The Possibility of Using Sulphur Shelf Fungus (Laetiporus sulphureus) in the Food Industry and in Medicine-A Review

Biofortification of Mushrooms: A Promising Approach

Mushrooms exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and are widely used for medical purposes and in nutrition. Numerous bioactive metabolites are responsible for these activities. Their distribution and biological effects differ depending on the fungal species and their chemical composition. Biofortification is a sustainable process that aims to improve the nutritional profile of food crops, as most of them are low in key nutrients. This review aims to delve into the process of fungal biofortification and review the most commonly used elements and species. Through biofortification, it is possible to combat hidden hunger, which affects as many as 2 billion people worldwide. "Hidden hunger" is a phenomenon in which the organism lacks the minerals and vitamins needed for development, growth, and good overall health. Mushrooms are increasingly being considered for biofortification due to their ability to accumulate various elements (both micro- and macroelements).

Molecular decoding a meat-like aroma generated from Laetiporus sulphureus-mediated fermentation of onion (Allium cepa L.)

The organoleptic properties of plant-based meat alternatives do not meet consumer expectations due to the lack of characteristic flavors resembling meat. To address this challenge, a fermentation system utilizing Laetiporussulphureus was developed to generate a meat-like and fatty flavor from a vegetable source, onion. By means of multiple stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry, an unsaturated aldehyde, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal, which imparts a tallow-like and fatty odor, and a sulfurous compound benzothiazole, with a broth-like odor were identified, which well contributed to the characteristic odor of the supernatant. (E,Z)-2,4-Decadienal as the most important odorant (odor activity value = 206) was biosynthesized by transformation of linoleic acid with L.sulphureus, as revealed by isotopic tracing experiments. For the first time in Basidiomycota, the biogenetic pathway of (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal from linoleic acid was proposed.

Effect of co-cultivation of white and brown rot species on basidiome production, lignocelluloytic enzyme activity and dye decolourisation

The aim of this work was studying the impact of co-cultivating two mushroom species: a white (Pleurotus albidus CLA 45) and a brown rot one (Laetiporus sulphureus BAFC 205) in substrates based on poplar or pine sawdust, on their lignocellulolytic enzyme production, yield values and basidiomes properties. Laetiporus sulphureus only developed basidiome primordia, but P. albidus monoculture and co-culture in pine sawdust achieved biological efficiencies of up to 50-55 %. Co-cultivation on diverse substrates rendered varied enzyme titers. Laccase and Manganese peroxidase titers were highest in pine co-culture and P. albidus poplar monoculture, respectively. Enzymatic extracts obtained from spent poplar substrate of dual cultures displayed potential for treating non-sterile textile-coloured effluents, achieving 35 % decolourisation after 120 h. The knowledge available on the effects of co-culture of white and brown rot fungi is still limited. This study represents an initial exploration of the interaction between them within intensive cultivation conditions.

Macrofungi as Medicinal Resources in Uzbekistan: Biodiversity, Ethnomycology, and Ethnomedicinal Practices

Interest in edible and medicinal macrofungi is millennial in terms of their uses in health and food products in Central Asia, while interest in inedible and medicinal macrofungi has grown in popularity in recent years. Edible and inedible medicinal basidiomycetes were collected during field surveys from different regions of Uzbekistan. The morphological characters and similarity assessment of rDNA-Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence data were used to measure diversity and habitat associations. A number of 17 species of medicinal macrofungi of ethnomycological and medicinal interest was found associated with 23 species of trees and shrubs belonging to 11 families and 14 genera. Polyporaceae and Hymenochaetaceae were represented by the highest number of species followed by Ganodermataceae, Fomitopsidaceae, Auriculariaceae, Cerrenaceae, Grifolaceae, Phanerochaetaceae, Laetiporaceae, Schizophyllaceae, and Stereaceae. The highest number of medicinal basidiomycete species was reported in the following host genera: Acer, Betula, Celtis, Crataegus, Juglans, Juniperus, Lonicera, Malus, Morus, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, and Salix. An updated list of edible and inedible medicinal mushrooms identified in Uzbekistan, their morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic placement are given for the first time. Information is provided on their uses in traditional and modern medicine. Their bioactive compounds and extracts can be applied as medicines, as well as food and cosmetic ingredients.