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.
Researchers compared three environmentally friendly methods for extracting beneficial compounds from Chaga mushrooms collected from Serbia and Mongolia. The study found that heating mushroom material with water under pressure (subcritical water extraction) was the most effective at extracting important compounds like glucans and phenols. These findings help the mushroom supplement industry choose the best extraction method based on which compounds they want to produce.
This review explains how fermentation—a natural biological process—can enhance the health-promoting compounds in plant-based foods. By using specific fungi and bacteria on solid plant materials, scientists can increase beneficial antioxidants and proteins that may help prevent chronic diseases. This method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional extraction techniques, making nutritious plant foods even healthier.
This study compared white and brown varieties of beech mushrooms, which are popular edible mushrooms in South Korea. Brown beech mushrooms were found to have higher levels of beneficial compounds called phenolics, which give them a more bitter taste and brown color. The research showed that brown mushrooms have stronger health-promoting properties, including better abilities to fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, and combat oxidative stress, making them potentially more valuable as functional foods for health and nutrition.
Mushrooms are nutrient-dense foods that can help address malnutrition and provide health benefits comparable to meat and eggs. They contain proteins, vitamins, minerals, and special compounds that help fight inflammation, boost immunity, and prevent diseases like cancer and heart disease. Mushroom-based products like powders, capsules, and fortified foods are becoming increasingly available in markets, offering practical ways to incorporate these nutritional benefits into daily diets.
Sea buckthorn is an ancient medicinal plant containing hundreds of bioactive compounds that show promise in treating digestive diseases like stomach ulcers, colitis, and liver problems. This comprehensive review of 85 scientific studies found that sea buckthorn’s active ingredients work through multiple mechanisms including reducing inflammation, fighting harmful bacteria, protecting the intestinal lining, and balancing gut bacteria. The research suggests sea buckthorn could become a valuable natural supplement for digestive health, though more clinical trials are needed to confirm optimal doses and long-term effectiveness in humans.
This study examined three popular edible mushroom species from Poland to understand their nutritional benefits and safety. While all three mushrooms are rich in beneficial compounds like antioxidants and immune-boosting polysaccharides, Boletus edulis (porcini) accumulates concerning levels of cadmium from soil. The research shows these mushrooms are safe in normal amounts, but eating excessive quantities of porcini mushrooms could exceed safe limits for toxic metals, especially for people in polluted areas.
Grape pomace is the leftover material from making wine, typically discarded as waste. This review shows that grape pomace is actually packed with beneficial plant compounds called phenolics that have powerful health effects. These compounds can fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, help control blood sugar, and protect heart health, making grape pomace waste valuable for creating new health products in food, cosmetics, and medicine.
Researchers discovered that waste from shrimp processing can be converted into a natural fungicide that effectively kills plant-damaging fungi and mold. When applied to oranges, lemons, and apples artificially infected with mold, the shrimp waste extract significantly reduced rot and fruit damage. This finding is important because it offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides while helping reduce the massive amounts of shrimp processing waste that typically end up in landfills or oceans.
Researchers studied a wood mushroom called Inonotus nidus-pici to understand its healing potential. They found it contains beneficial compounds like quercetin and rosmarinic acid that act as antioxidants. When tested on rats with chemically-induced stomach ulcers, the mushroom extract provided protection similar to common ulcer medications, suggesting it could help prevent stomach damage from pain relievers.