran, and 5% lime) was predicted and experimentally validated to outperform the CF. This study provides a sustainable basis for localized cultivation of P. giganteus in Hainan and supports the high-value valorization of agricultural residues for mushroom production. Full article

Against the backdrop of global food security and circular agriculture development, edible fungi, as a high-protein food source, have both ecological and economic value in their production model using agricultural and forestry wastes. Based on the “Cycle Production of Plants, Animals, and Fungi” theory, this paper systematically reviews the research progress of alternative substrates for edible fungi. First, alternative substrates are categorized into plant-derived, animal-derived, and microbial-derived types according to their sources. The physicochemical properties, application status, and bottlenecks of each type are analyzed, such as difficult lignin degradation in plant-derived substrates, pollutant risks in animal-derived substrates, and lack of unified application standards for microbial-derived substrates. Second, the mechanisms of key influencing factors including substrate nutritional content, pH and moisture content are elaborated. Furthermore, the paper points out current industrial challenges such as regional resource heterogeneity, difficult control of pretreatment parameters, pollutant residues, and poor batch stability, and summarizes targeted optimization strategies, including regional substrate formulations, precise pretreatment technologies, nutritional regulation, and circular utilization models. Finally, future directions are prospected from four aspects: localized resource utilization, technological innovation, circular model upgrading, and standardized governance, providing theoretical support for the large-scale and sustainable development of the edible fungi industry and contributing to agricultural waste resource utilization and the achievement of “dual carbon” goals. Full article

To achieve synchronous regulation of growth and lignocellulose degradation in Pleurotus ostreatus (PO-01) during fungal residue biorefining, we systematically evaluated O₂ gradients (5%, 20%, 40%) and N₂/CO₂ regarding mycelial development, lignocellulose degradation, and bioethanol potential. A total of 20% O₂ emerged as the critical threshold, balancing mycelial growth (which was faster than that under 5% O₂) and lignocellulose degradation (with lignin degradation rate reaching 15.29%). Metabolomics identified 53 aromatic derivatives related to lignin degradation, with their abundance correlating with actual lignin degradation rates. Meanwhile, it clarified the synergistic degradation mechanism and bioinformatics characteristics of key lignin-degrading enzymes and confirmed the AA9 gene associated with cellulose degradation at the molecular level. Measurements of polysaccharide content and ethanol yield revealed that the 20% O₂ environment led to a remarkably high ethanol yield of 101.90 L·ha⁻¹. In contrast, 5% and 40% O₂ concentrations not only reduced the polysaccharide content but also inhibited bioethanol production, highlighting O₂ as a crucial factor in regulating the synergy between growth and degradation. After comprehensive analysis, this study designated 20% O₂ as the optimal parameter for the integrated biorefining of fungal residues, offering a gas-phase solution to overcome industrial bottlenecks in biofuel production. Full article

Grifola frondosa is a rare fungus valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties; however, its bacterial spot disease has been largely overlooked. Thus, this study systematically investigated, isolated, and identified the pathogen and evaluated control strategies for bacterial spot disease affecting G. frondosa cultivation in Qingyuan County, Zhejiang Province. Through integrated morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis, and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (16S rRNA, gyrB), Priestia aryabhattai was identified as the causal pathogen. This pathogen exhibited host specificity, infecting only G. frondosa and Pleurotus ostreatus, inducing primordial growth arrest and causing spots on the stipe of mature fruiting bodies. Control assessments revealed significant antimicrobial efficacy for four chemical agents, benziothiazolinone, copper sulfate, ethylicin and tetramycin, three plant extracts, garlic, leek and onion, and two biocontrol strains, Chlorophyllum molybdites and Aspergillus fumigatus. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that these treatments caused ultrastructural damage to the pathogen’s cells, including membrane shrinkage, depression, and perforation. These findings establish key pathogenic characteristics and provide a scientific foundation for integrated disease management, supporting sustainable G. frondosa cultivation. Full article

To rationally utilize Morchella germplasm resources, this study investigated 13 phenotypic traits in 231 Chinese Morchella germplasm accessions. Accessions were stratified by cap color and subjected to comparative analyses using four sampling methods, five sampling intensities, two genetic distance metrics, and four hierarchical clustering algorithms to determine the optimal strategy for core collection construction. The optimal sampling strategy for core collection construction was identified using six evaluation. Phenotypic traits of the core collection were evaluated using genetic diversity eigenvalues, t-tests, F-tests, and systematic clustering, with confirmation via principal component analysis. The results indicate that the logarithmic ratio method yielded the smallest differences in group proportions, making it the optimal sampling method. A 15% sample intensity proved optimal, with Euclidean distance outperforming Mahalanobis distance. The longest-distance method was determined to be the optimal clustering approach. Within the optimal sampling strategy combination, the CR value reached its maximum (97.77%). Ultimately, 34 Morchella germplasm resources were extracted, accounting for 14.72% of the total germplasm (original germplasm). The mean values, standard deviations, and genetic diversity of phenotypic traits were similar between the original germplasm and the core collection. However, the coefficient of variation for quantitative traits showed significant differences. In the t-test, only the maturity period showed a significant difference. In the F-test, only the cap length/width and maturity period showed significant differences. Cluster analysis grouped the germplasm resources of the core collection and the original germplasm into relatively consistent clusters. In principal component analysis, the eigenvalues and cumulative contribution rates of the first four principal components were higher for the core collection than for the original germplasm. This indicates that the core collection eliminated most genetic redundancy while preserving the genetic diversity of the original germplasm. The core collection selection is representative and can be effectively utilized as breeding material. This study provides a reference for the effective utilization and germplasm innovation of Morchella germplasm resources. Full article

Edible mushrooms have gained global popularity due to their nutritional value, medicinal properties, bioactive compounds and industrial applications. Despite their long-standing roles in ecology, nutrition, and traditional medicine, their additional functions in cultivation, breeding, and classification processes are still in their infancy due to technological constraints. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has transformed the cultivation process of mushrooms, genetic breeding, and classification methods. However, the analysis of the application of AI in the mushroom production cycle is currently scattered and unorganized. This comprehensive review explores the application of AI technologies in mushroom cultivation, breeding, and classification. Four databases (Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and PubMed) and one search engine (Google Scholar) were used to perform a thorough review of the literature on the utility of AI in various aspects of the mushroom production cycle, including intelligent environmental control, disease detection, yield prediction, germplasm characterization, genotype–phenotype integration, genome editing, gene mining, multi-omics, automatic species identification and grading. In order to fully realize the potential of these edge-cutting AI technologies in transforming mushroom breeding, classification, and cultivation, this review addresses challenges and future perspectives while calling for interdisciplinary approaches and multimodal fusion. Full article

Due to its ecological functions, huge economic benefits, and excellent nutritional and physiological activities, Lentinula edodes is a very popular edible fungus in Asia, especially in China. Changes in the distribution and population of wild L. edodes play an important role in conservation, variety improvements, and breeding. This investigation detected wild L. edodes in 28 provinces and municipalities in China, encompassing approximately 300 regions and natural reserves. MaxEnt analysis of 53 effective distribution locations indicated that host plants, Bio19 (precipitation in the coldest quarter), Bio10 (mean temperature of the warmest quarter), and Bio17 (precipitation in the driest quarter) made the most critical contributions to this model. The areas of suitable and highly suitable habitats were 55.386 × 10⁴ km² and 88.493 × 10⁴ km², respectively. Under four climate change scenarios, the L. edodes distribution was predicted to decrease and the suitable habitat area shifted to the north and west of China. The decrease in highly suitable habitat area ranged from 21.155% in the 2070s under the ssp1-2.6 scenario to 90.522% in the 2050s under the ssp3-7.5 scenario. This sharp reduction in habitat areas suggests that we should take measures to prevent the deterioration of the environment and climate and thus to ensure the survival of L. edodes. Full article

The resource utilization of peach wood as agricultural waste holds significant importance for the sustainable development of the edible fungi industry, yet its regulatory effects on the physiology and safety of Lentinula edodes (L. edodes) remain unclear. This study selected four L. edodes (F2, 0912, N5, and 215) and systematically analyzed their cultivation adaptability across five peach wood substrate proportions (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%). Results indicated that while high peach wood proportions inhibited laccase activity and delayed mycelial growth, high carboxymethyl cellulase and xylanase activity formed a critical compensatory effect, ultimately enhancing total yield. Peach wood improved production through strain-specific mechanisms. F2 increased via single mushroom weight gain, while N5 relied on xylanase-driven primordia differentiation to boost mushroom numbers. Adding peach wood significantly increased crude protein, crude lipid, and total polysaccharide in F2, maintaining normal agronomic traits and increasing secondary mushroom proportion. Safety risks focused on arsenic accumulation, with 80% peach wood causing F2 to exceed control levels, albeit remaining far below the national standards. This study is among the first to elucidate peach wood’s temporal enzyme regulation for the maintenance of L. edodes yield. Future optimization through peach wood pretreatment and low arsenic strain selection could provide technical support for the high value utilization of agricultural waste. Full article

Dictyophora rubrovalvata is a soil-cultivated edible fungus with high economic and medicinal value, yet its continuous cultivation is frequently hindered by cropping obstacles. To elucidate the underlying ecological mechanisms, this study employed metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics (UHPLC–OE–MS) to analyze the changes in soil microbial communities and metabolite profiles under different continuous cropping treatments (CC0: Uncultivated; CC1: one cropping cycle; CC2: two cropping cycle; CC3: three cropping cycle.). Continuous cropping significantly decreased soil pH from 7.94 to 7.52 and available phosphorus (AP) from 213.69 mg/kg to 15.7 mg/kg, while increasing available nitrogen (AN) from 284.5 mg/kg to 886.33 mg/kg. The Shannon index of fungal communities rose from 3.15 to 4.55. Notably, the relative abundance of the beneficial bacterium Sphingomonas declined from 15.63% to 1.12%, whereas the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus increased from 0.06% to 3.06%. A total of 1408 secondary metabolites were detected, with 39 significantly upregulated and 416 downregulated in CC3 compared to CC0. Several autotoxic compounds, including ferulic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and jasmonic acid, were enriched and positively correlated with pathogenic fungi. These results suggest that continuous cropping may reshape the soil microecosystem by promoting autotoxic metabolite accumulation and pathogenic Microbial enrichment, thereby contributing to soil degradation and cropping obstacles. Full article