Research Keyword: metabolomics

Strain and contact-dependent metabolomic reprogramming reveals distinct interaction strategies between Laccaria bicolor and Trichoderma

This research explores how two types of soil fungi interact with each other through chemical signals. When Trichoderma (a beneficial biocontrol fungus) encounters Laccaria bicolor (a helpful fungus that aids plant growth), they communicate through airborne volatile compounds and secreted chemicals. The study found that these fungi employ different strategies depending on how close they are to each other, changing their chemical production to either compete or coexist, which has implications for improving agricultural biocontrol applications.

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Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

This editorial introduces a special issue on fungi that survive in harsh environments like deserts, salty water, polar regions, and polluted sites. Scientists are discovering that these remarkable fungi can help clean up contaminated soil, support plant growth under stress, and may have pharmaceutical uses. The research brings together classical mycology with modern genetic techniques to unlock the untapped potential of these extreme-environment fungi.

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Exploring Psilocybe spp. mycelium and fruiting body chemistry for potential therapeutic compounds

This study analyzed the chemical composition of ‘magic mushrooms’ (Psilocybe) at different growth stages—liquid cultures, grain cultures, and mature fruiting bodies. Using advanced laboratory techniques, researchers found that fruiting bodies contain the highest levels of psilocybin (the psychoactive compound), while mycelium contains unique beneficial compounds like alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine that may have therapeutic value without strong psychedelic effects. The findings suggest that Psilocybe mycelium could be developed as a non-intoxicating health supplement with potential therapeutic applications.

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A Fungal Endophyte Alters Poplar Leaf Chemistry, Deters Insect Feeding and Shapes Insect Community Assembly

A fungus that lives inside poplar trees helps protect them from insects by changing the tree’s chemical makeup and producing its own insect-repelling compound. Scientists found that this endophytic fungus makes poplar leaves taste worse to leaf-eating insects like gypsy moth caterpillars. However, in field conditions, the fungus unexpectedly attracts more aphids while keeping beetles and ants away, showing that endophytes can have complex effects on insect communities depending on the type of insect.

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Research on the Action and Mechanism of Pharmacological Components of Omphalia lapidescens

Omphalia lapidescens, a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine, contains multiple bioactive compounds with promising health benefits. These compounds can fight parasitic infections, inhibit cancer cell growth, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant protection. While clinical use shows benefits especially for gastric cancer when combined with chemotherapy, more research is needed to understand how these compounds work and to improve cultivation and production methods.

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Miniaturized high-throughput conversion of fungal strain collections into chemically characterized extract libraries for antimicrobial discovery

Scientists developed a fast, automated method called FLECS-96 to screen hundreds of fungal species for antimicrobial compounds in a small 96-well plate format. The method combines fungal culture, chemical extraction, and analysis to identify promising candidates against resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. The team successfully identified two bioactive compounds from the fungi tested. This innovation could significantly speed up the discovery of new antibiotics to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

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Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds in Edible Mushroom-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Isolation and Characterization of EVs from Pleurotus eryngii

Scientists have isolated and studied tiny capsule-like particles called extracellular vesicles from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus eryngii. These vesicles, which are naturally produced by the mushroom, contain beneficial compounds like antioxidants that help protect cells from damage. The researchers found that vesicles from mushroom mycelium (the root-like part) were of higher quality and had stronger antioxidant effects than those from the fruiting body. These findings suggest that mushroom-derived vesicles could potentially be developed into health supplements or therapeutic treatments.

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Multi-omics analysis of Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis: effects of different cultivation methods on secondary metabolites

This study examined how different growing methods affect the medicinal compounds found in Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis, a rare Chinese medicinal fungus. Researchers discovered that growing this fungus on wood substrates from specific trees significantly increased production of beneficial compounds like antcins and antrodin C, which have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. By analyzing gene expression patterns, they identified key genes and regulatory mechanisms that control the production of these medicinal compounds, suggesting ways to improve cultivation methods for better medicinal value.

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Research Progress on Nutritional Components, Functional Active Components, and Pharmacological Properties of Floccularia luteovirens

Floccularia luteovirens is a special mushroom from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that has been used in traditional Tibetan medicine for centuries. It is extremely nutritious, containing as much protein as meat and numerous beneficial compounds. Scientific research shows it can help fight disease, boost immunity, and even preserve food naturally, making it promising for development as a health supplement and functional food.

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