Edible, medicinal wild mushrooms: A study in Estado de México

Objective: To identify wild edible mushrooms with medicinal use in the State of Mexico. Design/methodology/approximation: From the bibliographic review of local ethnomicological inventories, visits to weekly markets, semi-structured interviews to mushrooms sellers, and the collection and their taxonomic determination; information was obtained on aspects of nomenclature, local knowledge and cultural importance of mushrooms with medicinal use in the state of Mexico. Results: A list of 36 species of wild edible mushrooms with medicinal use was obtained, which are used in 11 categories, mainly in diseases of digestive and circulatory systems. Limitations/implications: This is a descriptive and exploratory investigation of edible mushrooms with medicinal use; therefore, it is necessary to incorporate more empirical and scientific evidence provided by other similar cases.Findings/conclusions: Limited knowledge of fungal species with medicinal use is presented, which implies that it is an underutilized resource by its inhabitants. Lycoperdon perlatum and Lactarius indigo were mentioned with the greatest number of medicinal uses.Objective: To identify edible mushroom species with medicinal uses in Estado de México.Design/Methodology/Approach: Based on the bibliographic review of local ethnomycological inventories, weeklymarket visits, semi-structured interviews with vendors, and the collection and taxonomic identification of mushrooms, information was gained regarding medicinal mushroom nomenclature, local knowledge and cultural importance.Results: A list of 36 edible mushroom species was compiled, which can be divided into 11 categories of use, mainly in treating digestive and circulatory illnesses.Study Limitations/Implications: This is a descriptive and exploratory study of edible mushrooms with medicinal uses, and therefore it is necessary to include more empirical and scientific evidence from other similar cases.Findings/Conclusions: There is limited knowledge on medicinal fungi species, implying that they are underexploited asa resource among local inhabitants. Lycoperdon perlatum and Lactarius indigo were cited as having the highest quantityof medicinal uses

Mycelial growth of the edible wild mushrooms Floccularia luteovirens in different culture mediums and pH

Objective: To evaluate the mycelial growth and biomass production of F. luteovirens in different media of culture and pH values. Design/methodology/approximation: The investigation was carried out in two stages, in the first one the quantification of biomass production and growth rate in five general culture media was quantified. In the second, three of the five media were chosen by adjusting the pH to 4, 5 and 6, to increase the biomass and growth rate presented in the first stage. Results: pH is an influential factor in the availability of nutrients for the mushrooms, reflected in the increase or inhibition of mycelial growth and biomass production. During the first stage, the Coconut Agar and Malt Extract Agar were the most favorable means for mycelial development, while the Corn Agar was the least favorable. When the pH was modified, the Malt Extract Agar with pH 4 was the most efficient medium in terms of growth rate while the Coconut Agar had the highest biomass production at the different pH. Limitations and implications: Growth in vitro culture is slow in relation to another fungal species. Findings/conclusions: The cultivation of Floccularia luteovirens represents an alternative for obtaining food of high nutritional value, safeguarding germplasm and increase and diversification of cultivated species; this due to the edible use, high nutritional content and medicinal properties.Objectives: To evaluate mycelial growth and biomass production of F. luteovirens in different culture mediums and pH values.Design/methods/approach: The study was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the amount of biomass produced and growth rate was measured in five generalist culture mediums. During the second stage, the pH was adjusted to 4, 5, and 6 in three of the five mediums, in order to increase biomass and growth speed shown in the first stage.Results: pH is an influential factor in the availability of nutrients needed by the fungus, which is shown by the increase or inhibition of mycelial growth and biomass production. During the first stage, coconut and malt extract agar were the most favorable for mycelial development, while corn meal agar was the least favorable. When the pH was modified, malt extract agar with a pH of 4 was the most efficient in terms of growth rate, while coconut agar demonstrated the most biomass production regardless of pH.Study limitations and implications: The growth of cultures in vitro is slow when compared with other mushrooms species.Findings/Conclusions: Floccularia luteovirens cultivation represents an alternative to obtain food with a high nutritionalvalue, safeguard germplasm, and increase and diversify species cultivated; since it is edible, with high nutritional contentand has medicinal properties