Iron Bioaccumulation in Mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus
This research explored how oyster mushroom mycelium can be used to create iron-enriched food products. Scientists found that the fungal cells could concentrate iron up to 20 times higher than their growing environment, potentially offering a new way to produce iron-rich vegetarian foods. Impact on everyday life: – Provides a new vegetarian source of dietary iron – Could help address widespread iron deficiency, especially in developing countries – Offers a controlled way to produce nutrient-enriched fungal ingredients – Demonstrates potential for creating functional foods using mushroom mycelium – Shows promise for sustainable production of mineral-enriched food ingredients