The current status of biotechnological production and the application of a novel antioxidant ergothioneine

Ergothioneine is a sulfur-containing histidine derivative, that possessesexcellent antioxidant activity and has been used in the food and cosmetics industries. It plays a significant role in anti-aging and the prevention of various diseases. This review will briefly introduce the functions and applications of ergothioneine, elaborate the biosynthetic pathways of ergothioneine and describe several strategies to increase the production of ergothioneine. Then the efficient extraction and detection methods of ergothioneine will be presented. Finally, several proposals are put forward to increase the yield of ergothioneine, and the development prospects of ergothioneine will be discussed.

The Effects of Major Mushroom Bioactive Compounds on Mechanisms That Control Blood Glucose Level

Diabetes mellitus is a life-threatening multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by high level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes and its chronic complications have a significant impact on human life, health systems, and countries' economies. Currently, there are many commercial hypoglycemic drugs that are effective in controlling hyperglycemia but with several serious side-effects and without a sufficient capacity to significantly alter the course of diabetic complications. Over many centuries mushrooms and their bioactive compounds have been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially polysaccharides and terpenoids derived from various mushroom species. This review summarizes the effects of these main mushroom secondary metabolites on diabetes and underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for lowering blood glucose. In vivo and in vitro data revealed that treatment with mushroom polysaccharides displayed an anti-hyperglycemic effect by inhibiting glucose absorption efficacy, enhancing pancreatic β-cell mass, and increasing insulin-signaling pathways. Mushroom terpenoids act as inhibitors of α-glucosidase and as insulin sensitizers through activation of PPARγ in order to reduce hyperglycemia in animal models of diabetes. In conclusion, mushroom polysaccharides and terpenoids can effectively ameliorate hyperglycemia by various mechanisms and can be used as supportive candidates for prevention and control of diabetes in the future.

Multiplex PCR for the Identification of Pathogenic Listeria in Flammulina velutipes Plant Based on Novel Specific Targets Revealed by Pan-Genome Analysis

Listeria spp. is an important foodborne disease agent, often found in the fresh mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) and its production environment. The aim of this study was to develop multiplex PCR for rapid identification of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii, and nonpathogenic Listeria in F. velutipes plants. Pan-genome analysis was first used to identify five novel Listeria-specific targets: one for the Listeria genus, one for L. monocytogenes, and three for L. ivanovii. Primers for the novel targets were highly specific in individual reactions. The detection limits were 10³-10⁴ CFU/mL, meeting the requirements of molecular detection. A mPCR assay for the identification of pathogenic Listeria, with primers targeting the novel genes specific for Listeria genus (LMOSLCC2755_0944), L. monocytogenes (LMOSLCC2755_0090), and L. ivanovii (queT_1) was then designed. The assay specificity was robustly verified by analyzing nonpathogenic Listeria and non-Listeria spp. strains. The determined detection limits were 2.0 × 10³ CFU/mL for L. monocytogenes and 3.4 × 10³ CFU/mL for L. ivanovii, for pure culture analysis. Further, the assay detected 7.6 × 10⁴ to 7.6 × 10⁰ CFU/10 g of pathogenic Listeria spiked into F. velutipes samples following 4-12 h enrichment. The assay feasibility was evaluated by comparing with a traditional culture-based method, by analyzing 129 samples collected from different F. velutipes plants. The prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes was 58.1% and 41.1%, respectively. The calculated κ factors for Listeria spp., L. monocytogenes, and L. ivanovii were 0.97, 0.97, and 1, respectively. The results of the novel mPCR assay were highly consistent with those of the culture-based method. The new assay thus will allow rapid, specific, and accurate detection and monitoring of pathogenic Listeria in food and its production environment.

Upconversion Nanodevice-Assisted Healthy Molecular Photocorrection

Mushrooms are rich in ergosterol, a precursor of ergocalciferol, which is a type of vitamin D₂. The conversion of ergosterol to ergocalciferol takes place in the presence of UV radiation by the cleavage of the "B-ring" in the ergosterol. As the UV radiation cannot penetrate deep into the tissue, only minimal increase occurs in sunlight. In this study, upconversion nanoparticles with the property to convert deep-penetrating near-infrared radiation to UV radiation have been cast into a disk to use sunlight and emit UV radiation for vitamin D conversion. An engineered upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) disk with maximum particles and limited clusters demonstrates ∼2.5 times enhanced vitamin D₂ conversion.

Genetic sequence analysis and characterization of bioactive compounds in mushroom-forming fungi

Mushroom-forming fungi produce unique bioactive compounds that have potential applications as medicines, supplements, and agrochemicals. Thus, it is necessary to clarify the biosynthetic pathways of these compounds using genome and transcriptome analyses. This review introduces some of our research on bioactive compounds isolated from mushrooms, as well as genetic analysis with next-generation sequencing.

Ground Glass-Like Inclusions: Associated with Liver Toxicity

OBJECTIVE

The etiology of ground glass-like inclusions is heterogenous and the pathology has been described in various conditions including HBV infection, Lafora's disease, fibrinogen storage disease, type IV glycogenosis, and alcohol reversion therapy. Similar ground glass-like inclusions are also associated with immunosuppressed conditions and multiple medications, for which the clinical significance is still unclear. Additional cases, some with previously unreported unique etiologies, and their follow-up were described in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven cases were examined between 2008 and 2019 for this study. The clinical data and histologic slides were reviewed. All of the cases were negative for Hepatitis B virus. None of the patients declared alcohol intake or a history of epilepsy.

RESULTS

Liver histology showed mild lobular inflammation in most of the cases (72%). Ground glass-like hepatocytes were distributed in the patchy-panlobular, periportal, and centrizonal pattern at 55%, 27%, and 18%, respectively. Clinical history revealed medication use in nine (82%) patients including NSAIDs, steroids, and chemotherapy. Ground glass-like inclusions were related to herbal toxicity in two of the patients. Liver function tests were elevated in all of the cases. Follow-up data revealed four patients with malignancy who died of their cancer. Seven patients showed resolution of elevated liver enzymes with a median follow-up period of 37 months (range 7-132 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Medication is the most relevant etiology for the development of these inclusions. Ground glass-like inclusions may also seen in herbal toxicity. Transplantation was not an etiologic factor in our patients. Most of the patients displayed an indolent course with resolution of the elevated transaminases.

The Effects of Vitamin D-Enriched Mushrooms and Vitamin D3 on Cognitive Performance and Mood in Healthy Elderly Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Despite abundant cross-sectional evidence that low vitamin D status is associated with risk of cognitive decline in ageing, interventional evidence for benefits of vitamin D supplementation is lacking. This study was a 6 month randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of the effects of vitamin D3 (D3), enhanced vitamin D2 in a mushroom matrix (D2M), standard mushroom (SM) and placebo (PL) on cognition and mood in n = 436 healthy older male (49%) and female volunteers aged ≥ 60 years. Primary end points were change in serum vitamin D metabolites (25-OH-D, 25-OH-D2 and 25-OH-D3), cognitive performance, and mood over 24 weeks. Levels of total 25-OH-D and 25-OH-D3 were maintained in the D3 arm but decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the remaining arms (D2M, SM and PL). Analysis also revealed differential changes in these metabolites depending on total vitamin D status at baseline. There were no significant effects of treatment on any of the measures of cognitive function or mood. Overall, the results show that daily supplementation of ~600 IU of vitamin D3 was sufficient to maintain 25-OH-D throughout winter months, but in contrast to existing cross-sectional studies there was no support for benefit of vitamin D supplementation for mood or cognition in healthy elderly people.

Differentiation of European and Chinese Truffle (Tuber sp.) Species by Means of Sterol Fingerprints

The increasing demand of valuable truffles (Tuber sp.) has prompted new areas of naturally growing truffles entering the market. Hence, the identification of valueless Tuber species is an important task to prevent food fraud. Here, we show that sterol patterns are suited to differentiate five Tuber species (Tuber magnatum, Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum, Tuber albidum, and Tuber indicum varieties) from each other. Next to the known main sterols of Tuber, ergosterol and brassicasterol, occurrence of minor sterols in differing shares resulted in characteristic fingerprints in the five Tuber species, irrespective of the country of origin. A total of 27 sterols were evaluated, and we proposed assignment criteria of main sterol relations as well as eight distinct biomarkers within the minor compounds for the differentiation of European and Chinese truffles.

A mushroom derived 'carbohydrate-fraction' reinstates host-immunity and protects from Leishmania donovani infection

The anti-leishmanial effect of the 'carbohydrate-fraction', isolated from an edible mushroom Astraeus hygrometricus, was evaluated against Leishmania donovani infection both in vitro and in vivo. Ah_f-Car induced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 (iNOS2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-12, with subsequent downregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokines as TGF-β and IL-10, in vitro and in vivo along with a remarkable increase in the expressions of IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ and IRFs, IRF-7 and IRF-8 in vivo. Ah_f-Car also reduced the parasite burden in the spleen and liver dose-dependently with a simultaneous proliferation of Ly6C⁺ cells in the bone marrow of Leishmania-infected experimental animals. It also increased the monocyte population dose-dependently and the expression of the myeloid transcription factor PU.1, in vivo, which presumably signifies the expansion of protective macrophages. Thus, Ah_f-Car might be a potent anti-leishmanial lead with unique and effective adjuvant capacity.

Manufacture of Reduced Fat White-Brined Cheese with the Addition of β-Glucans Biobased Polysaccharides as Textural Properties Improvements

β-Glucan, isolated from the mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, at a concentration of 0.4%, was used in the manufacture of reduced-fat white-brined cheese from sheep milk. Control reduced-fat cheese was also produced from the same milk without the addition of β-glucan. The resultant cheeses were examined for their physicochemical characteristics, color and textural properties, and level of proteolysis and lipolysis. Furthermore, cheeses were evaluated organoleptically. In general, there were no statistical differences in the physicochemical characteristics and proteolysis levels found between both cheeses. The addition of β-glucan improved textural properties, and the cheeses received favorable grades for all the organoleptic characteristics. There were no flavor defects (such as a bitter taste) described by the panellists in this study. Generally, the addition of β-glucan did not significantly affect total free fatty acid content; however, at 180 days of ripening and storage, cheeses with the addition of β-glucan had a higher (p < 0.05) content than cheeses without β-glucan. The major fatty acids were acetic acid and capric acid.

Polar Lipid Fraction from Golden Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) Suppresses Colon Injuries from Inflammatory Stresses in vivo and in vitro

The rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in East Asian countries has necessitated the implementation of preventive methods in the form of dietary supplementation and changes in dietary habits. We have previously reported that dietary golden oyster mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) ethanol extract (GOMEE) suppresses intestinal inflammation in mouse models of IBD induced by dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS). Here, we investigated the components of GOMEE that exert suppressive effects on colon inflammation in vivo and in vitro. The total lipid fraction was extracted from GOMEE, and the polar and neutral lipid fractions were subsequently separated via solvent fractionation. Mice were assigned to dietary groups-control, 1% total lipid, 1% polar lipid, or 1% neutral lipid diet-and fed the respective diets for one week; mice were administered 1.5% DSS in drinking water ad libitum for 20 days. Dietary supplementation with the total or polar lipid fraction alleviated DSS-induced chorionic crypt injury as determined by morphological observation, while dietary supplementation with the neutral lipid fraction did not produce such effects. In the in vitro study, using differentiated Caco-2 cells as the colon model, treatment with the total or polar lipid fraction suppressed cell decrease by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis whereas treatment with the neutral lipid fraction did not. Moreover, accumulation of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), a fungal sphingolipid, was observed in the intestinal cells after treatment with polar lipid fraction. These results suggest that the active components of GOMEE that suppress colon inflammation are polar lipids, especially GlcCer. The structure of mushroom GlcCer differs from that of the plant counterpart and is therefore expected to exert different food functions.

Mushroom Bulgaria inquinans Modulates Host Immunological Response and Gut Microbiota in Mice

We aimed to determine the prebiotic impact of Mushroom Bulgaria inquinans (BI) on the host immune response and gut microbiota. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 1, or 2% BI for 4 wks. Compared to mice fed with a control diet (0% BI), mice fed with 1 or 2% BI had an increase of T cell proliferation from the spleen, but such change was not found between 1 and 2% BI treated mice. Also, BI at 2% increased the production of IL-2 of splenocytes stimulated with T-cell mitogens, but BI at 1 and 2% did not affect productions of other splenic-T cell cytokines including IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ. Interestingly, BI at 1 or 2% inhibited T cell proliferation of mesenteric lymph node (mLN) but this effect was not found between 1 and 2% BI treated mice. Furthermore, BI inhibited the production of IL-2 in anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated T cells from mLN in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, BI at 2%, not 1% inhibited the production of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ of mLN. Since BI at 2% produced a more significant effect on the immune response, we further used BI at 2% to evaluate the effect of BI on gut microbiota. Of note, BI reduced the diversity of gut microbiota and resulted in an increase of Faecalibaculum and Parabacteroides abundance and the decrease of Allobaculum, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and Rikenella abundance at the genus level. Finally, the correlation was observed between specific bacteria genera and the productions of T-cell cytokines from mesenteric lymphocytes: Rikenella and Candidatus_Saccharimonas correlated positively with IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ; Bacteroides and Parabacteroides correlated negatively with IL-2 and IL-4; Faecalibaculum correlated negatively with IFN-γ and IL-4 and Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium correlated negatively with IFN-γ. The specific role of each intestinal microbiota observed is still unclear, but BI might exert a prebiotic effect on gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (Faecalibaculum). This is helpful for further demonstrating the healthy-promotion mechanism of B. inquinans.

Macrofungi: A review of cultivation strategies, bioactivity, and application of mushrooms

The production of macrofungi (mushrooms) as well as their economic value have been steadily increasing globally. The use of functional foods, dietary supplements, and traditional medicines derived from macrofungi is increasing as they have numerous health benefits as well as abundant nutrients. Macrofungi are diverse with complex and highly varied growth conditions and bioactive constituents, most macrofungal resources have not yet been fully explored and applicated, leading to an urgent need for appropriate strategies to address the problem. Increasing attention has been paid to the macrofungal cultivation and application, in particular, potential prebiotics. Herein, the present review comprehensively summarizes recent progress in the cultivation, newly identified bioactive constituents, and their effects on gut microbiota as well as the potential ways in which they affect human health. Moreover, the macrofungal food development is discussed to improve food nutritional value and change the quality characteristics of food. Finally, the review addresses consumer safety concerns and the prospective genetic manipulation of macrofungi. We hope that this review can provide a comprehensive research reference for ensuring the safety and efficacy, along with maximizing the value and profitability of macrofungi production.

SMRT-based mitochondrial genome of the edible mushroom Morchella conica

Morchella conica Pers. is a highly-prized mushroom for its edible and medical values. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of M. conica combining both PacBio and Illumina sequencing technologies. The complete mitochondrial genome is 280,763 bp in length with a GC content of 39.88%. We identified a total of 14 core conserved protein-coding genes, 127 non-conserved open reading frames (ncORFs) and 30 tRNA genes in the M. conica mitogenome. However, no large or small rRNA subunits (rnl or rns) were identified in this mitogenome. In addition, we detected two mitochondrial RNase P (rnpB) genes and one ribosomal protein genes (rps3). Phylogenetic analysis was performed among M. conica and 18 other representative fungi from Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. Our results showed that M. conica was most closely related to M. importuna. The availability of the M. conica mitochondrial genome will form the basis of genetic breeding program and enhance our understanding of the evolution of this species.

In vitro antioxidants and hepatoprotective effects of Pleurotus tuber-regium on carbon tetrachloride-treated rats

Objectives This study has characterized the phytoconstituents and evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Pleurotus tuber-regium induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In vitro antioxidant assay of ethanol extract of P. tuber-regium and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses to identify the phytoconstituents were carried out. Methods Sixty rats were divided into six groups of 10 animals in each group and treated as follows for 13 weeks. Group I (control) received 3 mL/kg olive oil intraperitoneal twice weekly in addition to feed and water ad libitum. Group II received CCl4 3 mL/kg twice weekly. Groups III, IV and V received 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg wild edible P. tuber-regium mixed with feed by ingestion daily in addition to 3 mL/kg CCl4 twice weekly, respectively. Group VI received 500 mg P. tuber-regium daily. Liver and body weights were recorded. Liver function tests, oxidative stress biomarkers, bilirubin, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol were assayed. Histopathology of the liver was carried out. The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis yielded 10 antioxidants. Results CCl4 increased the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and malondialdehyde from 24±1.778 iu/L, 53±3.7 iu/L, 257±19 iu/L, 0.45±0.03 mg/dL and 1.90±0.42 μmol/L in the control group to 48±2.5 iu/L, 81±2.10 iu/L, 495±38 iu/L, 1.20±0.09 mg/dL and 14.0±2.6 μmol/L in the treated group, respectively. Conclusions P. tuber-regium prevented the necrosis, edema and vein congestion observed in the CCl4-only group. P. tuber-regium is effective in protecting the liver against CCl4-induced damage.

Effects of Sphingolipid Fractions from Golden Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) on Apoptosis Induced by Inflammatory Stress in an Intestinal Tract in vitro Model

Previously, we reported that the polar lipid fraction from the golden oyster mushroom, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, suppresses colon injuries which result from apoptosis induced by inflammatory stresses in vivo and in vitro (Yamashita et al., J. Oleo Sci., 69, 751-757 (2020)). Here, we investigated the use of lipid classes in mushroom polar lipid fraction in alleviating colon injury using differentiated Caco-2 cells as an intestinal tract model. The mushroom polar lipid fraction was separated into four fractions using silica thin layer chromatography. Each mushroom polar lipid fraction suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced decreases in the viability of intestinal cells, and the effects of sphingolipid fractions were significantly stronger than those of fraction that did not contain sphingolipids. Addition of sphingolipid fractions suppressed the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (e.g., death receptors and caspases) in the LPS-treated cells. Mushroom polar lipids, especially sphingolipids suppress intestinal apoptosis induced by inflammatory stress, and highly polar sphingolipids may exert stronger suppressive effects.

The Effect of UV Irradiation on Vitamin D2 Content and Antioxidant and Antiglycation Activities of Mushrooms

Mushroom irradiation has been considered a sustainable process to generate high amounts of vitamin D₂ due to the role of this vitamin for human health and of the global concerns regarding its deficient or inadequate intake. Mushrooms are also receiving increasing interest due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. However, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the effect of UV irradiation on mushroom bioactive compounds. In this study, two of the most cultivated mushroom species worldwide, Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus, were irradiated with UV-B, and the effect of processing was investigated on the contents of vitamin D₂ as well as on antioxidant and antiglycation activities. UV irradiation increased vitamin D₂ up to 57 µg/g d.w, which is an adequate level for the fortification of a number of target foods. UV irradiation decreased the antioxidant activity when measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6 trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl radical assay and the ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power assay, but did not decrease the mushroom’s ability to inhibit glycation of a target protein. These results open up a new area of investigation aimed at selecting mushroom species with high nutraceutical benefits for irradiation in order to maintain their potential properties to inhibit oxidative and glycation processes responsible for human diseases.

Effective Harvesting of Nannochloropsis Microalgae Using Mushroom Chitosan: A Pilot-Scale Study

For efficient downstream processing, harvesting remains as one of the challenges in producing Nannochloropsis biomass, a microalga with high-value omega-3 oils. Flocculation is an effective, low-energy, low-cost method to harvest microalgae. Chitosan has been shown to be an effective food-grade flocculant; however, commercial chitosan is sourced from crustaceans, which has disadvantages including concerns over heavy-metal contamination. Thus, this study tests the flocculation potential of mushroom chitosan. Our results indicate a 13% yield of chitosan from mushroom. The identity of the prepared chitosan was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, results show that mushroom chitosan can be an alternative flocculant with >95% flocculation efficiency when tested in 100-mL jar and 200-L vertical column photobioreactor. Applications in a 2000-L raceway pond demonstrated that thorough mixing of mushroom chitosan with the algal culture is required to achieve efficient flocculation. With proper mixing, mushroom chitosan can be used to produce food-grade Nannochloropsis biomass suitable for the production of vegan omega-3 oils as a fish oil alternative.

Development of a Sensory Flavor Lexicon for Mushrooms and Subsequent Characterization of Fresh and Dried Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a nutritious versatile ingredient in many food products. They are low in calories and have various potential medicinal properties as well. Surprisingly, little research on their descriptive sensory properties has been conducted. The objectives of this study were to a) establish a descriptive sensory flavor lexicon for the evaluation of fresh, dried, and powdered mushrooms and 2) use that lexicon to compare a selection of different mushrooms of various species and in fresh dried and powdered forms. A lexicon for describing mushroom was developed using a consensus profile method. A highly trained, descriptive sensory panel identified, defined, and referenced 27 flavor attributes for commercially available mushroom samples prepared as “meat” and broth. Attributes could be grouped in categories such as musty (dusty/papery, earthy/humus, earthy/damp, earthy/potato, fermented, leather (new), leather (old), mold/cheesy, moldy/damp, mushroomy), and other attributes such as fishy, shell fish, woody, nutty, brown, green, cardboard, burnt/ashy, potato, umami, protein (vegetable), yeasty, bitter, salty, sweet aromatics, sour, and astringent. Samples were then tested in three replications and mean values were compared statistically. In addition, principal component analysis was used to understand the characteristics of mushrooms evaluated. Dried mushrooms showed bitter, burnt, musty/dusty, astringent, old leather, and fresh mushroom characteristics and fresh mushroom showed umami, sweet, earthy/potato, earthy/damp, yeasty, and fermented. Mushrooms were grouped and differentiated in similar ways regardless of whether they were tested as broth or “meat”. Mushroom growers, product developers, chefs and other culinary professionals, sensory scientists, researchers, the food industry, and ultimately consumers will benefit from this lexicon describing a wide variety of mushroom flavor properties.

Structure and properties of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) lectin

Pleurotus ostreatus Lectin (POL) is a 353 amino acid chain lectin that can be purified from the fruiting bodies of the very well-known and widely diffused edible oyster mushrooms (P. ostreatus). The lectin has been partially characterized by different groups and, although it was crystallized about 20 years ago, its 3D structure and the details of its interactions with carbohydrates are still unknown. This paper reports the 3D structure and ligand-binding properties of POL. We have determined the X-ray structure of the apo-protein purified from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom and that of the recombinant protein in complex with melibiose to a resolution of about 2 Å. The lectin is a homodimer in which the two polypeptide chains are linked by a disulfide bridge. A POL monomer is composed of two highly homologous β-jellyroll domains each of which containing a calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding site. A high degree of sequence similarity is observed between the two carbohydrate-binding modules present in each monomer. The structure of the lectin in complex with melibiose reveals that a POL dimer has four calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding sites. The interaction with sugars in solution has been characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry and saturation transfer difference NMR and it sheds new light on the molecular determinants of POL specificity. The lectin exhibits in vitro antiproliferative effects against human cancer cell lines and presents structural similarity with the prototype member of the CBM67 family, the noncatalytic domain of Streptomyces avermitilis α-rhamnosidase.

Bioactive Sterol Derivatives Isolated from the Pleurotus djamor var. Roseus Induced Apoptosis in Cancer Cell Lines

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study is to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds from Pleurotus djamor against human breast cancer (MDA-MD-231) and mouse T cell lymphoma (EL4) cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sequential fractionization and column chromatography methods were involved in compound isolation. The structures of the isolated compound were determined by NMR, GC/MS, and X-ray crystallography studies.

RESULTS

The isolated compounds 1- 4 [D-mannitol (C1), ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3β-ol (C2), 5,8- epidioxy-ergosta-6-22-dien-3β-ol (C3), and palmitic acid (C4)] are white crystal and amorphous powder in nature. All these compounds were isolated from this mushroom for the first time. In vitro lipid peroxidation activities of isolated compounds were determined by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The sterol derivatives C2 and C3 compounds displayed strong antioxidant activity and were not significantly different (p<0.05) to α-tocopherol. This finding elaborates on the isolation of a cytotoxic compound C2 and C3 from P. djamor via a rapid elution method.

CONCLUSION

The compound C3 has exhibited better cytotoxic activity against MDA-MD-231 and EL4 cells. The present finding and data might provide new insights into the possible therapeutic and pharmaceutical use for the design of anti-cancer drugs from this edible mushroom.

Anticancer Activity of Solvent Extracts of Hexogonia glabra against Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

Objective:

In this study, we aimed to harness some solvent extracts of one wild mushroom Hexagonia glabra and test their anti-cancer activity against cervical human cell lines, namelyHeLa, SiHa, and CaSki.

Methods:

It includes cell morphological study by microscope, nuclear morphology by DAPI staining under fluorescence microscopy, apoptosis assay by fluorescence technique, anti-proliferation by MTT assay and expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes by Western blotting and cell cycle analysis was done.

Results:

The selected cervical cancer cells were treated separately with 150 µg/mL of three extracts, namely of ethanolic (EE), ethyl acetate (EAE), and water extract (WE) and exhibited features like round, shrink and dead. All extracts caused apoptosis in cell lines and EE had the highest effect in this regard. The percentages of apoptotic cells in HeLa, SiHa and CaSki, at the same concentration of EE were 79.23, 75.42, and 76.36% respectively. Cytotoxicity assay showed that all three extracts (50 – 250 μg/mL) were potent for inhibition of cell growth of three cell lines and again EE had the highest effect. The percentages of cell growth inhibition in HeLa, SiHa, and CaSki cells treated with EE at 24 h at 50 µg/mL were 45.79±4.11, 41.66±4.03, and 36.72±2.67, while they were 74.23±7.45, 62.31±5.97, and 54.23±5.04 at 150 µg/mL concentration. At 250 µg/mL concentration, the percentages of cell growth inhibition were 94.25 ±8.11, 90.02 ±8.67, and 85.43±6.21, respectively. The expression of apoptotic gene (Caspase 3, 9) and tumor guard gene (p53), as their proteins in Western blotting increased . However, anti-apoptotic BcL2 gene of all cell lines was decreased following treatment with extracts. In addition, the cell cycle analysis (CaSki cell) showed that treatment (EE) arrested at G2/M check point cell cycle.

Conclusion:

All extracts of this mushroom were active in arresting growth of three cell lines and EE had the highest effect, indicating that this mushroom can be a valuable source of anticancer agents.

A mushroom diet reduced the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and macrosomia: a randomized clinical trial

Background

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a disease characterized by high blood pressure detected after 20 weeks of pregnancy, affecting approximately 10% of pregnant women worldwide. Effective strategies are imperatively needed to prevent and treat PIH.

Methods

Subjects were required to consume 100 g mushroom daily from pre-pregnancy to the 20th week of gestation. The gestational hypertension and related primary and secondary outcomes of the mushroom diet (MD) group and placebo group were investigated to compare the intervention of a MD on the PIH and preeclampsia-associated maternal and child health conditions.

Results

A total of 582 and 580 subjects belonging to the MD group and placebo group were included for the analysis, respectively. Compared to the placebo, the MD significantly reduced the incidence of gestational hypertension (P = 0.023), preeclampsia (P = 0.014), gestational weight gain (P = 0.017), excessive gestational weight gain (P = 0.032) and gestational diabetes (P = 0.047). Stratified analysis showed that the MD lowered the risk of PIH for overweighed women (P = 0.036), along with the percentage of macrosomia (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

An MD could serve as a preventative strategy for lowering the risk of PIH and could control newborn birthweight while reducing comorbidities including gestational weight gain, diabetes etc.

The two faces of Coprinus comatus-Functional properties and potential hazards

Mushrooms have been used for centuries not only as food but also in traditional medicine as a source of components with pro‐health activity. One of them is Coprinus comatus (O.F.Müll.) Pers. also called shaggy mane, chicken drumstick mushroom, or lawyer's wig. In Asian countries, C. comatus (CC) is approved as edible mushroom and often cultivated for consumption, whereas in many other countries, although it is widespread, it is unrecognized and not used. In this review, for the first time, we discussed about the composition related to functional properties as well as the potential risks associated with consumption of CC by reviewing scientific literature. The information has been collected in order to get to know this species thoroughly. Various studies show many of the physiological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiandrogenic, hepatoprotective, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antibacterial, antifungal, antinematode, and antiviral. Besides positive physiological properties, CC has also negative features, for example, skin reactions in patients with dermatitis and atopic predisposition, risk of confusion with poisonous mushrooms, quick autolysis after collection, and contamination of toxic elements.

Pleurotus Mushrooms Content in Glucans and Ergosterol Assessed by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis

Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the infrared absorption spectra of 79 mushroom samples from 29 Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii and P. nebrodensis strains cultivated on wheat straw, grape marc and/or by-products of the olive industry. The spectroscopic analysis provided a chemical insight into the mushrooms examined, while qualitative and quantitative differences in regions related to proteins, phenolic compounds and polysaccharides were revealed among the species and substrates studied. Moreover, by using advanced chemometrics, correlations of the recorded mushrooms’ spectra versus their content in glucans and ergosterol, commonly determined through traditional analytical techniques, allowed the development of models predicting such contents with a good predictive power (R²: 0.80–0.84) and accuracy (low root mean square error, low relative error and representative to the predicted compounds spectral regions used for the calibrations). Findings indicate that FTIR spectroscopy could be exploited as a potential process analytical technology tool in the mushroom industry to characterize mushrooms and to assess their content in bioactive compounds.