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Physicochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Analysis of Vegetal Chitosan Extracted from Distinct Forest Fungi Species

Summary

Researchers extracted and tested chitosan from five different mushroom species as an alternative to traditional crab-derived chitosan for allergic individuals. Using various scientific techniques, they found that chitosan from lion’s mane mushroom (H. erinaceus) had the best ability to dissolve in solution and kill bacteria, making it promising for food preservation. The study shows that mushroom-based chitosan can work as well as or better than shellfish-derived chitosan while avoiding allergen risks, offering a sustainable solution for food packaging and preservation.

Background

Chitosan is a biodegradable polysaccharide derived from chitin, traditionally extracted from crustacean shells. However, individuals with shellfish allergies require alternative sources. Fungal sources of chitosan offer a promising alternative without allergen risks, though their properties require thorough investigation.

Objective

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive physicochemical and morphological characterization of chitosan extracted from five distinct forest fungi species and evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy compared to crustacean-derived chitosan.

Results

Chitin and chitosan yields varied significantly among species, with A. auricula-judae producing the highest yields. EDX confirmed chitosan extraction from four species. FTIR spectra showed similar absorbance patterns with varying intensities. H. erinaceus demonstrated the highest solubility and antimicrobial activity, while P. ostreatus showed the best moisture stability. A. auricula-judae exhibited unique XRD peaks and 17% lower crystallinity.

Conclusion

Vegetal chitosan from fungi can be successfully extracted and characterized with properties comparable to crustacean sources. The antimicrobial efficacy correlates with solubility, with H. erinaceus showing the most promising results. These findings support the development of fungal chitosan as a sustainable, allergen-free alternative for food preservation and biomedical applications.
  • Published in:Polymers (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/polym15102328, PMID: 37242902
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