Research Keyword: secondary metabolite production

Comparative genome analysis of patulin-producing Penicillium paneum OM1 isolated from pears

Researchers sequenced the complete genome of a mold called Penicillium paneum that produces a toxic substance called patulin, which contaminates apples and pears. They found all 15 genes responsible for making patulin and discovered the mold has similar genetic patterns to other patulin-producing fungi. This information could help scientists develop better ways to prevent patulin contamination on fruit crops and improve food safety.

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Alliance Between Conifer Trees and Endophytic Fungi Against Insect Defoliators

This study discovered that special fungi living inside white spruce trees help protect the trees from damaging insects called budworms. These fungi produce toxic substances and smelly compounds that kill or repel the budworms. When researchers increased the amount of these beneficial fungi in young spruce trees, the trees produced higher levels of protective chemicals called terpenes. This research shows that the relationship between spruce trees, fungi, and insects has evolved together over time, with fungi playing a crucial role in keeping trees healthy.

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Quantitative Characterization of Gene Regulatory Circuits Associated With Fungal Secondary Metabolism to Discover Novel Natural Products

Scientists developed a special technology using tiny channels and fluorescent markers to understand how fungi control their genes that produce valuable compounds. By precisely measuring how different genes turn on and off in individual fungal cells, they can now predict and control when and how much of useful medicines and other bioactive molecules are made. They successfully used this knowledge to create new pathways that produce novel compounds, including new types of dendrobine molecules never seen before.

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

Scientists studied a medicinal mushroom called Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis to understand how different growing methods affect the production of beneficial compounds. They found that growing the mushroom in special bags with certain wood substrates produced far more of the valuable compounds (up to 12-fold more) compared to growing it on rice medium. By examining which genes were active in different growing conditions, they discovered how the mushroom’s cells control the production of these medicinal compounds, which could help farmers grow more potent medicinal mushrooms.

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Genomic characterization and fermentation study of the endophyte Stemphylium sp. (Aa22), a producer of bioactive alkyl-resorcinols

Scientists have studied a beneficial fungus called Stemphylium sp. Aa22 that lives inside wormwood plants and produces natural insect-repelling compounds called alkyl-resorcinols. By reading the complete genetic code of this fungus, researchers identified the gene responsible for making these compounds and found that growing the fungus in liquid culture produces more of the desired compounds than growing it on solid rice. This research could lead to developing natural, environmentally-friendly pesticides to protect crops from aphids and other pests.

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Bifunctional Sesquiterpene/Diterpene Synthase Agr2 from Cyclocybe aegerita Gives Rise to the Novel Diterpene Cyclocybene

Scientists discovered that a fungal enzyme from the black poplar mushroom (Cyclocybe aegerita) can produce two different types of beneficial compounds called terpenes. Using a baker’s yeast relative as a host organism, they found that the enzyme makes both a known sesquiterpene and an entirely new diterpene compound they named cyclocybene. This discovery shows that fungi can be better factories for producing these valuable compounds than bacteria previously used, opening doors for developing new medicines, fragrances, and biofuels.

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Influence of Culture Conditions on Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Review

This review examines how growing conditions affect the medicinal compounds produced by Cordyceps militaris mushrooms. The research shows that factors like light exposure, specific nutrient combinations, and growing on insect-based substrates can significantly boost production of beneficial compounds like cordycepin. These findings suggest ways to produce more effective and affordable medicinal mushroom products for use in supplements and pharmaceuticals.

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Production of fungal hypocrellin photosensitizers: Exploiting bambusicolous fungi and elicitation strategies in mycelium cultures

Hypocrellins are powerful compounds from fungi that can treat cancers and infections through light-activated therapy. Since wild sources are limited, scientists are growing these fungi in laboratory cultures and using special techniques to boost production. This review summarizes the best methods for producing hypocrellins, from choosing the right fungal strains to optimizing growing conditions and using natural stimulants to increase yields.

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Transcriptome and Metabolome Integration Reveals the Impact of Fungal Elicitors on Triterpene Accumulation in Sanghuangporus sanghuang

Researchers studied how special fungal compounds called elicitors can boost the production of healing substances in a medicinal mushroom called Sanghuangporus sanghuang. By analyzing genes and metabolites, they found that adding elicitors increased beneficial compounds like betulinic acid and 2-hydroxyoleanolic acid by up to 114-fold. These findings suggest a practical way to produce more medicinal compounds from this mushroom for health applications.

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Citric Acid Induces the Increase in Lenthionine Content in Shiitake Mushroom, Lentinula edodes

Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their unique flavor, which comes from a compound called lenthionine. This study found that treating shiitake mushrooms with citric acid (a common ingredient in food) can significantly increase the amount of lenthionine produced. The research identified the specific genes and enzymes responsible for this effect and determined the best conditions for the treatment, which could help mushroom producers create higher-quality, better-tasting products at lower cost.

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