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Proteomic Analysis of Auricularia auricula-judae Under Freezing Treatment Revealed Proteins and Pathways Associated with Melanin Reduction

Summary

This research examined how freezing affects the color of black wood ear mushrooms (Auricularia auricula-judae), which are commonly used in Asian cuisine and medicine. The study found that freezing causes the mushrooms to become lighter in color by affecting specific proteins and enzymes involved in pigment production. This has practical implications for mushroom cultivation and quality control. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps mushroom farmers better understand how freezing affects product quality – Could lead to improved storage methods to maintain mushroom color and appearance – Provides insight for developing better cultivation techniques in cold climates – May help develop methods to preserve natural food coloring – Could contribute to more efficient production of this nutritious food source

Background

Auricularia auricula-judae is an edible nutrient-rich mushroom used as both a food resource and traditional medicine in Asia. It contains proteins, microelements, vitamins, and carbohydrates while being low in fat. The mushroom is widely cultivated in northern China using bagging cultivation methods. Freezing pretreatment is a key step that affects growth rate, color formation and biomass yield, but the mechanisms behind how freezing impacts color quality are not well understood.

Objective

To analyze how freezing treatment affects melanin synthesis and color formation in A. auricula-judae through physiological assays and proteomic analysis, and to identify the proteins and pathways involved in melanin reduction during freezing.

Results

Longer freezing treatment caused lighter coloring of fruiting bodies. Proteomic analysis identified 51 and 36 differentially expressed proteins in mycelium and fruiting bodies respectively after freezing. Key proteins involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tyrosine metabolism, ribosome function and arginine biosynthesis were affected. Freezing treatment inhibited tyrosinase activity but enhanced laccase activity in mycelium. The content of sulfur and copper increased while zinc decreased in mycelium after freezing.

Conclusion

The study revealed that freezing treatment affects melanin synthesis through multiple pathways, particularly impacting proteins involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tyrosine metabolism, and ribosome function. The identified proteins could serve as molecular markers for improving melanin synthesis in extreme environments. The findings provide valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms behind freezing’s effects on A. auricula-judae color quality.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.610173
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