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Enhanced Effects of Iron on Mycelial Growth, Metabolism and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Polysaccharides from Lentinula edodes

Summary

This research shows how adding iron to shiitake mushroom cultures can significantly increase the production of beneficial compounds called polysaccharides, while also improving their antioxidant properties. This discovery could make it easier and more cost-effective to produce these health-promoting compounds for use in medicine and supplements. Impacts on everyday life: • Could lead to more affordable shiitake-based supplements and medicines • May improve the production of natural antioxidants for health products • Could help make beneficial mushroom compounds more widely available to consumers • Demonstrates a natural way to enhance the health benefits of mushroom products • Could contribute to more efficient and sustainable production of medicinal mushroom compounds

Background

Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) contains bioactive polysaccharides like lentinan that offer multiple biological benefits including anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, and immunity-enhancing activities. However, polysaccharide content in L. edodes fruiting bodies is very low and production methods need improvement. Previous research has shown that adding certain ions can enhance polysaccharide production in fungi.

Objective

To explore the effects of iron (Fe2+) supplementation on L. edodes mycelial growth, polysaccharide production, enzyme activities, gene expression of enzymes involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis, and the in vitro antioxidant activities of the produced polysaccharides.

Results

The optimal Fe2+ concentration was 200 mg/L, which increased biomass 1.8-fold compared to control. When added after 7 days shaking and 3 days static culture, Fe2+ enhanced intracellular polysaccharide (2.98-fold) and exopolysaccharide (1.79-fold) production. Key enzyme activities increased significantly, with strong correlation between IPS production and PGM/UGP activities. Gene expression of polysaccharide synthesis enzymes was upregulated. Polysaccharides from Fe2+-treated cultures showed improved antioxidant activity, particularly in scavenging hydroxyl radicals.

Conclusion

Iron supplementation effectively enhanced L. edodes biomass, polysaccharide biosynthesis, and biological activity. The addition of 200 mg/L Fe2+ increased enzyme activities and gene expression related to polysaccharide production while improving the antioxidant properties of the extracted polysaccharides. This provides a promising method for improving industrial production of bioactive polysaccharides from L. edodes.
  • Published in:Bioengineering,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/bioengineering9100581
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