An overview of the cultivation and commercialization of the caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis sited in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan forests of Bhutan and Nepal

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a unique entomopathogenic fungus and valuable Chinese medicine resource that has been employed for treating various human conditions. Limited O. sinensis in the wild due to over-exploitation has led it to the brink of extinction. This caused a massive disparity between supply and demand, resulting in skyrocketing prices. The dumping of counterfeit products in the market also caused the need for quality control. In this review, effort has been made to understand the development of O. sinensis and its life cycle, in which the possible cultivation method can be discussed. Additionally, it also summarizes the analytical method for quality control measures in order to ensure the quality of artificially cultivated O. sinensis are on par or even better than the wild. Furthermore, the commercialization of artificially cultivated Cordyceps is lightly touched. Despite these challenges, research into the cultivation of Ophiocordyceps sinensis continues, as it has the potential to provide a sustainable source of the fungus for medicinal purposes. Some pharmaceutical companies have already developed products containing Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and further research may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic applications for the fungus. However, it is important to ensure that the cultivation and commercialization of Ophiocordyceps sinensis is done in an ethical and sustainable manner, to avoid further depletion of the wild populations of the fungus

Metabolic investigation and activity of Cordyceps militaris and cordycepin in cancer cell lines

Inflammation is a normal reaction to infection or injury, but if the process is not resolved, it can lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer and arthritis. The available treatments for chronic inflammation are often insufficient or have unacceptable side effects, leading to a continued search for anti-inflammatory medicines with novel mechanisms of action. Natural sources are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and are re-gaining interest. A common problem with natural medicines and natural compounds is their quality, consistency and purity. In this study, metabolomic analysis of Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr., Cordyceps militaris extract was undertaken and thousands of compounds were identified by untargeted metabolomic analysis. Different batches from one producer were similar but had a somewhat variable cordycepin content and large differences in the cordycepin-potentiating compound pentostatin. There were much larger differences between batches from different suppliers. A comparison of the effects of cordycepin and Cordyceps extracts on inflammation in a macrophage cell line suggested that the extract contained additional activity. Untargeted metabolomics of commercially purified cordycepin (sold as 98% pure) revealed that six different batches had large numbers of significant contaminants, which were similar between suppliers. Remarkably, the batches of cordycepin differed in their cordycepin content as well as their potency. Some of the contaminants were tested in tissue culture for effects on inflammation, but many were commercially not available or even not fully identifiable. Pentostatin was also detected in cordycepin preparations. These data suggest that the reported biological activity of cordycepin may not be due to the presence of this compound alone

Metabolic investigation and activity of Cordyceps militaris and cordycepin in cancer cell lines

Inflammation is a normal reaction to infection or injury, but if the process is not resolved, it can lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer and arthritis. The available treatments for chronic inflammation are often insufficient or have unacceptable side effects, leading to a continued search for anti-inflammatory medicines with novel mechanisms of action. Natural sources are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and are re-gaining interest. A common problem with natural medicines and natural compounds is their quality, consistency and purity. In this study, metabolomic analysis of Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr., Cordyceps militaris extract was undertaken and thousands of compounds were identified by untargeted metabolomic analysis. Different batches from one producer were similar but had a somewhat variable cordycepin content and large differences in the cordycepin-potentiating compound pentostatin. There were much larger differences between batches from different suppliers. A comparison of the effects of cordycepin and Cordyceps extracts on inflammation in a macrophage cell line suggested that the extract contained additional activity. Untargeted metabolomics of commercially purified cordycepin (sold as 98% pure) revealed that six different batches had large numbers of significant contaminants, which were similar between suppliers. Remarkably, the batches of cordycepin differed in their cordycepin content as well as their potency. Some of the contaminants were tested in tissue culture for effects on inflammation, but many were commercially not available or even not fully identifiable. Pentostatin was also detected in cordycepin preparations. These data suggest that the reported biological activity of cordycepin may not be due to the presence of this compound alone

Marine Polysaccharides Volume 1

The field of marine polysaccharides is constantly evolving, due to progress in the discovery and production of new marine polysaccharides. Seaweed remains the most abundant source of polysaccharides, but recent advances in biotechnology have allowed the production of large quantities of polysaccharides from a variety of micro-algae, by controlling growth conditions and tailoring the production of bioactive compounds in a bioreactor. Of particular interest are polysaccharides produced by micro-organisms from extreme marine environments, due to their recognized different biochemistry. Extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) with unique properties produced by a number of micro-algae are known. The first volume is a collection of papers concerning the identification and characterization of novel marine polysaccharides. It is divided into three chapters; the first two are dedicated to polysaccharides from different marine sources (algae, micro-algae, animals), while the third one gathers information on the isolation, characterization and bioactivity of new EPSs

Protein Structure

Since the dawn of recorded history, and probably even before, men and women have been grasping at the mechanisms by which they themselves exist. Only relatively recently, did this grasp yield anything of substance, and only within the last several decades did the proteins play a pivotal role in this existence. In this expose on the topic of protein structure some of the current issues in this scientific field are discussed. The aim is that a non-expert can gain some appreciation for the intricacies involved, and in the current state of affairs. The expert meanwhile, we hope, can gain a deeper understanding of the topic

Fungi and Fungal Metabolites for the Improvement of Human and Animal Nutrition and Health

The purpose of this book was not to provide a comprehensive overview of the vast arena of how fungi and fungal metabolites are able to improve human and animal nutrition and health; rather, we, as Guest Editors, wished to encourage authors working in this field to publish their most recent work in this rapidly growing journal in order for the large readership to appreciate the full potential of wonderful and beneficial fungi. Thus, this Special Issue welcomed scientific contributions on applications of fungi and fungal metabolites, such as bioactive fatty acids, pigments, polysaccharides, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc., with great potential in human and animal nutrition and health

Mushrooms as a source of high-value bioactive molecules: conversion of ergosterol into vitamin D2, extraction, stabilisation, and a study using bakery products

[ES] Son numerosos los factores que contribuyen a la existencia de riesgo de déficit de vitamina D en la población europea. Este déficit favorece una menor absorción de calcio y fosfato, lo que puede causar varios trastornos de salud graves. Los alimentos naturales (no enriquecidos), por sí mismos, rara vez proporcionan suficiente vitamina D para prevenir el déficit, por lo que alimentos enriquecidos con vitamina D y/o suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir la carencia cuando la exposición al sol es inadecuada. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los suplementos disponibles utilizan vitamina D que proviene de fuentes sintéticas, por lo que disponer de vitamina D de una fuente natural sería una alternativa para superar los problemas que conlleva el uso de aditivos sintéticos y contribuiría a proporcionar beneficios para la salud. En este sentido, la industria alimentaria está constantemente buscando ingredientes de fuentes naturales debido a sus propiedades multifuncionales, eficacia competitiva y efectos de menor toxicidad. Los hongos han sido una parte esencial de nuestra dieta durante muchos años debido a su rico contenido nutricional y abundancia en biomoléculas, específicamente ergosterol, una provitamina D2. Sin embargo, es necesario llegar a un número más significativo de individuos, por lo que, a la hora de pensar en un grupo de alimentos candidatos a la fortificación, es necesario elegir una matriz alimentaria como los cereales, principalmente el trigo, consumida por un gran porcentaje de la población mundial, y cuya harina se utiliza para desarrollar muchos productos alimenticios en todo el mundo. A lo largo de esta tesis se han propuesto alternativas para solventar alguna de las cuestiones arriba planteadas. Así, con el objetivo de obtener vitamina D de una fuente natural (hongos - vitamina D2) ha sido necesario desarrollar varias metodologías, desde la producción de hongos hasta la obtención de vitamina D2. Después de obtener la vitamina D2 su estabilización también es esencial, por lo que se han desarrollado metodologías de encapsulación para asegurar que se mantienen sus propiedades cuando se incorpora al producto final. Por otra parte, asumiendo que la vitamina D es esencial para muchas funciones en el organismo, pero principalmente para los huesos, fue necesario validar el concepto de que la vitamina D2 promueve la absorción de calcio. El trabajo llevado a cabo en la presente Tesis doctoral muestra que es posible obtener y estabilizar la vitamina D2 natural de los hongos e incorporarla a una matriz de harina utilizando tecnologías innovadoras de extracción, irradiación y encapsulación. Por otra parte, con el fin de maximizar los compuestos bioactivos presentes en los hongos, se ha realizado un estudio para complementar los sustratos donde se cultivan los hongos con silicato de calcio. Esta suplementación se ha relacionado con una mayor resistencia contra las plagas de insectos. Sin embargo, pocos estudios muestran el impacto de esta suplementación en los diferentes parámetros agronómicos de los hongos de ostra (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida) o incluso su composición química y bioactividad (actividades antioxidantes, antibacterianas y antifúngicas)

Advances in mycotechnology : bioprospection of native macrofungi strains, molecular identification and cryopreservation of mycelia, production of antioxidant enzymes, bioprocessing of organic residues and bioprocesses automation and control using free hardware and software

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Carlos Ricardo SoccolTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia. Defesa : Curitiba, 29/05/2014Inclui referências: p.211-252Resumo: A presente tese de doutorado abrange múltiplas contribuições para o desenvolvimento da micotecnologia. Aproximadamente 70 tentativas de isolamento foram realizadas e pelo menos 15 cepas estáveis foram obtidas. Quatro destas culturas foram identificadas com base no sequenciamento de regiões ITS. Foram desenvolvidos novos métodos para criopreservação de micélios, utilizando vermiculite como suporte. Pelo menos 12 cepas foram reativadas após 12 meses de armazenamento, usando estas técnicas. Duas destas cepas foram avaliadas e mantiveram inalteradas a taxa de crescimento radial (0.58±0.38 cm/ dia) e o rendimento de exopolissacarídeos (250±110 mg/ L). Alguns fatores foram avaliados no cultivo de espécies do gênero Pleurotus, utilizando resíduos de pupunha como substrato. A fração externa do resíduo se mostrou excessivamente ácida (pH 3,21±0,15) para o crescimento micelial. P. ostreatus (1,38±0,16 cm/dia) e P. djamor (1,38±0,1 cm/dia) se adaptaram bem à fração interna do substrato. Taxas de inoculação altas (40%) e maior número de furos (4) produziram aumentos significativos (50%) na concentração protéica dos carpóforos. O processamento de resíduos de pupunha por cultivo micelial melhorou a qualidade deste material como fertilizante para o cultivo de alfaces (até 40% de aumento na produtividade). A cinética de produção das enzimas SOD (superóxido dismutase) e CAT (catalase) foi determinada para o cultivo submerso de P. ostreatus (PO). Seis substâncias foram testadas como indutores destas duas enzimas. Sulfonato de lignina 10 g/L resultou em um aumento na atividade de SOD de 700%. A atividade de CAT aumentou em 46% com a adição de H2O2 90mM. Duas cepas de P. ostreatus (PO e PL24) e três de outras espécies: P. djamor (PD), P. eryngii (PE) e P. pulmonarius (PP) foram comparadas quanto à produção de SOD e CAT em cultivo submerso. PD e PO apresentaram mais que o dobro da atividade de SOD das outras cepas testadas. As atividades de CAT de PE, PL24 e PP foram aproximadamente 59% mais altas que as de PO. PD apresentou atividade de CAT praticamente nula. As mesmas três isoformas de SOD foram encontradas em todas as cepas avaliadas. Técnicas para a recuperação do sulfonato de lignina foram desenvolvidas para purificação parcial de SOD para as análises zimográficas. Este objetivo foi alcançado, mantendo aproximadamente 33% da atividade enzimática inicial. Finalmente, foram desenvolvidos aparatos para cultivo micelial submerso. Hardware e software livres foram utilizados para construir protótipos de biorreatores com sistemas de automação e controle. Um controlador de fotoperíodo, um dispositivo termostático e um sistema de inferência da concentração de biomassa on-line, baseado na absorção de laser, foram projetados, programados e construídos. Espera-se que os avanços propostos contribuam para o desenvolvimento de novos processos, permitindo a obtenção de produtos que tragam benefícios à saúde e à qualidade de vida da população. Palavras-chave: cogumelos. antioxidantes. SOD. CAT. automação.Abstract: The present doctorate thesis covers multiple contributions for the development of mycotechnology. Approximately 70 isolation trials were performed and at least 15 stable strains were obtained. Four of these cultures were identified based in ITS regions sequencing. New methods for mycelia cryopreservation were developed, with the use of vermiculite as a carrier material. At least 12 strains were reactivated after twelve months of storage, using these techniques. Two of these strains were evaluated and kept metabolic characteristics unaltered, such as radial growth rate (0.58±0.38 cm/ day) and exopolysaccharide yield (250±110 mg/ L). Several factors were evaluated in the cultivation of some species of the Pleurotus genus, using pejibaye palm sheath residues as substrate. The external fraction of the residue proved excessively acid (pH 3,21±0,15) for mycelial growth. P. ostreatus (1,38±0,16 cm/day) and P. djamor (1,38±0,1 cm/day) adapted well to the internal fraction of the substrate. High levels of both inoculum rate (40%) and number of holes (4) produced significative increases in the protein content (50% increase) of the carpophores. The processing of pejibaye residues by mushrooms cultivation, improved its quality as fertilizer for lettuce cultivation (up to 40% increase in lettuce yield). The production kinetics of the antioxidant enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase) by the submerged mycelial cultivation of P. ostreatus (PO strain) were determined. Six substances were evaluated as inducers of these two enzymes. Lignin sulfonate was the best SOD inducer and hydrogen peroxide was the best CAT inducer. Lignin sulfonate 10 g/L increased SOD activity in approximately 700%. H2O2 90 mM increased CAT activity in up to 46%. Two P. ostreatus strains (PO and PL24) and three other species - P. djamor (PD), P. eryngii (PE) and P. pulmonarius (PP) - were compared in respect to SOD and CAT production by submerged cultivation. PD and PO presented more than double the SOD activity than the other assayed strains. PE, PL24 and PP CAT activities were about 59% higher than that of PO. PD showed virtually no measurable CAT activity. The same three isoforms were detected for these five strains. Lignin sulfonate recovering techniques were developed in order to partially purificate SOD sufficiently for zymographic methods. This objective was accomplished, maintaining nearly 33% of the enzymatic activity of the product. Finally, apparatuses for macromycetes mycelia submerged cultivation were developed. Free hardware and software were used for building bioreactors prototypes with automation and control systems. A photoperiod controller, a thermostatic device and an on-line biomass concentration estimation system, based in laser absorption were designed, programmed and built. It is expected that the proposed advances can contribute for new processes development, allowing the obtention of products that are intended to bring health benefits and improvements in populations' life quality. Keywords: mushrooms. antioxidants. SOD. CAT. automation

Abstracts of Papers, 93rd Session, Iowa Academy of Science, April 24-25, 1981

Presentation abstracts from the annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Sciencehttps://scholarworks.uni.edu/ias_docs/1049/thumbnail.jp