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Molecular Identification of Two Strains of Phellinus sp. by Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequence Analysis

Summary

This research focused on accurately identifying two strains of medicinal mushrooms commonly used in Korean traditional medicine. Using DNA analysis techniques, researchers confirmed these mushrooms as Phellinus baumii, a species known for various health benefits. This identification is crucial for ensuring the safe and effective use of these mushrooms in medical treatments. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps ensure consumers are getting genuine medicinal mushrooms when purchasing supplements • Enables more reliable quality control in traditional medicine markets • Supports the development of new therapeutic treatments using these mushrooms • Contributes to safer use of natural medicine products • Assists in standardizing traditional medicine practices

Background

Phellinus belongs to a genus of pore fungi with important medicinal value, with many species used in folk medicine due to their biochemical and pharmaceutical properties. Species like P. linteus have demonstrated anti-carcinogenic properties, immune system benefits, and tumor growth inhibition. The cultivation of Phellinus sp. fruit bodies has become popular in Korea, but clear species-level identification of cultivated specimens has been lacking.

Objective

To identify two commonly used cultivated Phellinus strains at the species level using molecular biological analysis, specifically through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis.

Results

The two examined strains showed typical Phellinus characteristics with bracket-like fruit bodies, yellow-to-orange coloring, and poroid hymenial surfaces. The amplicon sizes were 811 bp and 812 bp for KM-5 and KM-6 respectively, with 99.4% sequence homology between them. Both strains showed 99% similarity with P. (Inonotus) baumii strain PB0806, leading to their identification as P. baumii.

Conclusion

Through ITS sequence analysis, the two cultivated Phellinus strains were successfully identified as P. baumii. Given P. baumii’s known pharmaceutical activities, including anti-obesity effects, anti-oxidant properties, and ability to inhibit pulmonary inflammation, further investigation of these cultivated specimens for pharmaceutical applications is warranted.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.5941/MYCO.2011.39.4.299
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