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Biological Characteristics and Domestication of Dichomitus squalens and the Antioxidant Activity of Its Cultivated Fruiting Bodies

Summary

Researchers cultivated a type of fungus called Dichomitus squalens and extracted beneficial compounds called polysaccharides from its fruiting bodies. These polysaccharides showed strong antioxidant properties, meaning they can help protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. The study identified the best growing conditions for this fungus and developed methods for farming it, suggesting it could become a natural source of antioxidants for health applications.

Background

Dichomitus squalens is a white-rot fungus with significant lignocellulose-degrading capabilities and environmental applications. However, systematic research on how environmental factors influence its mycelial development and secondary metabolite synthesis remains limited. Fungal polysaccharides have gained attention for their antioxidant properties and potential biomedical applications.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the optimal biological culture conditions for D. squalens through single-factor and orthogonal experiments, establish domestication cultivation protocols for fruiting body production, and evaluate the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides extracted from cultivated fruiting bodies.

Results

Optimal growth conditions were sucrose (carbon source), yeast extract powder (nitrogen source), pH 5.0, and 30°C, with pH being the most influential factor. Mature fruiting bodies developed approximately 57 days after inoculation. The crude polysaccharide extraction yield was 7.07% with total polysaccharide content of 24.69%, exhibiting hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of 56.74% and superoxide anion radical scavenging rate of 78.3% at 5.0 mg/mL concentration.

Conclusion

D. squalens demonstrates significant antioxidant potential through its cultivated fruiting body polysaccharides. The established optimal culture conditions and domestication protocols provide a foundation for industrial cultivation. These findings establish D. squalens as a promising source for natural antioxidants and medicinal fungal resource development.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40863546
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