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Effective Stimulation of the Biotechnological Potential of the Medicinal White Rot Fungus: Phellinus pini by Menadione-Mediated Oxidative Stress

Summary

This research examined how treating a medicinal fungus (Phellinus pini) with a stress-inducing compound called menadione could stimulate the production of valuable enzymes. The study found that this treatment effectively increased the production of several industrially important enzymes that could be useful in various applications. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to more efficient production of enzymes used in industrial processes and manufacturing – May help develop new methods for producing compounds used in medicine and pharmaceuticals – Provides insights into how fungi can be used to create environmentally friendly industrial processes – Could contribute to development of new biotechnology applications – Helps understand how to better utilize fungi for human benefit

Background

White rot Basidiomycota fungi have received increasing attention as sources of natural components including low molecular compounds, proteins, polysaccharides, and polysaccharide-protein complexes for industry, food processing, and drug manufacturing. Phellinus pini is a widespread red mushroom that grows on Pinaceae and Cupressaceae trees and can be a source of potentially medicinal substances like enzymes, polysaccharides, and ceramides. Its extracts have shown antitumor, immunostimulating, antiviral, antibacterial, and hypocholesterolemic activities.

Objective

To determine the effect of menadione (MQ), a superoxide-generating agent, on the natural biodegradation system in the medicinal white rot fungus Phellinus pini, particularly examining changes in enzyme activities and stress response mechanisms.

Results

The addition of 0.75 mM MQ significantly stimulated extracellular MnP activity, with peak levels 5 days after treatment (10 times higher than control). Chitinase activity increased up to 8 times higher than control by day 10. The treatment caused increased levels of superoxide anion radicals, formaldehyde, and phenolic compounds. Catalase activity was enhanced throughout the experiment, peaking at day 5. Serine protease activities at pH 9.0 increased while acid proteolysis at pH 3.5 decreased under oxidative stress conditions.

Conclusion

Menadione-induced oxidative stress effectively stimulated the natural biodegradation system in P. pini, particularly enhancing the activities of biotechnologically applicable enzymes like MnP, chitinase, and serine proteinases. This suggests oxidative stimulation could be a novel method for increasing production of these valuable enzymes. The results indicate that prooxidative events can regulate a wide variety of cellular processes in fungi and trigger metabolic rebuilding.
  • Published in:Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s12010-014-1064-2
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