Search Results (535)

Twelve white-rot fungal isolates were evaluated for their potential to produce mycelium leather from rice straw, based on growth characteristics, biomass production, and mechanical properties. Among these, Trametes sp. SW25-2 exhibited rapid growth on culture medium and dense mycelial formation on rice straw substrate. The effects of nutrient supplementation, substrate-to-medium ratio, and processing conditions on mycelium-leather formation were systematically examined. No significant differences were observed among different carbon (glucose, maltose, and sucrose) and nitrogen sources (yeast extract, peptone, and ammonium sulphate), indicating that the fungus effectively utilised rice straw as the primary substrate. An optimal ratio of 1 g rice straw to 10 mL culture medium (90.9% moisture content) enabled complete colonisation and the formation of a compact mycelial structure, achieving a maximum tensile strength of 2.78 MPa under optimised hot-pressing conditions (120 °C, 60 s, 1 MPa). Hot-pressing conditions significantly influenced material properties. A higher temperature (120 °C) increased tensile strength but reduced elongation at break, while a lower temperature (60 °C) produced more flexible materials. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that post-treatment and hot pressing transformed the mycelial network into a dense and cohesive structure. The resulting mycelium leather demonstrated suitable physical properties and was successfully fabricated into prototype products, highlighting its potential as a sustainable bio-based material derived from agricultural waste. Full article

This study investigated the effects of curdlan (CUR) on the structural stability and thermal processing properties of Pleurotus eryngii mycelium–soy protein isolate–cassava starch gels used as bio-ink scaffolds for 4D-printed meat analogs. Bio-inks containing different CUR concentrations (0–5%, w/w) were prepared, and their rheological properties, 3D printability, microstructure, and water distribution were systematically evaluated. The fermented meat analogs were then subjected to steaming and baking to assess cooking loss, dimensional shrinkage, and textural properties. The results showed that CUR significantly increased the yield stress and structural recovery of the bio-inks while maintaining high height retention (>87%), thereby providing a favorable scaffold for mycelial growth and subsequent product formation. During thermal processing, CUR effectively mitigated structural collapse, which may be attributed to its heat-induced thermally irreversible gelation and the formation of an internal supporting network that resisted matrix contraction and dehydration. In particular, the addition of 5% CUR reduced cooking loss from 12.83% to 7.35% during steaming and from 42.52% to 38.59% during baking, while reducing shrinkage to 9.29% and 18.00%, respectively. In addition, hardness, springiness, and chewiness were significantly improved after cooking. Overall, CUR functioned not only as a rheological modifier for extrusion printing but also as a heat-activated internal supporting network during cooking, owing to its thermally irreversible gelation. Full article

Plant extracts and microbiological supernatants were subjected to qualitative and compositional analyses to characterize their bioactive profiles and assess their potential agricultural applications. The garlic (Allium sativum) extract was rich in allicin and selected free amino acids, contained betulin as the dominant triterpene, and displayed a favorable elemental profile with high levels of potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, with no detectable heavy metals. Detectable amounts of B-group vitamins and vitamin E isoforms were also identified. Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins and flavonoids in the garlic extract. The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) extract exhibited a significantly higher total phenolic content compared to the garlic extract, with qualitative analysis confirming the presence of saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, suggesting a broader spectrum of bioactive compounds. The two bacterial supernatants were characterized by HPLC analysis and differed in their metabolic profiles: the Enterobacter sp. fermentation broth contained glycerol, 2,3-butanediol, and acetic acid, while the Paenibacillus sp. supernatant additionally contained lactic acid, ethanol, and succinic acid, reflecting distinct fermentation pathways. The in vitro and greenhouse studies aimed to evaluate biological preparations for controlling wheat diseases caused by fungi of the Fusarium genus as well as diseases affecting the stem base. Plant extracts (garlic—Allium sativum, Jerusalem artichoke—Helianthus tuberosus) and supernatants (fermentation broths) obtained with the Paenibacillus and Enterobacter bacteria were tested at three concentrations. In laboratory experiments, the degree of inhibition of the growth of the mycelium of the tested fungal species was determined, while in greenhouse studies, the effectiveness in limiting the development of stem base diseases and the impact of the applied biopreparations on plant growth were evaluated. Among the plant extracts, H. tuberosus demonstrated superior antifungal activity, achieving up to 100% inhibition of R. cerealis mycelial growth at 10% concentration and reducing disease severity by 34.3% compared to the untreated control under greenhouse conditions. Paenibacillus sp. supernatant demonstrated strong in vitro antifungal activity. The results indicate that H. tuberosus extract represents a promising candidate for further field evaluation as a component of sustainable wheat protection programs. Full article

Background: Endophytic fungi are known for diverse bioactive compounds with immense potential for agriculture and medicinal applications. Coniochaeta dendrobiicola isolated from the roots of Dedrobium longicornu was investigated for its antioxidant and metabolite composition. The present study compares the antioxidant properties, flavonoid and phenolic contents and metabolic profiles of broth and mycelium extracts. The broth and mycelium extracts were tested for their antioxidant potential using DPPH, while the total flavonoid and phenolic contents were measured using a UV–VIS spectrophotometer. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) revealed a markedly richer and more diverse metabolite profile of putatively annotated compounds in the broth extract compared with the mycelium fraction. The broth extract exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity and flavonoid and phenolic contents, correlating with the presence of diverse bioactive compounds, including indole derivatives, flavonoids, phenolic acids, quinoline derivatives, and antifungal metabolites. Notably, several indole-related and phenolic compounds detected predominantly in the broth are known for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and plant growth-promoting properties. These findings indicate that C. dendrobiicola actively secretes biologically relevant secondary metabolites into the extracellular medium, highlighting its potential for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

In this study, we aimed to examine the multiplicative interaction model as a tool to assess the impact of plant extracts and fermentation products on the growth of mycelium of selected fungi. The materials used in the study included a total of 16 products. Plant extracts were obtained by the processes of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) or supercritical CO₂ extraction, and the fermentation broths were produced by Enterobacter and Paenibacillus bacteria in a bioreactor. All these products were examined in vitro using 12 cultures of frequently occuring pathogenic fungi collected from cereals and oilseed rape cultivation. For mycelium diameter in all three examined concentrations, the Additive Main impacts and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analyses showed substantial impacts of both the product and the pathogen as well as the product-by-pathogen interaction. It is advised that future plant protection techniques incorporate product E8, a plant extract (the CO₂ extract of a ginger plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family), since it demonstrated excellent stability and good average mycelium diameter values across all concentrations examined. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first time the AMMI model has been used to evaluate the impact of product–pathogen interactions on mycelium diameter. Full article

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) have already been applied in various fields, like construction, architecture, packaging, waste management and many others, as sustainable replacement materials. The composites created from such materials are lightweight, biodegradable and can take many different geometrical shapes. As there are many different combinations of fungal mycelium and organic substrates, it is not only important to investigate and determine which of these combinations perform best from an acoustic perspective but also from an environmental point of view. The sound absorption qualities of these biocomposites have been investigated. It was found that the sound absorption coefficients range from 0.33 to 0.49 in the mid-high frequency range for the four different mixtures of substrate and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The results from the acoustic testing are promising, but the environmental impact of these mycelium-based composites also needs to be determined. The impacts from water and especially from energy, used during the growth and preparation cycles, are the main contributors to the environmental impact of MBCs, which is also confirmed by the relevant literature. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted, utilizing the ReCiPe method, with selected environmental impact categories, based on real-world production data and the scientific literature. The results obtained were also compared with a commercially produced acoustical stone wool panel. The influence on environmental impact of the different substrates is also analyzed, determining which MBC is the most environmentally friendly and has the best acoustical properties. Full article

Botrytis cinerea and Plasmopara viticola, the causal agents of grey mold and downy mildew, respectively, are two major grapevine pathogens whose control largely relies on synthetic fungicides, raising environmental and health concerns. Plant-derived secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids involved in plant defense, represent promising sustainable alternatives. Among them, sakuranetin, a flavanone aglycone known for its antifungal activity in rice, remains poorly explored for grapevine protection. In this study, sakuranetin was purified from cherry branches (48 mg) and structurally characterized using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and NMR analyses. Its antifungal activity against B. cinerea and P. viticola was evaluated through in vitro, in vivo and in planta assays. For B. cinerea, our results showed a significant in vitro inhibition of mycelium growth, with EC₅₀ values of 16.43 mg·L⁻¹, while no protection of detached berries was observed. Against P. viticola, sakuranetin has no effect on the release of zoospores, but there is a total inhibition of spore germination at 1 mg·L⁻¹ in vitro, confirmed in vivo on a foliar disc. In planta, no significant protection is observed at 25 mg·L⁻¹, even if some targeted defense genes are induced. Further studies are needed to determine the best concentration of sakuranetin to use to manage B. cinerea and P. viticola in planta. Full article

With the continuous expansion of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation, substantial quantities of post-harvest spent mushroom substrate (SMS) are generated. Improper disposal of this organic waste poses potential threats to soil health, including contamination and ecological imbalance. Consequently, a rigorous safety assessment is indispensable to support the sustainable and agronomically viable utilization of SMS as a soil amendment. In this study, P. ostreatus SMS was subjected to sterilized and non-sterilized treatments, and a controlled co-culture system integrating P. ostreatus mycelium with wheat was established. This system facilitated a comprehensive evaluation of residual mycelium impacts on wheat growth and development at phenotypic, cytological, and non-targeted metabolomics (LC-MS) levels. Results demonstrated that direct field application of non-sterilized SMS severely compromised wheat performance, inducing root necrosis and significantly reducing grain set. Comparative experiments confirmed that non-sterilized SMS—not its sterilized counterpart—exerted pronounced phytotoxic effects, markedly inhibiting seedling growth and triggering wilting symptoms. To elucidate the temporal dynamics of mycelial interaction, wheat seedlings were inoculated with viable P. ostreatus mycelium and co-cultured for seven days. Under these conditions, the mean root length of the control group (10.82 cm) was approximately threefold that of the treatment group. Histopathological analysis revealed a progressive infection pattern initiating at the root apex and extending basipetally; prolonged exposure ultimately caused complete root system collapse. Scanning electron microscopy further showed extensive mycelial colonization on infected root surfaces, accompanied by characteristic cellular damage—including severe cell wall wrinkling and widespread cell death. LC-MS profiling identified 1867 annotated compounds. Comparative analysis revealed significant dysregulation of secondary metabolism, with 495 metabolites upregulated and 419 metabolites downregulated in the treatment group. Collectively, these findings provide robust evidence that unprocessed P. ostreatus SMS poses tangible agronomic risks upon direct soil application. This study establishes a critical scientific foundation for developing safe, evidence-based protocols for the valorization and integrated management of SMS. Full article

The majority of terrestrial plant species establish below-ground interconnections via arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) mycelium, thereby forming extensive common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). CMNs serve as critical infrastructure for nutrient acquisition, mediating soil nutrient capture and distribution. In nitrogen-fixing plants, phosphorus (P) transport is particularly dependent on functional CMNs. The rapid expansion in graphene oxide (GO) production and its broad application have raised significant ecological concerns, particularly regarding its potential impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Despite these concerns, the impact of GO on P transport dynamics within legume–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbioses remains critically scarce. This study established a symbiotic system using the model nitrogen-fixing legume Medicago sativa L. and AMF. This experimental system enabled a comprehensive assessment of GO effects on rhizosphere P mobilization, plant P acquisition, CMNs architecture, fungal community composition, and expression of key P transporter genes. Our results demonstrated that high GO concentrations significantly altered rhizosphere properties, increasing pH while reducing organic acid content and alkaline phosphatase activity. Furthermore, GO exposure significantly inhibited root growth, mycorrhizal colonization rates, and plant P acquisition efficiency. Additionally, GO exposure altered AMF community composition, reduced rhizosphere microbial diversity, and suppressed P metabolism gene expression. Specifically, 0.6% GO induced significant downregulation of MsCS and GigmPT by 83.5% and 62.3%, respectively. This indicates that GO impairs plant P uptake by disrupting the core pathway involving GigmPT and MsCS, triggering P stress in M. sativa. Collectively, these findings provide compelling evidence that GO exposure disrupts legume–AMF symbiotic integrity, ultimately impairing P transport efficiency. Full article

This study investigated the bioactive properties of fractions derived from Rhynchosia nulubilis cultivated with Ganoderma lucidum mycelium (RNGM), focusing on cytotoxic and apoptosis-related responses in cancer cells. Fractions obtained using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water were evaluated for cytotoxic effects against A549, Hep3B, HeLa, and HeLa229 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The phenolic acid composition of each fraction was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among the fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest total phenolic acid content and exhibited the strongest cytotoxic activity, particularly against HeLa cells. Apoptosis induction was supported by increased caspase-3/7 activity, apoptotic nuclear morphology observed by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. In addition, treatment with the ethyl acetate fraction upregulated p53 and Bax mRNA expression and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of RNGM induces apoptosis-mediated growth inhibition in cervical cancer cells. Full article

Antimicrobial metabolite production in basidiomycetes varies by strain and growing conditions. This study compared the antimicrobial activity of extracts from nine fungal strains at both their vegetative and reproductive stages. Wild-growing fungal fruiting bodies were collected and identified through both morphological characterization and molecular sequencing. Extracts from fruiting bodies, mycelia, and culture liquids were tested using the agar well diffusion method and by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Analysis revealed that the highest antimicrobial activity was associated with culture liquid extracts. Antimicrobial properties were detected in the submerged mycelium extracts of only two strains: Stereum hirsutum 1 and Flammulina rossica 16. For fruiting bodies, activity was restricted to extracts of strains from the genus Fomitopsis. The strain S. hirsutum 1 was determined to be the most effective producer of antibacterial compounds. The highest activity was exhibited by the S. hirsutum 1 culture liquid extract, with an MIC of 320 µg/mL against clinical Gram-positive strains (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium) and Gram-negative Proteus vulgaris. The studied strains demonstrated higher production of antimicrobial metabolites during vegetative growth, with the active compounds being primarily extracellular. Submerged cultivation of basidiomycetes offers an efficient method for obtaining antimicrobial metabolites, permitting their subsequent isolation, physicochemical characterization, and biomedical evaluation. Full article

To exploit wild mushroom resources in Tibet, a wild strain from Tibet was isolated, identified as Polyporust tuberaster, and domesticated for fruiting. Its growth characteristics were studied, and the antioxidant activities of the intracellular polysaccharides extracts (IPS) extracted from the mycelium and the extracellular polysaccharides extracts (EPS) from the fermentation broth were compared. The optimum carbon source for mycelial growth is fructose; the optimum nitrogen source is ammonium sulfate; the optimum pH is 5; and the optimum temperature is 20 °C. Both extracellular polysaccharide extracts (EPS) and Intracellular polysaccharide extracts (IPS) exhibited antioxidant capacity. The IC₅₀ values of EPS for scavenging OH·, ABTS·⁺, and DPPH· were 1.357, 0.125, and 0.683 mg/mL, respectively, while those of IPS were 0.595, 0.152, and 3.401 mg/mL. At 5 mg/mL, the FRAP values were 0.1582 (EPS) and 0.1708 (IPS). In cultivation, mycelium fully colonized bags after 32 d at 23 °C in darkness. Primordia formed within 12 d under 95% humidity with scattered light, and mature fruiting bodies developed after 24 d at 85–90% humidity and 20–23 °C, yielding an average fresh weight of 41.27 g per bag for the first flush. This study provides a basis for further development of P. tuberaster. Full article

The discovery of bidirectional microRNA transfer between two organisms during plant–microbe interactions and the ability of some fungal pathogens to absorb double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or short interfering RNA (siRNA) from the environment provided an impetus for exploiting this mechanism in plant defense against pathogens. In this study, we investigated the role of conserved wheat microRNAs (miRNAs), miRNA408 and miRNA159, in inducing plant defense responses and suppressing the virulence of the phytopathogenic ascomycete fungus Parastagonospora nodorum, mediated by necrotrophic effectors (NEs) encoded by SnTox genes regulated by fungal transcription factors (TFs). The foliar spraying with in vitro synthesized siRNA408 and siRNA159 duplexes before inoculation with SnTox3-producing P. nodorum isolate increased wheat plant resistance to the SnB isolate and suppressed the pathogen growth and development. Most likely, silencing of the miRNA408 target genes TaCAT-2A, TaCAT-2B, and TaCLP1, and the miRNA159 target gene TaMYB65, led to the induction of a defense response of wheat plants against P. nodorum. This defense response was characterized by a decrease in the catalase activity, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, activation of the expression of salicylic acid signaling pathway genes (TaWRKY13, TaPR1), and suppression of the expression of ethylene signaling pathway genes (TaEIN3, TaPR3). We demonstrated for the first time the ability of siRNA159 and siRNA408 to penetrate the mycelium of the pathogen P. nodorum and be involved in the cross-kingdom regulation of fungal genes to suppress the expression of some genes of NE (SnToxA, SnTox3) and fungal TFs (SnStuA). We predicted potential targets for wheat miRNA408 and miRNA159 in the P. nodorum transcriptome, making spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) promising for use against this pathogen. These results provide valuable insights for studying the cross-kingdom transfer of plant miRNAs. Full article

Sustainable agriculture is increasingly reliant on reducing anthropogenic inputs and recycling organic waste while protecting ecosystems. In this context, this study investigated the agro-environmental properties of biosulfate, focusing on its interaction with herbicides and its effects on soil fungi and horticultural plants. Two biosulfate samples obtained from urban sewage sludge from the Barletta (BIO-BA) and Foggia (BIO-FO) treatment plants were characterized by Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption/desorption of the herbicides metribuzin (MET), S-metolachlor (S-ME) and cycloxydim (CYC) on biosulfates was evaluated by studying adsorption kinetics and isotherms. All herbicides reached adsorption equilibrium within a few hours, according to pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating a predominant chemical interaction between biosulfate and the molecules. Considering the organic C content of BIO-BA (~21%) and BIO-FO (~17%), which was less than half that commonly measured for other organic fertilizers, such as compost and digestate, their adsorption capacity was high, with Freundlich adsorption constants ranging from 772 µg g⁻¹ (S-ME on BIO-BA) to 1464 µg g⁻¹ (CYC on BIO-FO). A low hysteresis coefficient indicated a rather slow and incomplete release of the molecules from the biosulfate. Exposure of the fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii to 1, 2, 3, and 4% BIO-BA and BIO-FO stimulated mycelium growth, indicating that responses depended on fungal species and biosulfate dose. Finally, germination and early growth of lettuce and basil were generally unaffected by either biosulfate, as parameters such as germination percentage, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry biomass were not statistically different from the control. Some growth stimulation was observed in basil. Overall, biosulfate appears to be a promising soil fertilizer, as it can contribute to soil organic matter, retain xenobiotics, and exert biostimulatory effects under controlled conditions. Full article

Extractions with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) as tunable, biocompatible and green solvents are a new widely applicable platform in cascading fractionation of highly complex biological materials. Roles of NADESs can be multiple, from extraction of phenolics and polysaccharides to stabilization or even support of biocatalysts and extracted compounds in further bioprocessing. Their utilization offers alternative valorization routes in comparison to conventional extractions, decreasing the GHG emissions of underexploited wasted biomass and fossil-based solvents. This study examined the potential of different NADESs as solvents in fractionation of three distinctive biological materials—corn stalks, common nettle, and mycelium of the higher fungus Fomes fomentarius. NADESs were used for delignification and extraction processes, and selected extracts were tested as substrates for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with an aim to enhance them through microbial biotransformation. For this purpose, D-glucose–glycerol (1:3), betaine–1,3 propanediol (1:4), and betaine–glycerol (1:2) NADESs were selected. According to the results, betaine–glycerol NADES was the most promising solvent for achieving the highest delignification rate and the highest yields of extracted polyphenols and polysaccharides. Moreover, the obtained extracts showed the ability to serve as growth media for LAB, emphasizing the possibility of establishing novel LAB-fortified products, aligning with circular and zero-waste biorefinery principles. Full article