Fungal Species:  Agaricus bisporus

Fruiting body-associated Pseudomonas contact triggers ROS-mediated perylenequinone biosynthesis in Shiraia mycelium culture

Scientists discovered that bacteria living inside medicinal mushroom fruiting bodies can trigger the production of powerful healing compounds called perylenequinones through direct physical contact. These compounds are being used to fight cancer and harmful bacteria through a therapy called photodynamic therapy. The study shows that when bacteria touch the mushroom’s cells, it causes the mushroom to produce more of these therapeutic compounds by creating controlled stress that activates specific genes.

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Providing a toolbox for genomic engineering of Trichoderma aggressivum

Scientists have developed a set of techniques to genetically modify the fungus Trichoderma aggressivum, which is usually known for ruining mushroom crops. This genetic toolkit allows researchers to edit genes in this fungus to study how it produces various compounds and why it affects mushrooms. By using modern gene-editing technology called CRISPR, researchers can now create specific mutations and study the fungus’s useful properties, such as its potential to protect crops or promote plant growth.

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Integrated Transcriptomics–Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Response Mechanism of Morchella sextelata to Pseudodiploöspora longispora Infection

White mold disease is a major problem for morel mushroom farmers in China. Researchers identified the fungus causing this disease and studied how morel cells defend themselves. Using advanced molecular techniques, they found that morel cells respond to infection by changing their cell membranes and walls, and by activating protective proteins that fight oxidative stress. This research helps explain how the disease damages morels and could lead to developing stronger, disease-resistant mushroom varieties.

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Orthrus: a Pumilio-family gene involved in fruiting body and dark stipe development in Coprinopsis cinerea

Scientists studied a gene called ort2 in a common lab mushroom species to understand how mushrooms develop their fruiting bodies. They found that this gene is particularly important for developing dark stipes – elongated structures that mushrooms grow in darkness to push themselves toward light. By turning this gene off or increasing its activity, researchers could control how many dark stipes formed, suggesting this gene could have practical applications in mushroom farming.

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Cloning and Expression Analysis of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene in the Mycelium and Fruit Body of the Edible Mushroom Flammulina velutipes

Scientists cloned and studied a gene called PAL in the winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes), which produces trans-cinnamic acid from phenylalanine. They found that this gene is activated differently depending on the nutrient environment and mushroom developmental stage. The gene is particularly active in the mushroom’s stem during growth, suggesting it helps produce beneficial compounds during mushroom development.

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Comparison of Ergosterol and Vitamin D2 in Mushrooms Agaricus bisporus and Cordyceps militaris Using Ultraviolet Irradiation Directly on Dry Powder or in Ethanol Suspension

This study shows that exposing mushroom powder suspended in ethanol to ultraviolet light effectively converts ergosterol (a natural compound in mushrooms) into vitamin D2, which is essential for bone health and immunity. The optimal treatment involves UV-C light exposure for 120 minutes at a specific distance, producing about 15 times more vitamin D2 than direct irradiation of dry mushroom powder. After removing the ethanol, these treated mushrooms could serve as a practical natural source of vitamin D for people with deficiency.

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Research on Development and Challenges of Forest Food Resources from an Industrial Perspective—Alternative Protein Food Industry as an Example

This research examines how forests can provide alternative protein sources including insects, plants, fungi, and lab-grown meat to help feed our growing global population. The market for these forest-based proteins is rapidly expanding, with insect protein reaching USD 3.2 billion in 2023 and plant-based alternatives growing even faster. However, challenges remain including high production costs, consumer skepticism, and varying regulations across countries that must be overcome for these innovations to reach mainstream markets.

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Diversity and functions of fungal VOCs with special reference to the multiple bioactivities of the mushroom alcohol

Fungi release various volatile compounds (VOCs) that have different effects on organisms and the environment. The most notable fungal VOC is 1-octen-3-ol, also called mushroom alcohol, which gives mushrooms their distinctive smell. This compound can inhibit fungal growth, repel insects, and help control plant diseases, but at high concentrations it may be toxic to humans and trigger immune responses. Scientists use fruit flies as a model to study how these fungal compounds affect health.

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Innovative chitin-glucan based material obtained from mycelium of wood decay fungal strains

Researchers have developed a new sustainable leather-like material from fungal mycelium that could replace traditional animal leather and synthetic alternatives. By growing specific wood decay fungi in controlled fermentation systems and extracting their chitin and glucan content, they created flexible sheets with mechanical properties similar to real leather. The materials are biodegradable, require no animal farming, and avoid toxic tanning processes, making them a promising eco-friendly solution for fashion and furniture industries.

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Mycotoxin tolerance affects larval competitive ability in Drosophila recens (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Researchers studied fruit flies that can tolerate mushroom poisons to see if this ability comes with a cost. They found that flies with high poison tolerance from one geographic location showed delayed development and lower survival rates when competing with other larvae, but this effect was not seen in flies from another location. This suggests that the cost of tolerating poisons depends on where the flies are from.

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