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Effects of Heat Stress and Exogenous Salicylic Acid on Secondary Metabolites Biosynthesis in Pleurotus ostreatus

Summary

This research investigated how heat stress and salicylic acid affect the production of beneficial compounds in oyster mushrooms. The study found that these treatments can significantly increase the production of valuable substances like natural antibiotics and heparin (a blood-thinning medication). This has important implications for everyday life: • Could lead to new natural sources of important medicines like antibiotics and blood thinners • May improve the nutritional and medicinal value of commercially grown mushrooms • Demonstrates how simple environmental changes can enhance mushroom’s health benefits • Could reduce dependence on animal-derived medical compounds • Shows potential for more sustainable production of pharmaceutical compounds

Background

Fungi have historically been important sources of medicinal compounds and secondary metabolites like penicillin, statins, and polysaccharides that contribute to human health. Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) is one of the most commercially cultivated edible fungi worldwide and contains many bioactive components including polysaccharides, steroids, flavonoids, and other compounds. However, there are few studies on regulating secondary metabolite accumulation in P. ostreatus.

Objective

To analyze the effects of heat stress (24h at 40°C) and salicylic acid (0.05 mmol/L) treatment on the secondary metabolism of P. ostreatus through metabolome, transcriptome, and gene differential expression analysis.

Results

Salicylic acid treatment significantly increased accumulation of antibiotics and polyketones, with notable increases in compounds like cefozopran (24-fold) and tetracenomycin. Heat stress treatment increased accumulation of flavonoids, polyketones, terpenoids and polysaccharides, with heparin showing the largest increase (4565-fold). Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation of genes involved in antibiotic synthesis with SA treatment and genes involved in glycan biosynthesis with heat stress.

Conclusion

Different environmental factors have distinct effects on secondary metabolite biosynthesis in P. ostreatus. Heat stress significantly increases accumulation of flavonoids, polyketones, terpenoids and polysaccharides, particularly heparin, while salicylic acid treatment promotes accumulation of antibiotics and polyketones. This study provides insight into regulating valuable secondary metabolite production in mushrooms.
  • Published in:Life (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/life12060915
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