The Potential of Mycelium and Culture Broth of Lignosus rhinocerotis as Substitutes for the Naturally Occurring Sclerotium with Regard to Antioxidant Capacity, Cytotoxic Effect, and Low-Molecular-Weight Chemical Constituents

This research investigated whether lab-grown mushroom tissue (mycelium) and its growth liquid could substitute for naturally occurring tiger’s milk mushroom, which is rare and difficult to obtain in the wild. The study found that these lab-grown alternatives contained similar beneficial compounds and showed comparable or better antioxidant properties while remaining safe for consumption. This discovery has important implications for everyday life: • Makes beneficial mushroom compounds more accessible and affordable through controlled laboratory production • Reduces pressure on wild mushroom populations by providing sustainable alternatives • Opens possibilities for standardized production of mushroom-based health supplements • Provides a more reliable and consistent source of medicinal mushroom compounds • Could lead to more affordable mushroom-based products for consumers