A review on the nucleic acid constituents in mushrooms: nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides

Rapid prediction of nucleosides content and origin traceability of Boletus bainiugan using Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

Boletus bainiugan has high nutritional and economic values. As one of the potential medicinal active ingredients, nucleosides have important research significance. Porcini mushrooms fraud is frequently detected on the market, including substitute inferior into superior and lack of geographical origin's certification. This behavior results in economic loss and health damage to consumers. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy is a fast, efficient and reliable analytical tool. In the present study, the effect of source environment (climatic factors) on nucleoside content is analyzed for the first time. Then, the FT-NIR spectroscopy to study the origin traceability and content prediction of Boletus bainiugan are utilized. The results indicate that the nucleoside content is associated with precipitation and temperature. The combination of synchronous two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) with residual neural networks (ResNet) model obtains the precise identification of the origin of Boletus bainiugan, with an accuracy of 100%. In the prediction models of content for uridine, guanosine, and adenosine, the optimal coefficient of determination of predictive set (R2P) is 0.901, and the optimum residual prediction deviation (RPD) is 3.178. FT-NIR spectroscopy has proven to be an environmentally friendly and non-destructive analytical tool for accurate origin traceability and content prediction.

Comprehensive quality evaluation of dried boletus slices based on fingerprinting and chemometrics

Mushrooms not only serve as a source of a wide range of nutrients in the structure of the human diet, but they have also received a great deal of attention in the field of biopharmaceuticals because of their wide range of medicinal benefits. Rapid quality certification of boletus (porcini) mushrooms is particularly important as a health food and as a potential source of medicines before purchase and production. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is commonly used for rapid qualitative and quantitative analyses of foods and herbs. The Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) combined with systematic fingerprinting quantification was used to analyze the quality consistency of Boletus edulis (B. edulis) from different geographic sources, and a method based on Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for origin traceability and rapid prediction of nucleoside quality marker content of B. edulis dried slices was developed with the aim of achieving rapid, lossless, high-throughput and green quality authentication of raw materials for pharmaceutical products.

Metabolite Profiles and Biological Activities of Different Phenotypes of Beech Mushrooms (Hypsizygus marmoreus)

Beech mushrooms (Hypsizygus marmoreus) are edible mushrooms commercially used in South Korea. They can be classified into white and brown according to their pigmentation. This study analyzed the metabolites and biological activities of these mushrooms. Specifically, 42 metabolites (37 volatiles, two phenolics, and three carbohydrates) were quantified in white beech mushrooms, and 47 (42 volatiles, two phenolics, and three carbohydrates) were detected in brown mushrooms. The major volatiles detected were hexanal, pentanal, 1-hexanol, and 1-pentanol. Brown mushrooms contained higher levels of hexanal (64%) than white mushrooms (35%), whereas white mushrooms had higher levels of pentanal (11%) and 1-pentanol (3%). Most volatiles were more abundant in white mushrooms than in brown mushrooms. Furthermore, brown beech mushrooms had a higher phenolic content than white mushrooms. Biological assays revealed that both types of mushroom demonstrated anti-microbial activities against bacterial and yeast pathogens and weak DPPH scavenging activity. The extracts from both mushrooms (50 μg/mL) also exhibited strong anti-inflammatory properties. Brown mushroom extracts showed higher antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties than white mushroom extracts. This study reported that the differences in phenotype, taste, and odor were consistent with the metabolite differences between white and brown beech mushrooms, which have high nutritional and biofunctional values.

Metabolic profiles and biomarkers of Auricularia cornea based on de-oiled camphor leaf substrate

This study investigates the metabolic responses of Auricularia cornea when cultured on de-oiled leaves of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum (DeCL), an underutilized waste product. The metabolic profiles of A. cornea cultured with four different quality ratios of DeCL substrate (0 %, 14 %, 28 % and 42 %) were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics. A total of 516 metabolites were identified and classified into 78 categories, with phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids accounting for 26.7 % of the total. In addition, 32 metabolite biomarkers associated with eight major metabolic pathways were identified. This pioneering research provides valuable insights into the utilization of DeCL, and expands our knowledge of the metabolic dynamics underlying the growth of A. cornea on alternative substrates.

Bioactive compounds from Cordyceps and their therapeutic potential

The Clavicipitaceae family's largest and most diverse genus is Cordyceps. They are most abundant and diverse in humid temperate and tropical forests and have a wide distribution in: Europe, North America, and East and Southeast Asian countries, particularly: Bhutan, China, Japan, Nepal, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Tibet, and the Himalayan region of India, and Sikkim. It is a well-known parasitic fungus that feeds on insects and other arthropods belonging to 10 different orders. Over 200 bioactive metabolites, that include: nucleotides and nucleosides, polysaccharides, proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, sterols, and fatty acids, among others have been extracted from Cordyceps spp. demonstrating the phytochemical richness of this genus. These components have been associated with a variety of pharmacological effects, including: anti-microbial, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. In this paper, the bioactivity of various classes of metabolites produced by Cordyceps spp., and their therapeutic properties have been reviewed in an attempt to update the existing literature. Furthermore, one of its nucleoside and a key bioactive compound, cordycepin has been critically elaborated with regard to its biosynthesis pathway and the recently proposed protector-protégé mechanism as well as various biological and pharmacological effects, such as: suppression of purine and nucleic acid biosynthesis, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation with their mechanism of action. This review provides current knowledge on the bioactive potential of Cordyceps spp.

Effect of drying methods on aroma, taste and antioxidant activity of Dendrobium officinale flower tea: A sensomic and metabolomic study

Dendrobium officinale flower tea (DFT) is a traditional health product of geographical identity known for its unique aroma and taste. The effects of different drying methods on sensory properties, metabolic profiles and antioxidant activity of DFT were compared using sensomics and metabolomics approaches. Twenty-seven aroma-active compounds were identified and more than half of the volatiles responsible for the "green" and "floral" scent lost after drying. Sensory evaluations revealed that vacuum freeze-dried DFT showed a significant preference in taste and fifty-eight metabolites with higher levels of glutamine were observed, possibly contributing to a "fresh" taste and increased preference. Among the three drying methods, natural air drying retained the fresh flower scent better, while freeze drying preserved the color and shape of the flowers better and enhanced the taste and antioxidant activity of DFT. The research results may provide a foundation for the selection of DFT processing method and quality detection.

Chemical and Biological Characterization of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction from the Red Sea Marine Sponge Hymedesmia sp

Hymedesmiidae is one of the largest families of marine sponges and stands out as an exceptional source of variable metabolites with diverse biological activities. In this study, the ethyl acetate fraction (HE) of a Hymedesmia sp. marine sponge from the Red Sea, Egypt, was analyzed for the first time using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis. The analysis tentatively identified 29 compounds in this fraction, including the isolation and identification of six compounds (two pyrimidine nucleosides, one purine, and two pyrimidine bases in addition to one cerebroside) for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), MS (mass spectrometry), and IR (infrared) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate fraction were evaluated in vitro. The fraction exhibited strong DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 of 78.7 µg/mL, compared to ascorbic acid as a positive control with an IC50 of 10.6 µg/mL. It also demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 13.5 µg/mL and 25.3 µg/mL against HCT-116 and HEP-2 cell lines, respectively, compared to vinblastine as a positive control with IC50 values of 2.34 µg/mL and 6.61 µg/mL against HCT-116 and HEP-2, respectively. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction displayed promising antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a MIC value of 62.5 µg/mL, compared to ciprofloxacin as a positive control with MIC values of 1.56 µg/mL for Gram-positive bacteria and 3.125 µg/mL for Gram-negative bacteria. It also exhibited activity against E. coli and P. aeruginosa with MIC values of 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Briefly, this is the first report on the biological activities and secondary metabolite content of the ethyl acetate fraction of Hymedesmia sp. marine sponge, emphasizing the potential for further research against resistant bacterial and fungal strains, as well as different cancer cell lines. The ethyl acetate fraction of Hymedesmia sp. is a promising source of safe and unique natural drugs with potential therapeutic and pharmaceutical benefits.

Retention behavior of nucleosides and nucleobases on a 3 μm undecylenic acid-functionalized silica column in per aqueous liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography separation modes

A 3 μm undecylenic acid-functionalized stationary phase (UAS) was prepared for the separation of nucleosides and nucleobases using per aqueous liquid chromatography (PALC) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). The retention behaviors of nucleosides and nucleobases in PALC and HILIC modes were explored by adjusting parameters such as water content, buffer concentration, pH of the mobile phase and column temperature. The experimental data and separation chromatogram demonstrated that PALC could provide retention comparable to that of HILIC for nucleosides and nucleobases. Comparative studies using diluted adenosine solutions evaluated theoretical plates and peak shape for the same retention factors (between 0.25 and 5.0) in PALC and HILIC. There was no buffer component in the mobile phases used to operate the comparisons. HILIC mode is more efficient for adenosine than PALC mode at low retention factors. It's the exact opposite phenomenon for high retention factors. It is proposed that the mass transfer of adenosine between the UAS, the water-rich layer and the ACN-rich mobile phase in HILIC is relatively slow. Given the significant use of toxic ACN in HILIC, PALC emerges as a safer and more effective alternative for separating nucleosides and nucleobases.

Elimination of Acrolein by Disodium 5'-Guanylate or Disodium 5'-Inosinate at High Temperature and Its Application in Roasted Pork Patty

Acrolein (ACR) is a highly active, simple unsaturated aldehyde found in various high-temperature processed foods. Its long-term accumulation in the human body increases the risk of chronic diseases. Animal and plant foodstuffs are rich in disodium 5'-guanylate (GMP) and disodium 5'-inosinate (IMP), which are authorized flavor enhancers. Herein, we used liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to explore the reaction-active kinetics and pathway of the interaction between GMP/IMP and ACR and validated it in roasted pork patties. Our results suggested that GMP and IMP could efficiently eliminate ACR by forming ACR adducts (GMP-ACR, IMP-ACR). In addition, IMP exhibited a higher reaction rate, whereas GMP had a good trapping capacity at a later stage. As carriers of GMP and IMP, dried mushrooms and shrimp exhibited an effective ACR-trapping ability in the ACR model and roasted pork patty individually and in combination. Adding 10% of dried mushroom or shrimp alone or 5% of dried mushroom and shrimp in combination eliminated up to 53.9%, 55.8%, and 55.2% ACR in a roasted pork patty, respectively. This study proposed a novel strategy to eliminate the generation of ACR in roasted pork patties by adding foodstuffs rich in GMP and IMP.

Natural Bio-Compounds from Ganoderma lucidum and Their Beneficial Biological Actions for Anticancer Application: A Review

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has been known for many centuries in Asian countries under different names, varying depending on the country. The objective of this review is to investigate the scientific research on the natural active bio-compounds in extracts obtained from G. lucidum with significant biological actions in the treatment of cancer. This review presents the classes of bio-compounds existing in G. lucidum that have been reported over time in the main databases and have shown important biological actions in the treatment of cancer. The results highlight the fact that G. lucidum possesses important bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, sterols, proteins, nucleotides, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which have been demonstrated to exhibit multiple anticancer effects, namely immunomodulatory, anti-proliferative, cytotoxic, and antioxidant action. The potential health benefits of G. lucidum are systematized based on biological actions. The findings present evidence regarding the lack of certainty about the effects of G. lucidum bio-compounds in treating different forms of cancer, which may be due to the use of different types of Ganoderma formulations, differences in the study populations, or due to drug-disease interactions. In the future, larger clinical trials are needed to clarify the potential benefits of pharmaceutical preparations of G. lucidum, standardized by the known active components in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

In vitro cholesterol lowering activity of Ganoderma australe mycelia based on mass spectrometry, synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared analysis and liver-spheroid bioactivity

Mycelia were cultivated from a Thai wild mushroom identified as Ganoderma australe based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and morphological analyses. The mycelial extracts were examined for their active ingredients using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) method. This revealed the presence of lovastatin and tentative compounds including p-coumaric, nicotinamide, gamma-aminobutyric acid, choline, nucleosides, amino acids, and saccharides. The extracts had an inhibitory effect on the activity of HMG-CoA reductase in a concentration-dependent manner. At 2.5 mg/mL, the G. australe extracts did not interfere with the viability of HepG2 spheroids, but their biochemical composition was altered as determined by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The lipid profile of the spheroids treated with the mycelial extract was distinct from that of the control and the 5 µM lovastatin treatment, corresponding with the production of cholesterol by the spheroids. The mycelia of G. australe increased the percentage of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) production to 71.35 ± 2.74%, compared to the control and lovastatin-treated spheroids (33.26 ± 3.15% and 32.13 ± 3.24%, respectively). This study revealed the superior effect of natural compound mixtures to pure lovastatin, and the potential use of Thailand's wild G. australe as a functional food to prevent or alleviate hypercholesterolemia.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Effects of Grafting on Nutritional Properties in Eggplant

Grafting has a significant impact on the botany properties, commercial character, disease resistance, and productivity of eggplants. However, the mechanism of phenotypic modulation on grafted eggplants is rarely reported. In this study, a widely cultivated eggplant (Solanum. melongena cv. 'Zheqie No.10') was selected as the scion and grafted, respectively, onto four rootstocks of TOR (S. torvum), Sa (S. aculeatissimum), SS (S. sisymbriifolium), and Sm64R (S. melongena cv. 'Qiezhen No. 64R') for phenotypic screening. Physiological and biochemical analysis showed the rootstock Sm64R could improve the fruit quality with the increasing of fruit size, yield, and the contents of total soluble solid, phenolic acid, total amino acid, total sugar, and vitamin C. To further investigate the improvement of fruit quality on Sm64R, a transcriptome and a metabolome between the Sm64R-grafted eggplant and self-grafted eggplant were performed. Significant differences in metabolites, such as phenolic acids, lipids, nucleotides and derivatives, alkaloids, terpenoids, and amino acids, were observed. Differential metabolites and differentially expressed genes were found to be abundant in three core pathways of nutritional qualities, including biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, phospholipids, and nucleotide metabolism. Thus, this study may provide a novel insight into the effects of grafting on the fruit quality in eggplant.

Multiple Metabolites Derived from Mushrooms and Their Beneficial Effect on Alzheimer's Diseases

Mushrooms with edible and medicinal potential have received widespread attention because of their diverse biological functions, nutritional value, and delicious taste, which are closely related to their rich active components. To date, many bioactive substances have been identified and purified from mushrooms, including proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, and vitamins. More importantly, molecules derived from mushrooms show great potential to alleviate the pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which seriously affects the health of elderly people. Compared with current therapeutic strategies aimed at symptomatic improvement, it is particularly important to identify natural products from resource-rich mushrooms that can modify the progression of AD. This review summarizes recent investigations of multiple constituents (carbohydrates, peptides, phenols, etc.) isolated from mushrooms to combat AD. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanisms of mushroom metabolites against AD are discussed. The various mechanisms involved in the antiAD activities of mushroom metabolites include antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects, apoptosis inhibition, and stimulation of neurite outgrowth, etc. This information will facilitate the application of mushroom-derived products in the treatment of AD. However, isolation of new metabolites from multiple types of mushrooms and further in vivo exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying their antiAD effect are still required.

Design fabrication of electrochemical sensor based on Ru(bpy)22+/SMWCNTs/Au/GCE electrode for the selective determination of 5′-guanosine monophosphate

5'-Guanosine monophosphate (5'-GMP) is one main source of freshness in broths. Herein, an electrochemical platform based on a novel ternary nanocomposite glassy carbon electrode modified with advantageously-united gold nanoparticles, 2,2'-bipyridine hydrated ruthenium (Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂) and sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SMWCNTs)was prepared and used to detect 5'-GMP. After conditions optimization, the best performance of the electrochemical sensor was found in acidic media, including high specificity, sensitivity and selectivity. The electrochemical sensor exhibited a wide linear range under the optimal conditions. The enhanced sensitivity of this sensor was attributed to the Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂ and functionalized SMWCNTs that provided high electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic properties during electrochemical reaction. Precise analysis of 5'-GMP in actual broth samples showed satisfactory recovery. Thus, the sensor can be used in the market and food enterprises.

Mushrooms as future generation healthy foods

The potential of edible mushrooms as an unexploited treasure trove, although rarely included in known food guidelines, is highlighted. Their role in shielding people against the side effects of an unhealthy stylish diet is reviewed. Mushrooms complement the human diet with various bioactive molecules not identified or deficient in foodstuffs of plant and animal sources, being considered a functional food for the prevention of several human diseases. Mushrooms have been widely used as medicinal products for more than 2,000 years, but globally the potential field of use of wild mushrooms has been untapped. There is a broad range of edible mushrooms which remain poorly identified or even unreported which is a valuable pool as sources of bioactive compounds for biopharma utilization and new dietary supplements. Some unique elements of mushrooms and their role in preventative healthcare are emphasized, through their positive impact on the immune system. The potential of mushrooms as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, and other health concerns is discussed. Mushrooms incorporate top sources of non-digestible oligosaccharides, and ergothioneine, which humans are unable to synthesize, the later a unique antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory element, with therapeutic potential, approved by world food agencies. The prebiotic activity of mushrooms beneficially affects gut homeostasis performance and the balance of gut microbiota is enhanced. Several recent studies on neurological impact and contribution to the growth of nerve and brain cells are mentioned. Indeed, mushrooms as functional foods' nutraceuticals are presently regarded as next-generation foods, supporting health and wellness, and are promising prophylactic or therapeutic agents.

Fungal Mushrooms: A Natural Compound With Therapeutic Applications

Fungi are extremely diverse in terms of morphology, ecology, metabolism, and phylogeny. Approximately, 130 medicinal activities like antitumor, immunomodulation, antioxidant, radical scavenging, cardioprotective and antiviral actions are assumed to be produced by the various varieties of medicinal mushrooms. The polysaccharides, present in mushrooms like β-glucans, micronutrients, antioxidants like glycoproteins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and ergosterols can help establish natural resistance against infections and toxins.. Clinical trials have been performed on mushrooms like Agaricus blazei Murrill Kyowa for their anticancer effect, A. blazei Murrill for its antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects, and some other mushrooms had also been evaluated for their neurological effects. The human evaluation dose studies had been also performed and the toxicity dose was evaluated from the literature for number of mushrooms. All the mushrooms were found to be safe at a dose of 2000 mg/kg but some with mild side effects. The safety and therapeutic effectiveness of the fungal mushrooms had shifted the interest of biotechnologists toward fungal nanobiotechnology as the drug delivery system due to the vast advantages of nanotechnology systems. In complement to the vital nutritional significance of medicinal mushrooms, numerous species have been identified as sources of bioactive chemicals. Moreover, there are unanswered queries regarding its safety, efficacy, critical issues that affect the future mushroom medicine development, that could jeopardize its usage in the twenty-first century.

Analytical characterization of nucleotides and their concentration variation in drinking water treatment process

Nucleotides, as the basic building blocks of nucleic acids, widely exist in aqueous environment. In this study, we developed a solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-UPLC-MS/MS) method for the analysis of 5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP), 5'-uridine monophosphate (UMP), 5'-cytidine monophosphate (CMP) and 5'-guanosine monophosphate (GMP). The method achieved limits of detection (LODs) of 0.1-1.0 ng/L, and recoveries of 85-95% for the four tested nucleotides. The occurrence and concentrations of the four nucleotides in water from eight representative drinking water treatment and distribution systems in China were determined using this method. All four nucleotides were detectable in water treatment plant (WTP) influent and effluent, at concentrations of up to 30 ng/L and with occurrence frequency of around 90%. The concentrations of identified nucleotides increased 3-10 times after 10 km of water age in the water distribution system. Biological filters and coagulation increased the concentrations of nucleotides, conversely, active carbon, ozonation, and ultrafiltration membrane removed nucleotides in water. The effects of active carbon and coagulation were further confirmed using laboratory-controlled experiment. In addition, monochlorinated nucleotides were identified as the chlorination products of nucleotides.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Morphology Regulatory Mechanisms of Microparticles to Paraisaria dubia in Submerged Fermentation

Liquid submerged fermentation is an effective strategy to achieve large-scale production of active ingredients by macrofungi, and controlling mycelium morphology is a key factor restricting the development of this technology. Mining for superior morphological regulatory factors and elucidation of their regulatory mechanisms are vital for the further development of macrofungal fermentation technology. In this study, microparticles were used to control the morphology of Paraisaria dubia (P. dubia) in submerged fermentation, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms were revealed by transcriptomic. The relative frequency of S-type pellet diameter increased significantly from 7.14 to 88.31%, and biomass increased 1.54 times when 15 g/L talc was added. Transcriptome analysis showed that the morphological regulation of filamentous fungi was a complex biological process, which involved signal transduction, mycelium polar growth, cell wall synthesis and cell division, etc. It also showed a positive impact on the basic and secondary metabolism of P. dubia. We provided a theoretical basis for controlling the mycelium morphology of P. dubia in submerged fermentation, which will promote the development of macrofungal fermentation technology.

The Effect of Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim) on the Taste Perception of Stewed Sheep Tail Fat by LC-QTOF-MS/MS and a Chemometrics Analysis

This work aims to explore the contribution of prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim) on the taste perception of stewed sheep tail fat. Liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) was applied to analyze the taste-related compounds. A total of 99 compounds in different sheep tail fat samples were identified. The semi-quantitative results showed that there were differences between the samples. The partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model without overfitting was used to investigate the effect of prickly ash. Eleven marker compounds were predicted with a variable importance for projection > 1, fold change > 2 and p < 0.05. An additional experiment showed that guanosine 5'-monophosphate, malic acid, inosine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate could improve the umami and saltiness taste of stewed sheep tail fat.

Research advances in bioactive components and health benefits of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), a highly nutritious and functional fruit, is reported to have various health benefits and has been extensively planted worldwide, especially in China. Many studies have shown that bioactive components derived from jujube fruit have significant nutritional and potential biological effects. In this paper, the latest progress in research on major bioactive compounds obtained from jujube is reviewed, and the potential biological functions of jujube fruit resources are discussed. As a dietary supplement, jujube fruit is well recognized as a healthy food which contains a variety of bioactive substances, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, dietary fiber, alkaloids, and other nutrients. These nutrients and non-nutritive phytochemicals obtained from jujube fruit have physiological functions including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hyperglycemic, immunoregulatory, neuroprotective, sedative, and antiviral functions. Of note is that new constituents, including alkaloids, dietary fiber, and other bioactive substances, as well as the antiviral, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, and neuroprotective effects of jujube fruit, are systematically reviewed here for the first time. Meanwhile, problems affecting the exploitation of jujube fruit resources are discussed and further research directions proposed. Therefore, this review provides a useful bibliography for the future development of jujube-based products and the utilization of jujube nutritional components in functional foods.

Mushroom Nutrition as Preventative Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa

The defining characteristics of the traditional Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) cuisine have been the richness in indigenous foods and ingredients, herbs and spices, fermented foods and beverages, and healthy and whole ingredients used. It is crucial to safeguard the recognized benefits of mainstream traditional foods and ingredients, which gradually eroded in the last decades. Notwithstanding poverty, chronic hunger, malnutrition, and undernourishment in the region, traditional eating habits have been related to positive health outcomes and sustainability. The research prevailed dealing with food availability and access rather than the health, nutrition, and diet quality dimensions of food security based on what people consume per country and on the missing data related to nutrient composition of indigenous foods. As countries become more economically developed, they shift to “modern” occidental foods rich in saturated fats, salt, sugar, fizzy beverages, and sweeteners. As a result, there are increased incidences of previously unreported ailments due to an unbalanced diet. Protein-rich foods in dietary guidelines enhance only those of animal or plant sources, while rich protein sources such as mushrooms have been absent in these charts, even in developed countries. This article considers the valorization of traditional African foodstuffs and ingredients, enhancing the importance of establishing food-based dietary guidelines per country. The crux of this review highlights the potential of mushrooms, namely some underutilized in the SSA, which is the continent’s little exploited gold mine as one of the greatest untapped resources for feeding and providing income for Africa’s growing population, which could play a role in shielding Sub-Saharan Africans against the side effects of an unhealthy stylish diet.

Mycomedicine: A Unique Class of Natural Products with Potent Anti-tumour Bioactivities

Mycomedicine is a unique class of natural medicine that has been widely used in Asian countries for thousands of years. Modern mycomedicine consists of fruiting bodies, spores, or other tissues of medicinal fungi, as well as bioactive components extracted from them, including polysaccharides and, triterpenoids, etc. Since the discovery of the famous fungal extract, penicillin, by Alexander Fleming in the late 19th century, researchers have realised the significant antibiotic and other medicinal values of fungal extracts. As medicinal fungi and fungal metabolites can induce apoptosis or autophagy, enhance the immune response, and reduce metastatic potential, several types of mushrooms, such as Ganoderma lucidum and Grifola frondosa, have been extensively investigated, and anti-cancer drugs have been developed from their extracts. Although some studies have highlighted the anti-cancer properties of a single, specific mushroom, only limited reviews have summarised diverse medicinal fungi as mycomedicine. In this review, we not only list the structures and functions of pharmaceutically active components isolated from mycomedicine, but also summarise the mechanisms underlying the potent bioactivities of several representative mushrooms in the Kingdom Fungi against various types of tumour.

One-Pot Derivatization for Wide-Scope Detection of Nucleobases and Deoxyribosides in Natural Medicinal Foods with Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A new chemical labeling-based LC-MS/MS approach was developed for quantitative profiling of nine canonical bases and deoxynucleosides (dNs) in natural products. Using 2-bromo-1-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-ethaone (BrDPE) as the tagging reagent, a previously unexploited N-alkylpyrimidine derivative (Nad) was created for one-pot labeling of widescope nucleobases via a flexible bromophilic substitution under mild conditions. The derivatization notably improved the LC-MS detection sensitivity by 31-107 fold, enabling a fast dilute-and-shoot analysis of highly diluted samples. The optimized and validated method demonstrated satisfactory accuracy (87-107%), precision (RSDs < 7.5%), and recovery (89-105%) for matrix-matched standard addition. The method was applied to simultaneously determine all target analytes and four uncanonical analogues and base-modified species in seven traditional health foods, which differ in contents by up to 600-fold for discrimination among samples. Further, the base-labeled Nads exhibit a unique fragmentation signature that could be used for untargeted screening of nucleobase-containing metabolites by simplified LC-MS/MS workflow to improve quality evaluation of natural medicinal products.

Fluorescence Detection of Deoxyadenosine in Cordyceps spp. by Indicator Displacement Assay

A rapid, sensitive and reliable indicator displacement assay (IDA) for specific detection of 2′- and 3′-deoxyadenosine (2′-dAde and 3′-dAde), the latter is also known as cordycepin, was established. The formation of inclusion complex between protonated acridine orange (AOH⁺) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) resulted in the hypochromic shift of fluorescent emission from 530 nm to 512 nm. Addition of cordycepin to the highly fluorescent AOH⁺/CB7 complex resulted in a unique tripartite AOH⁺/CB7/dAde complex with diminished fluorescence, and such reduction in emission intensity serves as the basis for our novel sensing system. The detection limits were 11 and 82 μM for 2′- and 3′-deoxyadenosine, respectively. The proposed method also demonstrated high selectivity toward 2′- and 3′-deoxyadenosine, owing to the inability of other deoxynucleosides, nucleosides and nucleotides commonly found in Cordyceps spp. to displace the AOH⁺ from the AOH⁺/CB7 complex, which was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), UV-Visible and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy. Our method was successfully implemented in the analysis of cordycepin in commercially available Ophiocordyceps and Cordyceps supplements, providing a novel and effective tool for quality assessment of these precious fungi with several health benefits.

Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Unravel the Metabolic Pathway Variations for Different Sized Beech Mushrooms

Beech mushrooms (Hypsizygus marmoreus) are largely relished for their characteristic earthy flavor, chewy-texture, and gustatory and nutritional properties in East Asian societies. Intriguingly, the aforementioned properties of beech mushroom can be subsumed under its elusive metabolome and subtle transcriptome regulating its various stages of growth and development. Herein, we carried out an integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling for different sized beech mushrooms across spatial components (cap and stipe) to delineate their signature pathways. We observed that metabolite profiles and differentially expressed gene (DEGs) displayed marked synergy for specific signature pathways according to mushroom sizes. Notably, the amino acid, nucleotide, and terpenoid metabolism-related metabolites and genes were more abundant in small-sized mushrooms. On the other hand, the relative levels of carbohydrates and TCA intermediate metabolites as well as corresponding genes were linearly increased with mushroom size. However, the composition of flavor-related metabolites was varying in different sized beech mushrooms. Our study explores the signature pathways associated with growth, development, nutritional, functional and organoleptic properties of different sized beech mushrooms.

Neutral Lipid Content in Lipid Droplets: Potential Biomarker of Cordycepin Accumulation in Cordycepin-Producing Fungi

To clarify the relationship between neutral lipid content and cordycepin accumulation in Cordyceps militaris, mutants were generated from mixed spores of two C. militaris strains with varying cordycepin-producing capacities. Fifteen stable mutants producing from 0.001 to 2.363 mg/mL cordycepin were finally selected. The relative fluorescence intensities of the 15 mutants, two C. militaris strains and an Aspergillus nidulans strain at different concentrations of lyophilized mycelium powder were then investigated using the Nile red method. The mutant CM1-1-1 with the highest relative fluorescence intensity among the eighteen strains was selected for optimizing the Nile red method. Relative fluorescence intensity was linearly correlated with cordycepin concentration in liquid broth (R² = 0.9514) and in lyophilized mycelium powder (R² = 0.9378) for the 18 cordycepin-producing strains under identical culture conditions and with cordycepin concentration in liquid broth (R² = 0.9727) and in lyophilized mycelium powder (R² = 0.9613) for CM1-1-1 under eight different sets of conditions. In addition, the cordycepin content in lyophilized mycelium powder measured by the Nile red method was linearly correlated with that determined by an HPLC method (R² = 0.9627). In conclusion, neutral lipids in lipid droplets are required during cordycepin accumulation; these neutral lipids are potential biomarkers of cordycepin biosynthesis.

High-throughput screening of the nucleosides and nucleotides using characteristic structural fragments fusion

Cordyceps sinensis is a traditional Chinese food. A high-throughput screening and quantitative method based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled to quadrupole/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry has been proposed for the joint measurement of nucleosides and their corresponding nucleotides in thirty-two Cordyceps sinensis samples. A total of thirty-two natural samples from six regions were enrolled. A multiple-step analysis strategy, including features extraction, noise level evaluation, mass shift correction and suspect spectral library spectra searching, was employed to discover, identify and validate the nucleosides and nucleotides. The remaining unknown compounds were identified with the characteristic structural fragments. The on-line dispersive solid-phase extraction system eliminates human-based steps errors and affords superior method reproducibility in the presence of hexafluoro-2-propanol and diethylamine as hydrophilic ion-pairing reagents. In view of the great difference of the quality, this high coverage confirmation strategy is of great reference value to the future quantitative analysis of potential nucleosides and nucleotides. Nucleosides and nucleotides ingredients could be considered as origins and quality assessment index of C. sinensis.

Therapeutic Potential and Biological Applications of Cordycepin and Metabolic Mechanisms in Cordycepin-Producing Fungi

Cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine), a cytotoxic nucleoside analogue found in Cordyceps militaris, has attracted much attention due to its therapeutic potential and biological value. Cordycepin interacts with multiple medicinal targets associated with cancer, tumor, inflammation, oxidant, polyadenylation of mRNA, etc. The investigation of the medicinal drug actions supports the discovery of novel targets and the development of new drugs to enhance the therapeutic potency and reduce toxicity. Cordycepin may be of great value owing to its medicinal potential as an external drug, such as in cosmeceutical, traumatic, antalgic and muscle strain applications. In addition, the biological application of cordycepin, for example, as a ligand, has been used to uncover molecular structures. Notably, studies that investigated the metabolic mechanisms of cordycepin-producing fungi have yielded significant information related to the biosynthesis of high levels of cordycepin. Here, we summarized the medicinal targets, biological applications, cytotoxicity, delivery carriers, stability, and pros/cons of cordycepin in clinical applications, as well as described the metabolic mechanisms of cordycepin in cordycepin-producing fungi. We posit that new approaches, including single-cell analysis, have the potential to enhance medicinal potency and unravel all facets of metabolic mechanisms of cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris.