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.
Scientists studied the mitochondrial DNA of an edible mushroom species found only in Yunnan, China, called Thelephora ganbajun. They discovered that these mushrooms have unusual genetic diversity in their mitochondria, with multiple different versions of certain genes coexisting within individual organisms. This genetic flexibility appears to be an adaptation that helps the species survive in diverse environmental conditions and prevents the accumulation of harmful mutations.
This research developed a quick and accurate DNA-based test to verify if food supplements actually contain genuine Maitake mushroom as claimed on their labels. The test can detect very small amounts of Maitake DNA and distinguish it from other mushroom species, helping prevent fraud in the supplement industry. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps consumers know they are getting genuine Maitake supplements they paid for • Protects against fraudulent or mislabeled mushroom products in the marketplace • Enables better quality control throughout the supplement production process • Makes testing of supplements faster and more reliable • Could lead to similar tests for other valuable mushroom supplements