Fungal Species:  Lentinus edodes

Fungal Drug Discovery for Chronic Disease: History, New Discoveries and New Approaches

This article examines how fungi have provided humanity with some of the most important medicines ever created, including penicillin, drugs that prevent organ rejection, and cholesterol-lowering statins. Many of these fungal compounds work as medicines because they target processes that are similar in both fungi and humans, helping them survive competition with other fungi while coincidentally treating human diseases. New researchers are now using modern genetic tools to discover additional fungal medicines, with several promising candidates currently being tested in clinical trials for cancer, depression, and other chronic diseases.

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Suitability of maize crop residue fermented by Pleurotus ostreatus as feed for edible crickets: growth performance, micronutrient content, and iron bioavailability

Researchers tested whether crickets could be raised on inexpensive mushroom-fermented corn stalks as an alternative to costly grain feeds. While the fermented stalks made iron more absorbable by the human body, the crickets actually grew worse on this feed compared to unfermented stalks. The study suggests that combining mushroom and cricket farming, while theoretically appealing for sustainability, may not work well in practice due to poor cricket survival and growth on spent mushroom substrate.

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Chromosome-Scale Genome and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Differential Regulation of Terpenoid Secondary Metabolites in Hericium coralloides

Researchers sequenced the complete genome of Hericium coralloides, an edible medicinal mushroom, at the chromosome level for the first time. They identified genes responsible for producing terpenoids, which are beneficial compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. The study found that these beneficial compounds are produced in higher amounts in the mushroom’s mycelium (root-like structure) compared to fruiting bodies, which could help optimize mushroom cultivation for medicinal use.

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Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Powder on the Growth Performance, Immune Organ Weights, Cecal Microbiology, Serum Immunoglobulins, and Tibia Minerals of Broiler Chickens

Researchers tested whether powdered Ganoderma lucidum mushroom could replace antibiotic growth promoters in chicken farming. The study found that adding 0.2% mushroom powder to chicken feed improved weight gain and feed efficiency similar to antibiotics, while also promoting beneficial gut bacteria. The mushroom powder was safe and did not cause any disease, making it a promising natural alternative to antibiotics in poultry production.

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Biologically active secondary metabolites from white-rot fungi

White-rot fungi are special mushrooms that can break down wood and produce unique chemical compounds with amazing health benefits. These compounds have been found to fight cancer, kill harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and protect nerve cells. Scientists are excited about using these natural fungal compounds to create new medicines and treat various diseases in the future.

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Screening and identifying natural products with SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibitory activity from medicinal fungi

Researchers screened 167 extracts from 36 medicinal fungi to find natural compounds that could fight COVID-19. They discovered that certain fungi, particularly Inonotus obliquus and Pholiota adiposa, contain polysaccharides that effectively block the virus from infecting cells. These natural compounds showed promise as potential safe alternatives for developing new COVID-19 treatments and may have applications against other viral diseases.

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Enhancement of polysaccharides production using microparticle enhanced technology by Paraisaria dubia

Researchers developed a new method to produce medicinal polysaccharides from a Cordyceps fungus using tiny talc particles to improve fermentation. By adding the right amount and size of talc particles, they were able to produce significantly more polysaccharides with beneficial health properties. The method works well in large-scale bioreactors and could be used to produce these valuable medicinal compounds more efficiently.

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Polysaccharides from fungi: A review on their extraction, purification, structural features, and biological activities

Mushrooms contain special compounds called polysaccharides that have powerful health benefits. Scientists have found these polysaccharides can help fight cancer, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and manage diabetes. This review explains different ways to extract and purify these beneficial compounds from mushrooms and describes how they work in the body to provide these health benefits.

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Efficient conversion of tea residue nutrients: Screening and proliferation of edible fungi

Researchers developed an environmentally friendly method to convert tea waste into nutritious fungal protein using edible mushrooms. By testing six different fungal species, they found that Monascus kaoliang B6 was most efficient at breaking down the complex fiber structures in tea residue and converting them into fungal biomass. This sustainable process eliminates the need for chemical treatments and harsh conditions, turning agricultural waste into valuable food ingredients.

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