Research Keyword: Basidiomycota

Fungi as source for new bio-based materials: a patent review

Researchers reviewed patents from 2009-2018 on using fungal mycelium to create eco-friendly materials. Instead of petroleum-based plastics, scientists grow fungi on agricultural waste like corn stalks and wood chips, where fungal threads bind the materials together into strong, biodegradable products. These fungal materials are being developed for packaging, car interiors, textiles, and insulation, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

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Six Unrecorded Species of Agaricales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) from Mudeungsan National Park in Korea

Researchers discovered six previously unknown mushroom species in Mudeungsan National Park in southern Korea. These species were identified using both traditional microscopic examination and modern DNA analysis techniques. The findings show that despite being a major protected area, the park’s fungal diversity remains incompletely documented, suggesting more undiscovered species may exist there. Some of these mushrooms are notable for having bioactive properties with potential medicinal applications.

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Use of Medicinal Mushrooms in Layer Ration

This review discusses how medicinal mushrooms can be added to chicken feed to improve egg production and boost chicken health, offering a natural alternative to antibiotics. Several types of mushrooms like shiitake and oyster mushrooms have been shown to increase egg quality, strengthen immunity against diseases, and reduce cholesterol in eggs. These findings support the use of mushrooms as a sustainable solution for organic egg farming without compromising production or health.

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Large-scale phenotyping of 1,000 fungal strains for the degradation of non-natural, industrial compounds

Scientists tested over 1,000 different fungi to see which ones could break down human-made pollutants like industrial dyes, plastics, and paper waste. They found that different types of fungi are good at degrading different pollutants, with wood-decaying fungi being particularly useful. This research suggests that fungi could be engineered to help clean up environmental pollution caused by industry and human activities.

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Mycelium: A Nutrient-Dense Food To Help Address World Hunger, Promote Health, and Support a Regenerative Food System

Mycelium, the thread-like root structure of fungi, could help solve world hunger by providing nutritious, sustainable protein in just days. Unlike meat production which takes months to years, mycelium grows rapidly using minimal water and produces far less greenhouse gas. Early research suggests it may help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar control while supporting a healthier planet.

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Proteins from Edible Mushrooms: Nutritional Role and Contribution to Well-Being

Mushrooms are nutritional powerhouses containing as much high-quality protein as meat and soybeans, with complete amino acid profiles needed for human health. Beyond basic nutrition, mushroom proteins possess remarkable healing properties including anti-cancer, immune-boosting, and blood pressure-lowering effects. These sustainable proteins are increasingly used in food fortification, sports supplements, and therapeutic medicines. Growing mushrooms as mycelium or using novel cultivation methods makes protein production faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly.

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The treasured giants: a current overview on agricultural, nutritional, bioactive, and economic potential of Macrocybe Species (Agaricales, Basidiomycota)

Macrocybe mushrooms are giant edible fungi found in tropical regions worldwide that offer significant nutritional and health benefits. These mushrooms can be cultivated using agricultural waste materials like sawdust and straw, making them an economical crop. Rich in proteins, fibers, vitamins, and medicinal compounds, they possess antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties that could benefit human health.

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Three New Fungi from China: A Potentially Psychoactive Psilocybe and Two Deconica Species

This research describes three new mushroom species from China: Psilocybe striata and two Deconica species. Psilocybe striata is notable for its blue bruising and potential psychoactive properties, expanding where we know psilocybin mushrooms grow. The study used both physical characteristics and genetic analysis to identify and classify these fungi, discovering that China has much greater fungal diversity than previously documented.

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Genetic regulation of l-tryptophan metabolism in Psilocybe mexicana supports psilocybin biosynthesis

Researchers studied how magic mushrooms (Psilocybe mexicana) regulate their chemistry to produce psilocybin, the psychoactive compound. They found that when mushrooms start fruiting, they turn on genes that make tryptophan (an amino acid building block) and turn off genes that break it down, directing all the tryptophan toward psilocybin production. This coordinated genetic control ensures the mushroom has enough of this key ingredient. This knowledge could help grow these mushrooms in labs for legitimate medical research into treating depression.

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Mycoremediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Soil Using Native Ganoderma and Trametes Strains from the Ecuadorian Amazon

Oil spills in the Amazon rainforest cause serious environmental and health problems. Scientists discovered that certain mushroom fungi found in Ecuador can break down petroleum pollutants in soil more effectively than natural processes. In lab tests, five native fungal strains removed over 96% of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil in just 60 days, offering a promising natural solution for cleaning up oil-polluted areas.

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