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Development of Hybrid Pleurotus cystidiosus Strains with Enhanced Functional Properties

Summary

Scientists created new hybrid varieties of abalone mushrooms by breeding two different strains together. These new hybrids produced more health-beneficial compounds like antioxidants and fiber-like polysaccharides than their parent strains. Two particularly promising hybrids, PA-132 and PA-054, showed the strongest antioxidant properties and could potentially be developed into functional food products for health and wellness applications.

Background

Pleurotus cystidiosus (abalone mushroom) is valued for its distinctive flavor and bioactive compounds but exhibits slow mycelial growth and limited commercial production. Edible mushrooms are rich sources of bioactive metabolites including polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and ergothioneine with diverse physiological functions. Previous crossbreeding studies in Pleurotus species have shown potential for enhancing productivity and metabolite profiles.

Objective

This study aimed to develop and evaluate new hybrid strains of Pleurotus cystidiosus with enhanced functional and physiological characteristics through crossbreeding between parental strains KMCC01257 and KMCC05164. The research tested the hypothesis that hybridization would improve mycelial growth, yield, and alter accumulation patterns of key bioactive metabolites including polysaccharides, phenolics, and ergothioneine.

Results

Four hybrid strains exhibited enhanced characteristics compared to parental strains. PA-132 showed the highest phenolic content and strongest antioxidant activity, while PA-104 displayed elevated polysaccharide (81.6 mg GE/g DW) and ergothioneine levels. Water extracts contained higher polysaccharides and phenolics than ethyl acetate extracts. Antioxidant activity increased during cultivation stages and was higher in water extracts, whereas α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was primarily detected in ethyl acetate extracts.

Conclusion

Hybridization effectively enhanced biosynthesis of bioactive metabolites and functional properties in P. cystidiosus, with different hybrid strains showing distinct metabolic specializations. PA-132 and PA-054 represent promising candidates for development as high-value functional mushroom cultivars. Future investigations incorporating multi-environment testing, transcriptomic analyses, and in vivo validation will be essential to assess commercial and nutritional value.
  • Published in:Foods,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41465035, DOI: 10.3390/foods14244329
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