Comparison of Ergosterol and Vitamin D2 in Mushrooms Agaricus bisporus and Cordyceps militaris Using Ultraviolet Irradiation Directly on Dry Powder or in Ethanol Suspension

Triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mediated evaluation of vitamin D2 accumulation potential, antioxidant capacities, and total polyphenol content of white jelly mushroom (Tremella fuciformis Berk.)

Tremella fuciformis Berk. (TF), or the white jelly mushroom, is well known for its myriad of pharmacological properties, such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, and antioxidant activities, and hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects that boost human health. Most of the studies of TF are concentrated on its polysaccharide (glucuronoxylomannan) composition, which is responsible for its pharmacological as well as rheological properties. It is well established that mushrooms are a great source of dietary vitamin D due to the presence of ergosterol in their cell membrane. There is a lack of published data on TF as a source of vitamin D2. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D2 composition of the fruiting bodies of TF using triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/QQQ). The results showed highest vitamin D2 content (292.02 µg/g dry weight) in the sample irradiated with ultraviolet B (UVB; 310 nm) for 180 min as compared with the control group (52.47 µg/g dry weight) (P ≤ 0.001). The results showed higher accumulation potential of vitamin D2 in TF as compared with published data available for other extensively studied culinary mushrooms, such as Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus, Cordiceps militaris, and Calocybe indica. Moreover, the impact of UV treatment on antioxidant capacities and total polyphenol content of TF was also studied. The accumulation potential of vitamin D in TF reveals a novel commercial source for this nutrient.

Analysis of Volatile Aroma Components in Different Parts of Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinus edodes) Treated with Ultraviolet C Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectroscopy

Further assessment of ultraviolet C light-emitting diode (UVC-LED) irradiation for influencing shiitake mushrooms' (Lentinus edodes) volatile and sensory properties is needed. In this study, a comparison of UVC-LED irradiation treatment on the flavor profiles in various parts of shiitake mushrooms was conducted using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and sensory analysis. Sixty-three volatile compounds were identified in shiitake mushrooms. The fresh shiitake mushrooms were characterized by the highest values of raw mushroom odors. After UVC-LED treatment, the content of C8 alcohols decreased, especially that of 1-octen-3-ol, while the content of aldehydes increased, especially the content of nonanal and decanal. The score of fatty and green odors was enhanced. For fresh samples, the mushroom odors decreased and the mushroom-like odors weakened more sharply when treated in ethanol suspension than when treated with direct irradiation. The fruit odors were enhanced using direct UVC-LED irradiation for fresh mushroom samples and the onion flavor decreased. As for shiitake mushroom powder in ethanol suspension treated with UVC-LED, the sweaty and almond odor scores decreased and the vitamin D2 content in mushroom caps and stems reached 668.79 μg/g (dw) and 399.45 μg/g (dw), respectively. The results obtained from this study demonstrate that UVC-LED treatment produced rich-flavored, quality mushroom products.

An insight into the nutritional and medicinal value of edible mushrooms: A natural treasury for human health

Edible mushrooms have been cherished worldwide because of their nutraceutical and medicinal properties. They are recognized as the new superfood for the future due to their low-calorie content, high-protein content, low lipid levels, low cholesterol levels, and abundance of essential vitamins. The fruiting body of edible mushrooms contains a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites. However, submerged cultivation is a more reliable and controlled way of production of mycelium biomass and many bioactive compounds. Several bioactive metabolites present in mushrooms possess a range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-COVID-19 activities. Consumers have turned more intrigued in mushroom-containing products as the world needs to diversify its protein sources to meet the growing demand for protein. In this context, mushrooms are viewed as a promising source of bioactive chemicals that can be employed as an alternative to meat products. This review aims to summarise the most recent data regarding the beneficial health effects and the development of mushroom-based food products.

Vitamin D from UV-Irradiated Mushrooms as a Way for Vitamin D Supplementation: A Systematic Review on Classic and Nonclassic Effects in Human and Animal Models

Recent literature has shown that vitamin D, in addition to its well-known activity on the skeleton, has many positive effects on health. Unfortunately, it is not easy to meet intake needs solely with food. Mushrooms could provide a valid way to achieve this goal, because they are one of the few sources of vitamin D. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize what has been reported in the literature on the treatment of animal and human models with irradiated commercial mushrooms, with particular attention paid to the effects on clinical outcomes associated with the classical and nonclassical vitamin D functions. A total of 18 articles were selected. Six studies were conducted on human samples, while twelve were focused on animal models. The six studies conducted in humans involved a large number of subjects (663), but the treatment period was relatively short (1–6 months). Furthermore, the treatment dosage was different in the various groups (600–3800 IU/day). Probably for this reason, the studies did not demonstrate clinical efficacy on the parameters evaluated (cognitive functions, muscle system/function, metabolic syndrome). Indeed, those studies demonstrated an efficacy in increasing the blood levels of 25(OH)D2, but not in increasing the levels of 25(OH)D total. In 9 of 12 studies conducted on the animal model, however, a clinical efficacy on bone metabolism, inflammation, and cognitive performance was demonstrated. The results of this systematic review indicate that the intake of vitamin D from irradiated mushrooms could possibly help to meet vitamin D needs, but the dosage and the time of treatment tested need to be evaluated. Therefore, studies conducted in humans for longer periods than the studies carried out up to now are necessary, with defined dosages, in order to also evaluate the clinical efficacy demonstrated in animal models both for the classical (bone metabolism) and nonclassical (muscle function, cognitive performance, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities) effects of vitamin D.

Immunostimulatory Activity of Cordyceps militaris Fermented with Pediococcus pentosaceus SC11 Isolated from a Salted Small Octopus in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunocompromised Mice and Its Inhibitory Activity against SARS-CoV 3CL Protease

In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing and anti-viral effects of germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis (GRC) fermented with Pediococcus pentosaceus SC11 (GRC-SC11) isolated from a salted small octopus. The cordycepin, β-glucan, and total flavonoid contents increased in GRC after SC11 fermentation. GRC-SC11 inhibits 3CL protease activity in severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). GRC-SC11 significantly increased thymus and spleen indices in immunocompromised mice. The rate of splenocyte proliferation was higher in GRC-SC11-treated immunocompromised mice than that in GRC-treated immunocompromised mice in the presence or absence of concanavalin A. In addition, GRC-SC11 increased the phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in immunocompromised mice. The mRNA expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interferon-alpha (IFN-α), and interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) was up-regulated in GRC-SC11 treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, compared to GRC. Our study indicates that GRC-SC11 might be a potential therapeutic agent for immunocompromised patients who are vulnerable to SARS-CoV infection.

Fermentation of Agaricus bisporus for antioxidant activity: response surface optimization, chemical components, and mechanism

Agaricus bisporus is one of the most widely cultivated edible mushrooms in the world. The chemical components of A. bisporus have a wide range of biological activities. In order to deeply understand the antioxidant properties of A. bisporus, this study conducted an investigation on the components of A. bisporus fermentation. Through the single factor experiment and response surface optimization, it was found that when the C/N ratio was 45:1, the inoculum concentration was 10%, and the fermentation time was 7 d, the n-butanol extract of the fermentation product had the strongest scavenging capacity for free radical generated through 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS·⁺). The concentration for 50% of the maximal effect (EC₅₀) was 0.33 ± 0.01 mg/mL. Moreover, in order to identify the two main components, the elution-extrusion counter-current chromatography (EECCC) was employed for separation, where 5,5'-oxy-dimethyl-bis(2-furfuraldehyde) and 5-(butoxymethyl) furfural were obtained. The antioxidant activity of 5,5'-oxy-dimethyl-bis(2-furfuraldehyde) (EC₅₀ = 0.26 ± 0.01 mg/mL) was superior to that of 5-butylmethyl furfural (EC₅₀ = 1.52 ± 0.02 mg/mL), indicating that 5,5'-oxy-dimethyl-bis(2-furfuraldehyde) was the main antioxidant in the fermentation products. The thermodynamic parameters and frontier molecular orbitals of 5,5'-oxy-dimethyl-bis (2-furanaldehyde) was evaluated by density functional theory (DFT). The result indicated 5,5'-oxy-dimethyl-bis(2-furanaldehyde) scavenged free radicals in polar media through single electron transfer followed by proton transfer (SET-PT).