Fungal Species: Ganoderma lucidum

Exploring Psilocybe spp. mycelium and fruiting body chemistry for potential therapeutic compounds

Scientists studied magic mushrooms at different growth stages to understand their chemical makeup. They found that mature mushroom caps contain high levels of psilocybin (the psychedelic compound) but the root-like mycelium contains different beneficial compounds like ergothioneine and choline. This suggests mycelium could be developed as a therapeutic product without the psychedelic effects, potentially offering health benefits while avoiding the mind-altering properties.

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Fungal and Microalgal Chitin: Structural Differences, Functional Properties, and Biomedical Applications

Chitin is a natural fiber found in mushrooms, algae, and shellfish that has many medical and industrial uses. Traditional chitin from shellfish shells has environmental and contamination problems, so scientists are studying chitin from mushrooms and algae as cleaner alternatives. These sources produce chitin with different structures that can be better for certain medical applications, and can be extracted using environmentally friendly methods.

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Impact of Phellinus gilvus mycelia on growth, immunity and fecal microbiota in weaned piglets

Researchers tested whether a medicinal mushroom called Phellinus gilvus could replace antibiotics in pig feed as a growth promoter. Over 28 days, piglets fed mushroom-supplemented diets grew as well as those given antibiotics while showing even better immune system activation. Unlike antibiotics that drastically changed the gut bacteria composition, the mushroom only slightly modified it while still reducing harmful E. coli bacteria. This suggests the mushroom could be a safer alternative to antibiotics in pig farming.

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PRMT5 promotes cellulase production by regulating the expression of cellulase gene eg2 through histone methylation in Ganoderma lucidum

Scientists discovered that a protein called PRMT5 in Ganoderma lucidum mushroom plays a key role in producing cellulase enzymes that break down plant cellulose. By controlling a specific gene (eg2) through a process called histone methylation, PRMT5 increases cellulase production. This finding could help develop more efficient ways to convert agricultural waste like corn straw into useful sugars for biofuels and other industrial products.

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You Are What You Eat: How Fungal Adaptation Can Be Leveraged toward Myco-Material Properties

Fungi can be grown to create eco-friendly materials that could replace plastics and petroleum-based products. By controlling what fungi eat and where they grow, scientists can engineer the properties of these materials to be stronger, more flexible, or water-resistant. This approach leverages the natural ability of fungi to break down organic matter and adapt to their environment. Companies like IKEA and Dell are already using these fungal materials in product packaging.

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Identifying the “Mushroom of Immortality”: Assessing the Ganoderma Species Composition in Commercial Reishi Products

Researchers tested 37 reishi mushroom products and kits sold in the United States and found that most were mislabeled. While products claimed to contain Ganoderma lucidum, over 93% of manufactured products actually contained Ganoderma lingzhi, a different Asian species. The study discovered that 86% of products tested contained something other than what the label claimed, which matters because different Ganoderma species have different chemical compositions and potentially different health benefits.

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Flammulina velutipes stem regulates oxidative damage and synthesis of yolk precursors in aging laying hens by regulating the liver–blood–ovary axis

This study shows that adding golden needle mushroom stems to the feed of aging laying hens improves egg production by reducing oxidative damage and boosting reproductive hormones. The mushroom stem, normally a waste product, works through a liver-ovary signaling pathway to enhance the production of yolk-building proteins and improve the quality and number of developing eggs. The treatment was particularly effective at doses of 4-6% supplementation and also had beneficial side effects like reducing abdominal fat and improving eggshell thickness.

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Isolation and Identification of Chemical Compounds from Agaricus blazei Murrill and Their In Vitro Antifungal Activities

Researchers extracted and identified six chemical compounds from A. blazei mushrooms and tested their ability to fight fungal infections. The compounds showed promising activity against common fungal pathogens that cause infections in humans. This research suggests that A. blazei could be developed into natural antifungal treatments. The findings add to growing evidence that medicinal mushrooms contain valuable bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential.

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Ganoderma lucidum inspired silver nanoparticles and its biomedical applications with special reference to drug resistant Escherichia coli isolates from CAUTI

Researchers created tiny silver particles using a medicinal mushroom called Ganoderma lucidum to fight dangerous bacteria that resist antibiotics and are associated with urinary catheter infections. These nanoparticles were found to effectively kill drug-resistant bacteria, work as antioxidants better than a common antioxidant standard, and showed promise in killing breast cancer cells. This eco-friendly approach offers a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics for treating serious antibiotic-resistant infections.

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A New Exopolysaccharide from a Wood-Decaying Fungus Spongipellis borealis for a Wide Range of Biotechnological Applications

Researchers isolated and studied a new polysaccharide from the wood-decaying mushroom Spongipellis borealis. This polysaccharide is composed mainly of glucose, galactose, and mannose sugars and acts as a natural stabilizer for important enzymes used in biotechnology. When this polysaccharide is added to enzyme preparations, it significantly improves their stability and performance under various conditions, making it promising for industrial and medical applications.

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