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.
Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, shows promise in fighting certain blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The mushroom contains special compounds that can kill cancer cells in multiple ways—by triggering cancer cell death, boosting the immune system, and preventing cancer cell growth. While laboratory studies are very encouraging, more testing in humans is needed before it can be used as a standard cancer treatment.
Organic pollutants like oil, plastics, and pesticides are dangerous because they persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. Biosurfactants are eco-friendly molecules produced by microorganisms that can help break down these stubborn pollutants more effectively than traditional chemical methods. This research shows that biosurfactants can be produced cheaply using agricultural waste and have potential applications in cleaning up oil spills, treating contaminated soil, and even healing wounds.
This review explores how fungi produce remarkable chemical compounds that have been transformed into important medicines for over a century. Starting with penicillin in the 1940s, scientists have discovered dozens of fungal-derived drugs used to treat infections, prevent organ rejection, lower cholesterol, and fight cancer. Modern technology now allows researchers to discover and analyze these compounds much faster and with smaller samples than ever before.
Sulphur shelf fungus, known as ‘chicken of the woods,’ is a bright yellow mushroom that grows on tree trunks and has remarkable health benefits. Research shows it contains compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties, making it valuable for both food and medicine. The fungus can be cultivated relatively quickly and easily, and some countries already recognize it as safe for food use, potentially opening new applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Actinobacteria and fungi are powerful microorganisms that can be used together to clean up polluted environments and improve agriculture. When these two types of organisms work together in co-cultures, they can degrade toxic substances like pesticides and heavy metals more effectively than either could alone. This approach offers a sustainable way to address environmental contamination while potentially reducing reliance on chemical treatments.
Myxobacteria are tiny soil organisms that can attack and destroy disease-causing fungi, bacteria, and water molds that harm plants. These bacteria produce natural enzymes and chemical compounds that break down pathogen cell walls and stop them from growing. This makes myxobacteria promising candidates for environmentally friendly pest control in farming.
This review examines edible mushrooms found in Poland’s Roztocze region for their potential to fight cancer. These mushrooms contain natural compounds like polysaccharides and proteins that can kill cancer cells in laboratory studies through various mechanisms, including triggering cell death and boosting immune function. While promising, these findings from laboratory and animal studies need further development before becoming clinical treatments.
This study tested 30 different mushroom species to determine which ones are the best sources of natural antioxidants that can help protect the body from damage caused by harmful free radicals. Researchers grew the mushrooms in laboratory conditions and measured their antioxidant power and beneficial compounds like polyphenols and polysaccharides. Oyster-like mushrooms called Lentinula edodes and Fomitopsis pinicola showed the strongest antioxidant activity, making them promising candidates for use in health supplements and functional foods.
Researchers tested birch bolete mushrooms (Leccinum scabrum) for diabetes-fighting properties. They found that extracts from this edible mushroom were exceptionally effective at blocking enzymes that break down carbohydrates, potentially helping control blood sugar levels. The study identified key beneficial compounds including healthy fats and plant alkaloids, suggesting the mushroom could become a functional food or dietary supplement for managing type-2 diabetes.