Fungi naturally produce many compounds that kill harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review explores how these fungal compounds could replace antibiotics that no longer work due to drug resistance. These natural substances could be used not only as medicines but also in cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth and improve skin health.
Scientists have discovered a way to use Huangjiu lees, the waste material left over from making Chinese rice wine, to produce pullulan, a valuable biopolymer used in food and medicine. By evolving a special fungal strain through repeated exposure to these lees, they created a strain that produces pullulan much more efficiently. Using optimized fermentation conditions and a two-stage process with different microorganisms, they achieved significantly higher pullulan yields, making this previously discarded byproduct into a valuable resource.
Mushroom mycelium grown in liquid fermentation produces many beneficial compounds like polysaccharides and proteins that support immune function and may help fight cancer and oxidative stress. These fermented mushroom products can be added to foods, beverages, and health supplements to boost their nutritional value and health benefits. Studies show that fermented mushroom mycelium sometimes contains higher levels of beneficial compounds compared to whole mushroom fruiting bodies, making it a promising ingredient for functional foods and health products.
Fungi naturally produce complex chemical compounds called secondary metabolites that have powerful effects against diseases and pests. These include well-known medicines like penicillin and compounds that can fight cancer, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol. Scientists are now using advanced genetic and biotechnology techniques to increase production of these fungal compounds, making them more available and affordable for medical, agricultural, and environmental applications. This research shows how fungi could be important sources of new medicines and sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals.
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.
Fermentation is an ancient food preparation method that science is rediscovering as a powerful tool for making foods more nutritious and safer to eat. By using specific bacteria and fungi to ferment various foods like soybeans, grains, and vegetables, researchers have found that fermentation increases the availability of vitamins and minerals our bodies can absorb, reduces harmful compounds in foods, and helps preserve them naturally. This technology also offers sustainable solutions by making use of overlooked crops and reducing food waste, all while potentially lowering salt content in traditionally salty foods.
Researchers developed a new fermentation method using agar plates to grow a fungus called Mortierella alpina that produces arachidonic acid, an important nutrient used in medicines and supplements. This method produced significantly more arachidonic acid than traditional liquid fermentation while being more environmentally friendly. By understanding how the fungus grows differently on agar plates, they optimized the production process to achieve even higher yields, making this approach promising for commercial production.
Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus used in traditional medicine for treating fatigue, boosting immunity, and fighting cancer. This review explains how growing conditions—such as the type of grain or insect substrate used, light exposure, temperature, and nutrient balance—dramatically affect the production of beneficial compounds like cordycepin. The research shows that mixing grains with insect-based materials and using specific light wavelengths can significantly increase the potency of these medicinal fungi, making them more effective for health applications.
Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus used traditionally for treating fatigue, boosting immunity, and managing various health conditions. This comprehensive review explains how different growing methods, nutrients, light, temperature, and substrate materials affect the production of beneficial compounds in the fungus. The findings show that mixing grains with insect materials and using specific light conditions can significantly increase production of cordycepin, the most promising compound for cancer and immune health. The review identifies that more standardized growing methods and better understanding of the fungus’s metabolism are needed to make large-scale production practical and affordable.