Chemical composition, nutritional profile and in vivo antioxidant properties of the cultivated mushroom Coprinus comatus

Unearthing the therapeutic benefits of culinary-medicinal mushrooms for humans: Emerging sustainable bioresources of 21st century

Global interest in mushroom farming techniques has grown in the last few years. Despite not making up a large amount of the human diet at the moment, the nutritional worth of mushrooms has prompted their usage. The three main segments of the global mushroom industry are wild, culinary (edible), and medicinal mushrooms. The quality food that mushrooms provide can be utilized to build agricultural ecosystems that are more sustainable for increasing productivity and enhancing the effectiveness of resource usage. This is mostly because mushrooms can be utilized for the recycling of biomass and remains from crop production. Culinary-medicinal mushrooms are becoming more and more important because of their nutrient density, dietary value, and health advantages. Given its many bioactive components, which include polysaccharides, proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and secondary metabolites, mushrooms have been utilized extensively as health foods. These mushrooms exhibit pharmacological activities and possess prebiotic and antibacterial capabilities. This review provides information on the latest advancements in the sustainable cultivation of mushrooms, particularly with nontraditional substrates, and their potential therapeutic uses. Furthermore, some of the newest developments and difficulties in the production of mushrooms are explored.

Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres. and Ganoderma resinaceum Boud. as Potential Therapeutic Agents: A Comparative Study on Antiproliferative and Lipid-Lowering Properties

Medicinal mushrooms, especially Ganoderma species, hold immense promise for the production of a wide range of bioactive compounds with various effects. The biochemical potential of indigenous fungal strains, specific to a region, could play a critical role in the continuous search for novel strains with superior activities on a global scale. This research focused on the ethanolic (EtOH) and hot-water (H2O) extracts of fruiting bodies of two wild-growing Ganoderma species: G. pfeifferi and G. resinaceum, with the aim of assessing their nutritional (total carbohydrate content-TCC) and mineral composition in relation to bioactive properties: antioxidant, antiproliferative and lipid-lowering. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) revealed that G. pfeifferi is a promising source of minerals that are essential for numerous physiological functions in the human body like bone health and muscle and nerve function, with Ca (4.55 ± 0.41 mg/g d.w.) and Mg (1.33 ± 0.09 mg/g d.w.) being the most abundant macroelement present. Zn, Mn, and Cr were particularly notable, with concentrations ranging from 21.49 to 41.70 mg/kg d.w. The EtOH extract of G. pfeifferi demonstrated significantly elevated levels of TCC, essential macromolecules for energy and structural functions in the body, with higher quantities of all three standard carbohydrates detected in this type of extract. Similar to the revealed composition, the same species, G. pfeifferi, stood out as the most prominent antioxidant agent, with the H2O extract being stronger than EtOH in the ABTS assay (86.85 ± 0.67 mg TE/g d.w.), while the EtOH extract displayed the highest anti-OH• scavenging ability (IC50 = 0.18 ± 0.05 μg/mL) as well as the most notable reducing potential among all. The highest antiproliferative effect against the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), were demonstrated by the H2O extracts from G. resinaceum with the most pronounced activity after 24 h (IC50 = 4.88 ± 0.50 μg/mL), which surpasses that of the standard compound, ellagic acid (IC50 = 33.94 ± 3.69 μg/mL). Administration of both Ganoderma extracts mitigated diabetic lipid disturbances and exhibited potential renal and hepatic protection in vivo on white Wistar rats by the preservation of kidney function parameters in G. resinaceum H2O pre-treatment (urea: 6.27 ± 0.64 mmol/L, creatinine: 50.00 ± 6.45 mmol/L) and the reduction in ALT levels (17.83 ± 3.25 U/L) compared to diabetic control groups treated with saline (urea: 46.98 ± 6.01 mmol/L, creatinine: 289.25 ± 73.87 mmol/L, and ALT: 60.17 ± 9.64 U/L). These results suggest that pre-treatment with G. resinaceum H2O extracts may have potential antidiabetic properties. In summary, detected microelements are vital for maintaining overall health, supporting metabolic processes, and protecting against various chronic diseases. Further research and dietary assessments could help determine the full potential and applications of the two underexplored Ganoderma species native to Serbia in nutrition and health supplements.

Suppression of anthracnose disease by orsellinaldehyde isolated from the mushroom Coprinus comatus

AIMS

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is one of the most devastating diseases of fruits and crops. We isolated and identified an antifungal compound from the mushroom Coprinus comatus and investigated its inhibitory potential against anthracnose disease-causing fungi with the goal of discovering natural products that can suppress anthracnose-caused plant disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The culture filtrate of C. comatus was subjected to a bioassay-guided isolation of antifungal compounds. The active compound was identified as orsellinaldehyde (2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde) based on mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Orsellinaldehyde displayed broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against different plant pathogenic fungi. Among the tested Colletotrichum species, it exhibited the lowest IC50 values on conidial germination and germ tube elongation of Colletotrichum orbiculare. The compound also showed remarkable inhibitory activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes. The staining of Colletotrichum conidia with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide demonstrated that the compound is fungicidal. The postharvest in-vivo detached fruit assay indicated that orsellinaldehyde suppressed anthracnose lesion symptoms on mango and cucumber fruits caused by C. gloeosporioides and C. orbiculare, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Orsellinaldehyde was identified as a potent antifungal compound from the culture filtrate of C. comatus. The inhibitory and fungicidal activities of orsellinaldehyde against different Colletotrichum species indicate its potential as a fungicide for protecting various fruits against anthracnose disease-causing fungi.

Purification and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Fibrinolytic Enzyme from Culture Supernatant of Coprinus comatus

A novel fibrinolytic enzyme was produced by the liquid fermentation of Coprinus comatus. The enzyme was purified from the culture supernatant by hydrophobic interactions, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatographies. It was purified by 241.02-fold, with a specific activity of 3619 U/mg and a final yield of 10.02%. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the purity of the enzyme, showing a single band with a molecular weight of 19.5 kDa. The first nine amino acids of the N-terminal of the purified enzyme were A-T-Y-T-G-G-S-Q-T. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity at a temperature of 42 °C and pH 7.6. Its activity was significantly improved by Zn2+, K+, Ca2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+ while being inhibited by Fe2+, Fe3+, Al2+, and Ba2+. The activity of the enzyme was completely inhibited by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and it was also dose-dependently inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and soy trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). However, inhibitors such as N-α-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), aprotinin, and pepstatin did not significantly affect its activity, suggesting that the enzyme was a serine-like metalloproteinase. The enzyme acted as both a plasmin-like fibrinolytic enzyme and a plasminogen activator, and it also exhibited the capability to hydrolyze fibrinogen and fibrin. In vitro, it demonstrated the ability to dissolve blood clots and exhibit anticoagulant properties. Furthermore, it was found that the enzyme prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT), and reduced the levels of fibrinogen (FIB) and prothrombin activity (PA). Based on these studies, the enzyme has great potential to be developed as a natural agent for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of some Syrian wild mushroom (Agaricus spp) strains

This research aims to study the chemical content (moisture, ash, fat, protein, fiber and carbohydrate), phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of the fruit bodies resulting from the cultivation of six edible Syrian wild mushroom strains of the Agaricus genus. These strains were collected from the western countryside of Homs governorate in Syria (Agaricus bispours BR5, Agaricus bispours B.R.9, Agaricus sinodeliciosus BR17, Agaricus qilianensis BR22, Agaricus sinodeliciosus BR42 and Agaricus qilianensis BR47) and were compared to the commercially cultivated Agaricus bisporus strain Sylvan A15 as a control. The results showed that wild strains had a good chemical composition. The BR47 had the highest protein content among the studied strains (29.52%), which was close to the content of the control (28.55%). All strains recorded higher carbohydrate content compared to the control (p < 0.01), and BR42 had the highest content (72.24%). The fat content in the studied strains ranged from 1.68 to 5.34%, and they were all less than the control (7.29%). BR9 was marked by a high phenol content (1.93 mg.g-1 of dry weight), while the control had higher antioxidant activity (82.41%). A strong correlation was noted between antioxidant activity, protein, fat and ash. Some studied strains showed nutritional value and distinctive biological properties, indicating they can be used for food and pharmaceutical purposes.

Development of a Functional Acceptable Diabetic and Plant-Based Snack Bar Using Mushroom (Coprinus comatus) Powder

Consumers' growing concern about health and well-being has led to increased interest in functional foods. This research aims to evaluate the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of a functional plant-based (PB) snack bar enriched with Coprinus comatus powder. The snack bar formulations exhibited a wide range of flavor and textural characteristics. Two PB snack bars and four commercial bars were evaluated by a consumer panel of healthy volunteers (n = 20). The PB snack bar scored 'like extremely' on the 9-point hedonic scale. External preference mapping determined that sweetness, flavors, cohesiveness, gumminess, and adhesion had the greatest influence on consumer acceptability. Water content, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, reducing sugar, resistant starch, and dietary fiber were measured. Nutritional content was enhanced (omega 3, fiber and protein), and samples were shelf life stable (aw < 0.29; moisture content < 10%). In addition, the PB snack bar underwent simulated digestion according to the INFOGEST protocol, and from the comparative evaluation, the PB snack can be seen to control the post-prandial glycemic responses, as observed by the different degree of reducing sugars released via the matrix. The PB snack bar can be further functionally enhanced by the addition of their unique ingredients such as Coprinus comatus. Coprinus comatus powder is claimed to benefit glycemic control in diabetes and has attracted growing interest in terms of its potential use in natural products with possible health benefits.

Comprehensive Analysis of Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Properties of Morus nigra L

The framework of this study was a comprehensive investigation of Morus nigra L. extracts, with the aim to establish the correlation between chemical composition and antioxidant/hepatoprotective activity of a series of black mulberry extracts obtained from aerial parts of the plant. Black mulberry leaf (MLEE), bark (MBEE), juice (MJ) and fresh fruit (MFEE) extracts were obtained using the conventional Soxhlet extraction, while the supercritical CO₂ extraction procedure was employed for preparation of the seed oil (MSO). Analysis of the chemical composition was performed using spectrophotometric, HPLC and GC methods. For the evaluation of antioxidant activity, in vitro FRAP and DPPH assays were applied. In Haan strain NMRI mice with streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress, in vivo antioxidant activity and liver tissue integrity were examined. The content of polyphenolic compounds was the highest in MBEE (68.3 ± 0.7 mgGAE/g) with the most abundant compounds being polyphenolic acids, followed by MLEE (23.4 ± 0.5 mgGAE/g) with the flavonoids isoquercetin and rutin being present in a significant amount. An analysis of MSO revealed a high content of γ-linoleic acid. The highest antioxidant activity in vitro (FRAP and DPPH) was observed for MLEE, MBEE and MSO. Beneficial effects were confirmed in vivo, with lower values of hepatosomatic index, potentiation of the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, a lower rate of lipid peroxidation and reduced positivity for the P450 enzyme in animals treated with MLEE, MBEE and MSO. Black mulberry leaf and bark extracts as well as seed oil exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Apart from the confirmed biological properties of the fruit and leaf extracts, the observed activities of black mulberry seed oil and bark extract imply its importance as a sustainable source of phytochemicals.

Study on Phenolic and Organic Acid Compositions and Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Agaricomycetes Mushroom Species from Turkey

Mushrooms stand out as one of nature's best gifts among the natural product sources with their diversity, therapeutic values and increasing popularity. In this study, antioxidant (ABTS·+ scavenging, β-carotene-bleaching, cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), DPPH· scavenging, and metal chelating assays), and enzyme (buty-rylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibition activities of the extracts obtained from Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers., Cerrena unicolor (Bull.) Murrill, Inocutis rheades (Pers.) Fiasson & Niemela and Leptoporus mollis (Pers.) Quél. mushroom species were investigated. The presence of phenolic and organic acid compounds associated with the bioactive properties of the mushroom species was determined by HPLC-DAD. Fumaric acid was found to be prominent compound in C. comatus (43.90 µg/g dw) and C. unicolor (659.9 µg/g dw), vanillin in L. mollis (19.48 µg/g dw), and p-coumaric acid in I. rheades (21.32 µg/g dw). L. mollis methanol extract, as well as higher antioxidant activity than the standards in CUPRAC and β-carotene-bleaching assays, was noted as superior antioxidant active in all assays (except metal chelating). C. comatus possessed the highest inhibition activity on α-amylase (IC50: 0.23 mg/mL for methanol extract), AChE (IC50: 125.50 µg/mL for hexane extract), and BChE (IC50: 61.03 µg/mL for methanol extract). Also, C. comatus methanol (IC50: 0.09 mg/mL) and L. mollis hexane (IC50 : 0.11 mg/ mL) extracts were better α-glucosidase inhibition active than the acarbose (IC50: 0.37 mg/mL). Our study ascertained that the studied mushroom species are particularly sources of biochemically active compounds with therapeutic potential.

Scrutinizing the Nutritional Aspects of Asian Mushrooms, Its Commercialization and Scope for Value-Added Products

Mushrooms are the gifts of the non-green revolution; they are not limited by land demand or specific growth requirements. Nearly 14,000 species of mushrooms are on record thus far; of these, only 2200 species are deemed edible. Only 650 species from this list have been cultivated and consumed. Farmed on waste, mushrooms are rich reservoirs of proteins, polysaccharides, metabolites, minerals and vitamins. In the following review, various edible mushrooms have been listed and their nutritional aspects and their associated contributions have been discussed. Furthermore, the commercial mushroom-based products that are on the market have been surveyed. The challenges facing the use of mushroom and mushroom products as foods, functional foods and nutraceuticals have been presented. The need to seek options to troubleshoot the current limitations has also been discussed.

Mushrooms as Potential Sources of Active Metabolites and Medicines

Background

Mushrooms exist as an integral and vital component of the ecosystem and are very precious fungi. Mushrooms have been traditionally used in herbal medicines for many centuries.

Scope and Approach

There are a variety of medicinal mushrooms mentioned in the current work such as Agaricus, Amanita, Calocybe, Cantharellus, Cordyceps, Coprinus, Cortinarius, Ganoderma, Grifola, Huitlacoche, Hydnum, Lentinus, Morchella, Pleurotus, Rigidoporus, Tremella, Trametes sp., etc., which play a vital role in various diseases because of several metabolic components and nutritional values. Medicinal mushrooms can be identified morphologically on the basis of their size, color (white, black, yellow, brown, cream, pink and purple-brown, etc.), chemical reactions, consistency of the stalk and cap, mode of attachment of the gills to the stalk, and spore color and mass, and further identified at a molecular level by Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions of gene sequencing. There are also other methods that have recently begun to be used for the identification of mushrooms such as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), microscopy, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), DNA sequencing, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), chemical finger printing, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LCMS-TOF) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Lately, the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique is also used for the identification of fungi.

Key Finding and Conclusion

Medicinal mushrooms possess various biological activities like anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, anti-HIV, anti-diabetic, and many others that will be mentioned in this article. This manuscript will provide future direction, action mechanisms, applications, and the recent collective information of medicinal mushrooms. In addition to many unknown metabolites and patented active metabolites are also included.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Carob Pulp Flour (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Extract Obtained by Optimized Microwave-Assisted Extraction

To examine antioxidant capacity and the hepatoprotective effect of carob pulp flour, microwave-assisted extraction was performed. The influence of ethanol concentration (0–40% w/w), extraction time (5–25 min) and irradiation power (400–800 W) on DPPH, FRAP and ABTS antioxidant activity of carob pulp flour extract was evaluated. The strongest influence was that of the ethanol concentration, followed by extraction time. Optimal process parameters for maximizing total antioxidant activity were determined, using response surface methodology: ethanol concentration 40%, time 25 min and power 800 W. Carob extract obtained at optimal conditions (CE) was analyzed in vivo using a paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity model in mice. Treatment with CE attenuated the parameters of liver injury, especially aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activity, and prevented paracetamol-induced increase in malondialdehyde levels. Pretreatment with CE reversed the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes after the high dose of paracetamol in the liver. Hepatotoxicity induced using a toxic dose of paracetamol was also seen through histopathological alterations, which were significantly reduced in the groups treated with CE prior to paracetamol. Still, the number of Kupffer cells and macrophages did not differ among groups. Finally, pretreatment of mice with CE and paracetamol significantly decreased the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in hepatocytes.

Narrative Review: Bioactive Potential of Various Mushrooms as the Treasure of Versatile Therapeutic Natural Product

Mushrooms have remained an eternal part of traditional cuisines due to their beneficial health potential and have long been recognized as a folk medicine for their broad spectrum of nutraceuticals, as well as therapeutic and prophylactic uses. Nowadays, they have been extensively investigated to explain the chemical nature and mechanisms of action of their biomedicine and nutraceuticals capacity. Mushrooms belong to the astounding dominion of Fungi and are known as a macrofungus. Significant health benefits of mushrooms, including antiviral, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antifungal, wound healing, anticancer, immunomodulating, antioxidant, radical scavenging, detoxification, hepatoprotective cardiovascular, anti-hypercholesterolemia, and anti-diabetic effects, etc., have been reported around the globe and have attracted significant interests of its further exploration in commercial sectors. They can function as functional foods, help in the treatment and therapeutic interventions of sub-optimal health states, and prevent some consequences of life-threatening diseases. Mushrooms mainly contained low and high molecular weight polysaccharides, fatty acids, lectins, and glucans responsible for their therapeutic action. Due to the large varieties of mushrooms present, it becomes challenging to identify chemical components present in them and their beneficial action. This article highlights such therapeutic activities with their active ingredients for mushrooms.