Fungi and Algae as Sources of Medicinal and Other Biologically Active Compounds: A Review

Exploring the Phytochemical Compositions, Antioxidant Activity, and Nutritional Potentials of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a valuable source of food and medicine that have been used for centuries in various cultures. They contain a variety of phytochemicals, such as terpenoids and polysaccharides, that exhibit diverse biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antidiabetic effects. However, mushroom's phytochemical composition and bioactivity vary depending on their species, cultivation conditions, processing methods, and extraction techniques. Therefore, using reliable analytical methods and standardized protocols is important for systematically evaluating the quality and quantity of mushroom phytochemicals and their therapeutic potential. This review provides a bibliometric analysis of the recent literature on biological activities, highlights trends in the field, and highlights the countries and journals with the highest contribution. It also discusses the nutritional value of the total content of phenolic and other phytochemicals in some species of mushrooms.

Alsayegh A, Ahmad FA, Akhtar MS, Alavudeen SS, Bantun F, Wahab S, Ahmed A, Ali M, Elbendary EY, Raposo A, Kambal N, H. Abdelrahman M. Ganoderma lucidum: Insight into antimicrobial and antioxidant properties with development of secondary metabolites

Ganoderma lucidum is a versatile mushroom. Polysaccharides and triterpenoids are the major bioactive compounds and have been used as traditional medicinal mushrooms since ancient times. They are currently used as nutraceuticals and functional foods. G. lucidum extracts and their bioactive compounds have been used as an alternative to antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Secondary metabolites with many medicinal properties make it a possible substitute that could be applied as immunomodulatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic. The miraculous properties of secondary metabolites fascinate researchers for their development and production. Recent studies have paid close attention to the different physical, genetic, biochemical, and nutritional parameters that potentiate the production of secondary metabolites. This review is an effort to collect biologically active constituents from G. lucidum that reveal potential actions against diseases with the latest improvement in a novel technique to get maximum production of secondary metabolites. Studies are going ahead to determine the efficacy of numerous compounds and assess the valuable properties achieved by G. lucidum in favor of antimicrobial and antioxidant outcomes.

Targeting Metabolic Diseases: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

The escalating prevalence of metabolic and cardiometabolic disorders, often characterized by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, poses significant health challenges globally. As the traditional therapeutic approaches may sometimes fall short in managing these health conditions, attention is growing toward nutraceuticals worldwide; with compounds being obtained from natural sources with potential therapeutic beneficial effects being shown to potentially support and, in some cases, replace pharmacological treatments, especially for individuals who do not qualify for conventional pharmacological treatments. This review delves into the burgeoning field of nutraceutical-based pharmacological modulation as a promising strategy for attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in metabolic and cardiometabolic disorders. Drawing from an extensive body of research, the review showcases various nutraceutical agents, such as polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, which exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. All these can be classified as novel nutraceutical-based drugs that are capable of regulating pathways to mitigate oxidative-stress- and inflammation-associated metabolic diseases. By exploring the mechanisms through which nutraceuticals interact with oxidative stress pathways and immune responses, this review highlights their potential to restore redox balance and temper chronic inflammation. Additionally, the challenges and prospects of nutraceutical-based interventions are discussed, encompassing bioavailability enhancement, personalized treatment approaches, and clinical translation. Through a comprehensive analysis of the latest scientific reports, this article underscores the potential of nutraceutical-based pharmacological treatment modulation as a novel avenue to fight oxidative stress and inflammation in the complex landscape of metabolic disorders, particularly accentuating their impact on cardiovascular health.

Fungi-derived natural antioxidants

In humans, exogenous antioxidants aid the endogenous antioxidant system to detoxify excess ROS generated during oxidative stress, thereby protecting the body against various diseases and stressful conditions. The majority of natural antioxidants available on the consumer market are plant-based; however, fungi are being recognized as alternative sources of various natural antioxidants such as polysaccharides, pigments, peptides, sterols, phenolics, alkaloids, and flavonoids. In addition, some exogenous antioxidants are exclusively found in fungi. Fungi-derived antioxidants exhibit scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide radicals in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo models, application of fungal-derived antioxidants increase the level of various antioxidant enzymes, such as catalases, superoxide dismutases, and glutathione peroxidases, and reduce the level of malondialdehyde. Therefore, fungi-derived antioxidants have potential to be used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. This review summarizes the antioxidant potential of different fungi (mushrooms, yeasts, and molds)-derived natural compounds such as polysaccharides, pigments, peptides, ergothioneine, ergosterol, phenolics, alkaloids, etc.

Quantitative Raman chemical imaging of intracellular drug-membrane aggregates and small molecule drug precipitates in cytoplasmic organelles

Raman confocal microscopes have been used to visualize the distribution of small molecule drugs within different subcellular compartments. This visualization allows the discovery, characterization, and detailed analysis of the molecular transport phenomena underpinning the Volume of Distribution - a key parameter governing the systemic pharmacokinetics of small molecule drugs. In the specific case of lipophilic small molecules with large Volumes of Distribution, chemical imaging studies using Raman confocal microscopes have revealed how weakly basic, poorly soluble drug molecules can accumulate inside cells by forming stable, supramolecular complexes in association with cytoplasmic membranes or by precipitating out within organelles. To study the self-assembly and function of the resulting intracellular drug inclusions, Raman chemical imaging methods have been developed to measure and map the mass, concentration, and ionization state of drug molecules at a microscopic, subcellular level. Beyond the field of drug delivery, Raman chemical imaging techniques relevant to the study of microscopic drug precipitates and drug-lipid complexes which form inside cells are also being developed by researchers with seemingly unrelated scientific interests. Highlighting advances in data acquisition, calibration methods, and computational data management and analysis tools, this review will cover a decade of technological developments that enable the conversion of spectral signals obtained from Raman confocal microscopes into new discoveries and information about previously unknown, concentrative drug transport pathways driven by soluble-to-insoluble phase transitions occurring within the cytoplasmic organelles of eukaryotic cells.

Probiotics and Immunostimulant modulate intestinal flora diversity in Reeves pond tortoise (Mauremys reevesii) and effects of Clostridium butyricum on its spleen transcriptome

In this study, we investigated the effects of Clostridium butyricum (group A), Bacillus subtilis (group B), and the immune enhancer algal β-1,3 glucan (group C) on the intestinal flora of Mauremys reevesii and the effects of C. butyricum on the transcriptome of M. reevesii splenic immune tissues. M. reevesii were assigened to four groups, each containing three replicates from 18 samples. Juvenile turtles with an initial weight of 106.35 ± 0.03 g were fed a basic diet containing no probiotics (control group D), or a basic diet containing the A, B, or C supplement. After the turtles had been fed for 60, 90, and 120 d of the experimental period, high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed no significant difference in alpha diversity among the four groups at 60 days of feeding (P > 0.05), and at 90 days, the alpha diversity in group A was significantly different (P < 0.05), with an increase of 26.62% in the Shannon index and a decrease of 83.33% in the Simpson index; at 120 d, the alpha diversity (Shannon index)showed a decreasing trend in order for groups A, B, and C, At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria in group A increased significantly with increasing feeding time (P < 0.05)，At the genus level, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Anaerotruncus in group A increased significantly compared with that in the other three groups (P < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis showed that 384 genes were differentially expressed in the spleen of M. reevesii, 195 genes were upregulated and 189 genes were downregulated, and C. butyricum TF201120 regulated the hematopoietic cell lineage signaling pathway in the spleen of M. reevesii (P < 0.05). The regulation of several identified immune-related genes was confirmed by qPCR, These results showed that C. butyricum, B. subtilis and the immune enhancer algal β-1,3 glucan can improve the intestinal flora of M. reevesii, with C. butyricum TF20 being the most effective and significantly enhancing the immunity of M. reevesii.

Medicinal Mushroom Extracts from Hericium coralloides and Trametes versicolor Exert Differential Immunomodulatory Effects on Immune Cells from Older Adults In Vitro

Medicinal mushroom extracts (MMEs) exert immunomodulatory effects on innate immunity. The present study aimed to examine the effect of medicinal mushroom components on in vitro immune cell responses to inflammatory stimuli by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from older adults, where immune function is altered. PBMCs were treated with extracts from Hericium coralloides (HC) and Trametes versicolor (TV) prior to stimulation with rhinovirus A1 (RVA1), influenza A/H1N1pdm09 (H1N1), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or house dust mite (HDM) for 48 h. In the presence of virus, type I and II IFN significantly (p < 0.05) decreased following treatment with at least one concentration of all extracts compared to the untreated cell controls, along with significant increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8). In the presence of LPS, extracts from TV reduced IL-1β compared to untreated cells. In the presence of HDM, the concentration of IL-5 and/or IL-13 was significantly decreased with at least one dose of all extracts. MMEs exert differential effects on the release of inflammatory and antiviral mediators in vitro. Reduced type 2 cytokine responses to HDM may be beneficial in conditions where allergic inflammation is present, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema. Further research is needed to examine extracts in vivo.

A review of biowaste remediation and valorization for environmental sustainability: Artificial intelligence approach

Biowaste remediation and valorization for environmental sustainability focuses on prevention rather than cleanup of waste generation by applying the fundamental recovery concept through biowaste-to-bioenergy conversion systems - an appropriate approach in a circular bioeconomy. Biomass waste (biowaste) is discarded organic materials made of biomass (e.g., agriculture waste and algal residue). Biowaste is widely studied as one of the potential feedstocks in the biowaste valorization process due to its being abundantly available. In terms of practical implementations, feedstock variability from biowaste, conversion costs and supply chain stability prevent the widespread usage of bioenergy products. Biowaste remediation and valorization have used artificial intelligence (AI), a newly developed idea, to overcome these difficulties. This report analyzed 118 works that applied various AI algorithms to biowaste remediation and valorization-related research published between 2007 and 2022. Four common AI types are utilized in biowaste remediation and valorization: neural networks, Bayesian networks, decision tree, and multivariate regression. The neural network is the most frequent AI for prediction models, the Bayesian network is utilized for probabilistic graphical models, and the decision tree is trusted for providing tools to assist decision-making. Meanwhile, multivariate regression is employed to identify the relationship between experimental variables. AI is a remarkably effective tool in predicting data, which is reportedly better than the conventional approach owing to its characteristics of time-saving and high accuracy. The challenge and future work in biowaste remediation and valorization are briefly discussed to maximize the model's performance.

Chemical and Nutritional Profiling of the Seaweed Dictyota dichotoma and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Hypoglycemic Potentials

Seaweed has been known to possess beneficial effects forhuman health due to the presence of functional bioactive components. The n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Dictyota dichotoma showed ash (31.78%), crude fat (18.93%), crude protein (14.5%), and carbohydrate (12.35%) contents. About 19 compounds were identified in the n-butanol extract, primarily undecane, cetylic acid, hexadecenoic acid, Z-11-, lageracetal, dodecane, and tridecane, whereas 25 compounds were identified in the ethyl acetate extract, mainly tetradecanoic, hexadecenoic acid, Z-11-, undecane, and myristic acid. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of carboxylic acid, phenols, aromatics, ethers, amides, sulfonates, and ketones. Moreover, total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) in ethyl acetate extract were 2.56 and 2.51 mg GAE/g and in n-butanol extract were 2.11 and 2.25 mg QE/g, respectively. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts at a high concentration of 100 mg mL-1 showed 66.64 and 56.56 % inhibition of DPPH, respectively. Antimicrobial activity revealed that Candida albicans was the most susceptible microorganism, followed by Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the least inhibition at all concentrations. The in vivo hypoglycemic study revealed that both extracts exhibited concentration-dependent hypoglycemic activities. In conclusion, this macroalgae exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hypoglycemic potentials.

Antioxidant Compounds from Edible Mushrooms as Potential Candidates for Treating Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

The last century has seen an increase in our life expectancy. As a result, various age-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), have emerged, representing new challenges to society. Oxidative stress (OS), a condition of redox imbalance resulting from excessive production of reactive oxygen species, represents a common feature that characterizes the brains of elderly people, thus contributing to NDs. Consequently, antioxidant supplementation or dietary intake of antioxidant-containing foods could represent an effective preventive and therapeutic intervention to maintain the integrity and survival of neurons and to counteract the neurodegenerative pathologies associated with aging. Food contains numerous bioactive molecules with beneficial actions for human health. To this purpose, a wide range of edible mushrooms have been reported to produce different antioxidant compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, polysaccharides, vitamins, carotenoids, ergothioneine, and others, which might be used for dietary supplementation to enhance antioxidant defenses and, consequently, the prevention of age-related neurological diseases. In this review, we summarized the role of oxidative stress in age-related NDs, focusing on the current knowledge of the antioxidant compounds present in edible mushrooms, and highlighting their potential to preserve healthy aging by counteracting age-associated NDs.

Recent advances in the discovery, biosynthesis, and therapeutic potential of isocoumarins derived from fungi: a comprehensive update

Microorganisms still remain the main hotspots in the global drug discovery avenue. In particular, fungi are highly prolific producers of vast structurally diverse specialized secondary metabolites, which have displayed a myriad of biomedical potentials. Intriguingly, isocoumarins is one distinctive class of fungal natural products polyketides, which demonstrated numerous remarkable biological and pharmacological activities. This review article provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art over the period 2000-2022 about the discovery, isolation, classifications, and therapeutic potentials of isocoumarins exclusively reported from fungi. Indeed, a comprehensive list of 351 structurally diverse isocoumarins were documented and classified according to their fungal sources [16 order/28 family/55 genera] where they have been originally discovered along with their reported pharmacological activities wherever applicable. Also, recent insights around their proposed and experimentally proven biosynthetic pathways are also briefly discussed.

Systematic review of fungi, their diversity and role in ecosystem services from the Far Eastern Himalayan Landscape (FHL)

Fungi are morphologically and ecologically diverse kingdom but less explored in the global perspective. This systematic review of mainly higher fungi (mushrooms) and lichenized fungi (lichens) was aimed to convey comprehensive knowledge on these understudied taxa, especially considering diversity, research trends, taxonomic/geographic knowledge gaps, and their contribution to ecosystem services. We investigated literature from the Far Eastern Himalayas and adjacent areas. We followed the PRISM (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework for the evidence synthesis and reporting. Search strings were used to explore literature both in English and Chinese databases. Publications were validated examining the title, locality, abstract and full text. We included 75 eligible studies after screening 12,872 publications. The result on species diversity extrapolated from literature was consolidated as a species checklist and published on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) portal. This review demonstrates a significant shortage of research work on fungi, and a lack of quantitative data on diversity, ecology, and ecosystem services. Mycological inventories with multidisciplinary perspectives are urgent in the Landscape to better understand the importance of fungi in conservation and sustainable development science. This review is especially useful when global environmental and climate concerns are focused on the use of nature-based solutions, and fungi as integral part of all ecological processes, could play important role in enhancing ecosystem services and therefore benefits coming to people as natural solutions.

Integracides: Tetracyclic Triterpenoids from Fusarium sp.-Their 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitory Potential and Structure-Activity Relation Using In Vitro and Molecular Docking Studies

Inflammation is a complicated disorder that is produced as a result of consecutive processes. 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) is accountable for various inflammation mediators and leukotrienes synthesis, and its inhibition is the target of anti-inflammation therapeutics. Fungi have acquired enormous attentiveness because of their capability to biosynthesize novel bio-metabolites that reveal diversified bio-activities. A new tetracyclic triterpenoid, integracide L (1), along with integracides B (2) and F (3), were separated from Mentha longifolia-associated Fusarium sp. (FS No. MAR2014). Their structures were verified utilizing varied spectral analyses. The isolated metabolites (1-3), alongside the earlier reported integracides G (4), H (5), and J (6), were inspected for 5-LOX inhibition capacity. Interestingly, 1-6 possessed marked 5-LOX inhibition potentials with IC₅₀s ranging from 1.18 to 3.97 μM compared to zileuton (IC₅₀ 1.17 µM). Additionally, molecular docking was executed to examine the interaction among these metabolites and 5-LOX, as well as to validate the in vitro findings. The docking study revealed their inhibitory activity interactions in the binding pocket. These findings highlighted the potential of integracides as lead metabolites for anti-inflammation drug discovery.

Cocultivation of White-Rot Fungi and Microalgae in the Presence of Nanocellulose

Cocultivation of fungi and algae can result in a mutualistic or antagonistic interaction depending on the species involved and the cultivation conditions. In this study, we investigated the growth behavior and enzymatic activity of two filamentous white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor and Trametes pubescens) and two freshwater algae (Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus vacuolatus) cocultured in the presence of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical) oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The growth of fungi and algae was studied in liquid, agar medium, and 3D-printed nanocellulose hydrogels. The results showed that cocultures grew faster under nutrient-rich conditions than in nutrient-depleted conditions. Key cellulose-degrading enzymes, including endoglucanase and laccase activities, were higher in liquid cocultures of T. versicolor and S. vacuolatus in the presence of cellulose compared to single cultures of fungi or algae. Although similar results were observed for cocultures of T. pubescens and C. vulgaris, laccase production diminished over time in these cultures. Fungi and algae were capable of growth in 3D-printed cellulose hydrogels. These results showed that cellulase enzyme production could be enhanced by cocultivating white-rot fungi with freshwater algae under nutrient-rich conditions with TEMPO-CNF and CNC. Additionally, the growth of white-rot fungi and freshwater algae in printed cellulose hydrogels demonstrates the potential use of fungi and algae in hydrogel systems for biotechnological applications, including biofuel production and bio-based fuel cell components. IMPORTANCE Depending on the conditions used to grow fungi and algae in the lab, they can interact in a mutually beneficial or negative way. These interactions could stimulate the organisms to produce enzymes in response to the interaction. We studied how wood decay fungi and freshwater algae grew in the presence and absence of cellulose, one of the basic building blocks of wood. How fungi and algae grew in 3D-printed cellulose hydrogels was also tested. Our results showed that fungi and algae partners produced significantly larger amounts of enzymes that degraded cellulose when grown with cellulose than when grown alone. In addition, fungi and algae were shown to grow in dense nanocellulose hydrogels and could survive the shear conditions during gel structuring while 3D-printing. These cultures could potentially be applied in the biotech industry for applications like energy production from cellulose, biofuel production, and bioremediation of cellulose material.

Pharmaceutical prospects of biosurfactants produced from fungal species

The development of novel types of biogenic surface-active compounds is of greater interest for combating many diseases and infections. In this respect research and development of biosurfactant has gained immense importance. Substantially, biosurfactant is defined as a class of active amphiphilic chemical compounds that comprise hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties on their surfaces. It is generally known that many kinds of microorganisms can be used to produce these surfactants or surface-active compounds. Hosting interesting features such as biodegradability, emulsifying/de-emulsifying capacity, low toxicity, and antimicrobial activities; these amphiphilic compounds in recent years have flourished as an ideal replacement for the chemically synthesized surfactant, and also have various commercial attractions. Both bacteria and fungi are the producers of these amphiphilic molecules; however, the pathogenicity of certain bacterial strains has caused a shift in interest toward fungi. Therefore, various fungi species have been reported for the production of biosurfactants amongst which Candida species have been the most studied strains. Biosurfactants uphold desired properties like antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiadhesion, and anticancer activity which proves them an ideal candidate for the application in various fields like pharmaceutical, gene therapy, medical insertion safety, immunotherapy to fight against many chronic diseases, and so forth. Hence, this review article discusses the pharmaceutical prospects of biosurfactants produced from different fungal species, providing new directions toward the discovery and development of molecules with novel structures and diverse functions for advanced application in the medical field.

Global seaweed farming and processing in the past 20 years

Seaweed has emerged as one of the most promising resources due to its remarkable adaptability, short development period, and resource sustainability. It is an effective breakthrough to alleviate future resource crises. Algal resources have reached a high stage of growth in the past years due to the increased output and demand for seaweed worldwide. Several aspects global seaweed farming production and processing over the last 20 years are reviewed, such as the latest situation and approaches of seaweed farming. Research progress and production trend of various seaweed application are discussed. Besides, the challenges faced by seaweed farming and processing are also analyzed, and the related countermeasures are proposed, which can provide advice for seaweed farming and processing. The primary products, extraction and application, or waste utilization of seaweed would bring greater benefits with the continuous development and improvement of applications in various fields.

Graphical Abstract

Association of Mushrooms and Algae Consumption with Mortality among Chinese Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

Mushrooms and algae are important sources of dietary bioactive compounds, but their associations with mortality remain unclear. We examined the association of mushrooms and algae consumption with subsequent risk of all-cause mortality among older adults. This study included 13,156 older adults aged 65 years and above in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2008–2018). Consumption of mushrooms and algae at baseline and age of 60 were assessed using a simplified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During 74,976 person-years of follow-up, a total of 8937 death cases were documented. After adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, and other dietary factors, participants who consumed mushrooms and algae at least once per week had a lower risk of all-cause mortality than rare consumers (0–1 time per year) (HR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.80–0.93). Compared to participants with rare intake at both age 60 and the study baseline (average age of 87), those who maintained regular consumptions over time had the lowest hazard of mortality (HR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76–0.98). Our findings supported the potential beneficial role of long-term consumption of mushrooms and algae in reducing all-cause mortality among older adults. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the health benefit for longevity of specific types of mushrooms and algae.

Edible Mushrooms for Sustainable and Healthy Human Food: Nutritional and Medicinal Attributes

Global food production faces many challenges, including climate change, a water crisis, land degradation, and desertification. These challenges require research into non-traditional sources of human foods. Edible mushrooms are considered an important next-generation healthy food source. Edible mushrooms are rich in proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive components (alkaloids, lactones, polysaccharides, polyphenolic compounds, sesquiterpenes, sterols, and terpenoids). Several bioactive ingredients can be extracted from edible mushrooms and incorporated into health-promoting supplements. It has been suggested that several human diseases can be treated with extracts from edible mushrooms, as these extracts have biological effects including anticancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immune-potentiating, and hypo-cholesterolemic influences. The current study focuses on sustainable approaches for handling edible mushrooms and their secondary metabolites, including biofortification. Comparisons between edible and poisonous mushrooms, as well as the common species of edible mushrooms and their different bioactive ingredients, are crucial. Nutritional values and the health benefits of edible mushrooms, as well as different biomedical applications, have been also emphasized. Further research is needed to explore the economic sustainability of different medicinal mushroom bioactive compound extracts and their potential applications against emerging diseases such as COVID-19. New approaches such as nano-biofortification are also needed to supply edible mushrooms with essential nutrients and/or to increase their bioactive ingredients.

Diversity Patterns of Macrofungi in Xerothermic Grasslands from the Nida Basin (Małopolska Upland, Southern Poland): A Case Study

Simple Summary

Southern Poland exhibits a diverse array of habitats for fungi; however, little is known about the richness and diversity of macrofungi occurring in xerothermic grasslands known as dry grasslands. Xerothermic grasslands with their unique flora and fauna are among the most valuable and, at the same time, most severely threatened habitats of Europe’s natural environment. Studies on such habitats were conducted in southern Poland during the period of 2010 to 2013.

Abstract

Macrofungal communities were investigated in seven plant associations of xerothermic grasslands in the Nida Basin located in the Małopolska Upland of southern Poland. Designation of associations at selected study sites was based on phytosociological relevés using the Braun-Blanquet method. During the years 2010–2013, we studied the diversity and distribution of macrofungi in dry grasslands, where 164 species of basidio- and ascomycetes were recovered. We determined the properties of the studied fungal communities and habitat preferences of individual species found in the analyzed xerothermic plant associations using ecological indicators for macrofungi according to Ellenberg indicator values. Diversity patterns of fungal communities in xerothermic grasslands are strongly influenced by various environmental factors. In our study, we focused on recording the fruiting bodies of all macrofungi and the proportion of each species in the study communities, as well as possible identification of the most likely indicator species for particular habitats. We found significant differences for two of the seven associations analyzed, namely Thalictro-Salvietum pratensis and Inuletum ensifoliae. However, based on Ellenberg indicator values for fungi, it is not possible to clearly define fungi as indicator species.

Medicinal Components in Edible Mushrooms on Diabetes Mellitus Treatment

Mushrooms belong to the family “Fungi” and became famous for their medicinal properties and easy accessibility all over the world. Because of its pharmaceutical properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties, it became a hot topic among scientists. However, depending on species and varieties, most of the medicinal properties became indistinct. With this interest, an attempt has been made to scrutinize the role of edible mushrooms (EM) in diabetes mellitus treatment. A systematic contemporary literature review has been carried out from all records such as Science Direct, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar with an aim to represents the work has performed on mushrooms focuses on diabetes, insulin resistance (IR), and preventive mechanism of IR, using different kinds of mushroom extracts. The final review represents that EM plays an important role in anticipation of insulin resistance with the help of active compounds, i.e., polysaccharide, vitamin D, and signifies α-glucosidase or α-amylase preventive activities. Although most of the mechanism is not clear yet, many varieties of mushrooms’ medicinal properties have not been studied properly. So, in the future, further investigation is needed on edible medicinal mushrooms to overcome the research gap to use its clinical potential to prevent non-communicable diseases.