Search Results (19)

In the past few years, several mushroom poisoning incidents caused by Omphalotus species have occurred in China. In addition to O. guepiniformis and O. olearius, a new white Omphalotus species, O. yunnanensis, was discovered in Southwestern and Southern China based on morphological, molecular and toxin-detection evidence. Omphalotus yunnanensis is characterized by its small, cream to white basidiomata with a hygrophanous pileal surface, non-bioluminescent lamellae, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores (8–12.5 × 7–10 μm), fusoid to ventricose cheilocystidia with occasional apical outgrowths, cream to white pileipellis composed of thick-walled, subsoil to solid hyphae, clavate, and fusoid to ventricose caulocystidia with occasional apical outgrowths. The species has been discovered in tropical to subtropical areas in Southwestern and Southern China. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and nrLSU showed that the new species clustered with the Australasian species O. nidiformis, but can be easily distinguished by its smaller, white to cream pileus, non-bioluminescent lamellae, larger basidiospores and growing on Fagaceae species. Illudin S was detected in this new species using UPLC-MS/MS, at 6.98 to 86.1 mg/kg of the content (dry weight), while no illudin M was detected. Full article

Members of the genus Termitomyces frequently grow in association with termites. During the monsoon season of 2022 and 2023, a total number of 13 Termitomyces samples were collected from the Chiang Mai University campus, Thailand. The objective of this study was to identify the collected samples. Based on morphological and molecular investigations, six distinct species were identified from the collected specimens. Five species (T. griseobulbus, T. griseobrunneus, T. planiperforatorius, T. pseudoheimii, and T. salmonicolor) are described herein as new to science, while one species (T. acriumbonatus) represents a new record for Thailand. The multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the large subunit (nrLSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA, the small subunit of mitochondrial DNA (mtSSU), and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences confirmed that all six species belong to the genus Termitomyces. Full morphological descriptions, colour photographs, illustrations, and comparisons with phylogenetically and morphologically related species are provided. 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

Lactarius hatsudake is an economically important wild edible fungus in sub-tropical and temperate Asia. At present, little is known about its genetic diversity, mode of reproduction, and population structure in natural environments. In this study, we collected 102 specimens from eight geographic locations across three provinces in southwest China. Five simple sequence repeat markers that demonstrated high polymorphism were developed and used to analyze the patterns of genetic variations within and among the eight geographic populations. Analyses of molecular variance revealed that 60% of the observed genetic variation occurred among populations, with the remaining 40% attributable to within populations, while inter-provincial variation was nonsignificant. Combined analyses based on discriminant analysis of principal components, STRUCTURE, and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean identified two distinct genetic subpopulations with each genetic subpopulation showing a wide geographical distribution, a result consistent with ancient divergence and recent gene flow within this species in southwest China. Interestingly, excess homozygosity was observed at most loci in almost all of the eight geographic populations, consistent with inbreeding being common for this species in nature. Together, our results revealed the genetic diversity, mode of reproduction, and geographic structuring of this important wild mushroom in southwest China. Full article

Buchwaldoboletus xylophilus is an edible bolete species belonging to the family Boletaceae and the genus Buchwaldoboletus. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions, which are known for their rare wild resources. In this study, wild B. xylophilus was isolated and cultured, and its biological characteristics and artificial cultivation techniques were studied. The results show that the optimal carbon source, nitrogen source, and inorganic salt for the mycelium growth of B. xylophilus were maltose, ammonium tartrate, and magnesium sulfate, respectively. The most appropriate temperature was 28 °C, and the pH value was between 5 and 6. The most effective combination was determined via orthogonal experimentation, as follows: dextrose, ammonium nitrate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 28 °C. The results of artificial cultivation in mushroom houses show that the mycelium of B. xylophilus was strong and grew well on the culture medium. The mycelial growth rate was 4.54 mm/d, and the fungus bags were filled about 50 days after inoculation. The primordia formed 9 to 14 days after covering with soil and the fruiting body matured in 6~8 days. The average yield of fresh mushrooms reached 131.07 ± 29.38 g/bag, and the average biological efficiency reached 28.48 ± 6.39%. In this study, artificial cultivation technology in respect of B. xylophilus in mushroom houses is reported for the first time. The fruiting bodies obtained through cultivation were identified using morphological and molecular biological methods. This technology offers benefits such as affordability, a brief cultivation cycle, substantial yields, and superior quality, making it ideal for industrial-scale and extensive cultivation. Full article

The diversity and resource potential of macroscopic fungi in tropical regions remain understudied. Vietnam, being in a biodiversity hotspot, has a large number of new fungal species that are of interest for biotechnology and medicine. The presence of a large number of protected areas in Vietnam creates favorable opportunities for the study and ex situ conservation of tropical biodiversity. From 2012 to 2023, 785 strains of macrofungi from National Parks of Vietnam were preserved in the LE-BIN collection, 327 of which were barcoded with the sequences deposited in the NCBI GenBank. A taxonomic analysis demonstrated that many of the preserved isolates are potentially new or poorly studied species, representing a useful resource for taxonomical studies and a search for new medicinal mushrooms. More than 180 strains were studied for the first time for growth rate and enzymatic activities. Of these, 53 strains showed high growth rate, 43—high cellulolytic activity, 73—high oxidative enzymes activity, and 27 showed high proteolytic activity, making them promising candidates for biotechnological and medical applications and opening new opportunities for sustainable biomass management, discovery of new enzymes and bioactive substances, development of new drugs and efficient plant waste treatment technologies. The results confirm the importance of the ex situ conservation of fungal diversity in tropical regions as a valuable source for scientific and commercial applications and suggest certain new active strains for biotechnological study. Full article

This study evaluates the mycoremediation potential of wild mushroom species from Chiapas, Mexico, specifically for high copper concentrations. Nine fungal carpophores were collected from tropical forests near coffee plantations. The morphological characteristics of the fungal strains and fruiting bodies were analyzed. Each specimen was identified through sequencing using the ITS₁ and ITS₄ primers. The ability to tolerate different concentrations of copper was evaluated by determining the fungal mycelial growth inhibition potential. Copper bioaccumulation by the fungi was quantified using biosorption assays with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The enzymatic activity of laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase from the fungal species was also determined in the presence of copper. Phylogenetic analysis identified the fungal species as Agaricus bisporus, A. subrufescens, Calvatia fragilis, Ganoderma coffeatum, G. lucidum, Pleurotus djmor, P. floridanus, Trametes elegans, and T. versicolor, all classified within the Agaromycetes class. The nine fungal species exhibited varying abilities to tolerate Cu²⁺ concentrations from 30 to 100 mg L⁻¹. At 30 and 60 mg L⁻¹ Cu²⁺, the G. lucidum H14-35 strain demonstrated the highest biosorption capacity, reaching 76.97%. Overall, the mushrooms in this study showed strong Cu²⁺ tolerance and biosorption, making them promising biomaterials for remediating copper-contaminated soils. Full article

Malaysia, a country with a tropical climate characterized by consistent warmth and year-long high humidity, houses the perfect conditions for mushroom growth. Recently, there has been a surge in back-to-nature activities in Malaysia. However, many participants lack prior knowledge about the local flora and fungi, leading to a rise in mushroom poisoning cases, some of which have been fatal. Despite thorough research, there is a notable lack of identification studies specifically focused on mushroom species in Malaysia. Identifying these species is crucial for medical providers to effectively counteract the toxins from ingested mushrooms and also serves as an important educational tool. This study aims to determine the most suitable architecture for mushroom identification, focusing specifically on mushroom species found in Malaysia. A dataset of these mushrooms was curated, augmented, and processed through multiple variants of Vision Transformers (ViTs) and ResNet models, with uniform hyperparameters to ensure fairness. The results indicate that the ViT-L/16 model achieved the highest accuracy at 90.47%. Full article

Species of the genus Thelephora (Thelephorales, Thelephoraceae) are ectomycorrhizal symbionts of coniferous and broad-leaved plants, and some of them are well-known edible mushrooms, making it an exceptionally important group ecologically and economically. However, the diversity of the species from China has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, along with morphological observations of this genus. Four new species from China are proposed, viz., T. dactyliophora, T. lacunosa, T. petaloides, and T. pinnatifida. In addition, T. sikkimensis originally described from India is reported for the first time from China. Thelephora dactyliophora, T. pinnatifida, and T. sikkimensis are distributed in subtropical forests and mainly associated with plants of the families Fagaceae and Pinaceae. Thelephora lacunosa and T. petaloides are distributed in tropical to subtropical forests. Thelephora lacunosa is mainly associated with plants of the families Fagaceae and Pinaceae, while T. petaloides is mainly associated with plants of the family Fagaceae. Line drawings of microstructures, color pictures of fresh basidiomes, and detailed descriptions of these five species are provided. Full article

Phlebopus portentosus is a favorite wild, edible mushroom in the tropical region of China and northern Thailand. P. portentosus is the only bolete in the Boletales order that has been commercially cultivated. Sclerotia produced by the mushroom are often found in its natural habitats and cultivated media. These sclerotia play a key role in its life cycle. However, the regularity and growth characteristics of the sclerotium are unknown. In this paper, the whole process of birth, growth, death and rebirth of the sclerotium of P. portentosus under natural and lab conditions is reported for the first time. Sclerotium formation in nature is due to environmental stress, such as drought or low temperature. The less rainfall, the more sclerotia are produced. It appears that a lower temperature can also initiate sclerotium formation; however, the relationship between sclerotium formation and temperature is not as clear as that between sclerotium formation and rainfall. Under artificial conditions, the sclerotium formation of P. portentosus is related to the fungus’ physiological maturation. The presence of sclerotia is always accompanied by the exudation of liquid droplets on the colony. The results of this study should provide a platform for research on the importance of sclerotium formation in the life cycle of P. portentosus. Full article

Calocybe indica, generally referred as milky mushroom, is one of the edible mushroom species suitable for cultivation in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. However, lack of potential high yielding strains has limited its wider adaptability. To overcome this limitation, in this study, the germplasms of C. indica from different geographical regions of India were characterized based on their morphological, molecular and agronomical attributes. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS4)-based PCR amplification, sequencing and nucleotide analysis confirmed the identity of all the studied strains as C. indica. Further, evaluation of these strains for morphological and yield parameters led to the identification of eight high yielding strains in comparison to the control (DMRO-302). Moreover, genetic diversity analysis of these thirty-three strains was performed using ten sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers/combinations. The Unweighted Pair-group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA)-based phylogenetic analysis categorized the thirty-three strains along with the control into three clusters. Cluster I possesses the maximum number of strains. Among the high yielding strains, high antioxidant activity and phenol content was recorded in DMRO-54, while maximum protein content was observed in DMRO-202 and DMRO-299 as compared with the control strain. The outcome of this study will help the mushroom breeders and growers in commercializing C. indica. Full article

Edible wild mushrooms are extremely popular among consumers and are highly valued for their potential economic benefits in northern Thailand. In this present study, a total of 19 specimens of edible Amanita were collected during investigations of wild edible mushrooms in northern Thailand during the period from 2019 to 2022. Their morphological characteristics and the phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (nrLSU) of ribosomal RNA, RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit (rpb2) and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1) indicated that the collected specimens belonged to A. hemibapha, A. pseudoprinceps, A. rubromarginata, A. subhemibapha, and Amanita section Caesareae. This is the first report of A. pseudoprinceps and A. subhemibapha from Thailand. Full descriptions, illustrations and a phylogenetic placement of all specimens collected in this study are provided. Subsequently, the nutritional composition and total phenolic content, as well as the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, of each species were investigated. The results indicate that the protein contents in both A. pseudoprinceps and A. subhemibapha were significantly higher than in A. hemibapha and A. rubromarginata. The highest total phenolic content was found in the extract of A. pseudoprinceps. In terms of antioxidant properties, the extract of A. pseudoprinceps also exhibited significantly high antioxidant activity by 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. However, the extract of A. rubromarginata had the lowest total phenolic content and level of antioxidant activity. Additionally, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity varied for different Amanita species and the highest level of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was found in the extract of A. pseudoprinceps. This study provides valuable information on the nutrient content, phenolic content and the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of edible Amanita species found in northern Thailand. Full article

Dianella ensifolia is a perennial herb with thickened rhizome and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. This plant has the potential to be used as a source of herbal medicine. This study investigated further phytochemistry and tyrosinase inhibitory effect of some constituents isolated from D. ensifolia. Four new flavans, (2S)-4’-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavan (1), (2S)-3’,4’-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-8-methylflavan (2), (2S)-2’-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavan (3), and (2S,1′S)-4-hydroxy-4-(7-methoxy-8-methylchroman-2-yl)-cyclohex-2-enone (4), together with 67 known compounds, including 10 flavans (5–14), 5 flavanones (15–19), 3 flavone (20–22), 5 chalcones (23–27), 3 chromones (28–30), 15 aromatics (31–45), 7 phenylpropanoids (46–52), one lignan (53), 7 steroids (54–60), one monoterpene (61), one diterpene (62), 4 triterpenes (63–66), a carotenoid (67), 2 alkaloids (68 and 69), and 2 fatty acids (70 and 71) were isolated from D. ensifolia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and spectroscopic data analyses. Moreover, compounds 1–4, 8, 10–15, 20, 21, and 41 were evaluated for their mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory effect. Compounds 11 and 14 strongly inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity with IC₅₀ values of 8.6 and 14.5 μM, respectively. Full article

Modern metagenomic approaches enable the effective discovery of novel viruses in previously unexplored organisms. Termites are significant ecosystem converters and influencers. As with the majority of tropical forest insects, termites are studied insufficiently, and termite virome remains especially understudied. Here, we studied the virome of lichenophagous and mycophagous termites (Hospitalitermes bicolor, Macrotermes carbonarius and Odontotermes wallonensis) collected in the Cat Tien National Park (Vietnam). We assembled four full genomes of novel viruses related to Solemoviridae, Lispiviridae, Polycipiviridae and Kolmioviridae. We also found several contigs with relation to Chuviridae and Deltaflexiviridae that did not correspond to complete virus genomes. All the novel viruses clustered phylogenetically with previously identified viruses of the termites. Deltaflexi-like contigs were identified in the fungi-cultivating M. carbonarius and showed homology with viruses recently discovered in the edible basidiomycete mushrooms. Full article

Tropical bolete, Phlebopus spongiosus, is an edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom indigenous to northern Thailand. This mushroom has the ability to produce fruiting bodies without the need for a host plant. In this study, the technological cultivation of P. spongiosus was developed. Cultivation experiments indicated that fungal mycelia could completely colonize the cultivation substrate over a period of 85–90 days following inoculation of liquid inoculum. Primordia were induced under lower temperatures, high humidity and a 12-h photoperiod. Mature fruiting bodies were developed from young fruiting bodies within a period of one week. Consequently, yield improvement of P. spongiosus cultivation was determined by high-voltage pulsed stimulation. The results indicated that the highest degree of primordial formation, number of mature fruiting bodies and total weight values were obtained in cultivation experiments involving a high voltage of 40 kV. The total weight of the mushrooms increased by 1.4 times after applying high-voltage pulses when compared with the control. Additionally, the results revealed that the size of the fruiting body and the proximate composition of the fruiting bodies from high-voltage stimulation treatments were not different from the control. This research provides valuable information concerning successful cultivation techniques and yield improvement by high-voltage pulsed stimulation for the large-scale commercial fruiting body production of P. spongiosus. Full article