Fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. – a new source of water-insoluble (1→3)-α-d-glucan

A water-insoluble polysaccharide (WIP) was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus HE01 by an alkaline solution with the yield of 5%. Structural and compositional analyses by total acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, FT-IR, FT-Raman, and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as other instrumental techniques showed predominantly glucose linked by α-glycosidic bonds and small amounts of mannose, xylose, rhamnose, galactose, and ribose. The methylation analysis showed that (1→3)-linked Glcp is the major constituent (70.8%) of the polymer, while the 3,4 substituted d-Glcp represents the main branching residue of the glucan. The presence of (1→3)-α-d-glucan in the hyphae of H. erinaceus was additionally confirmed by the use of specific fluorophore-labeled antibodies

Evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyl degradation through refuse from Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus production

White rot fungi (WRF) are known to have the ability to degrade organic pollutants with a structure similar to lignin. Because of this, the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners no. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180 by substrate before fruiting (substrate) and/or after fruiting (SMS) from cultivated mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus was examined. The experiment was carried out in four replications for each treatment using a mixture of substrate/SMS and sandy soil with PCBs at a concentration of each congener at 50 and 100 μg kg−1 soil DW. The results indicate that degradation was dependent on substrate/SMS addition, the concentration of PCBs and time of incubation. The efficiency of PCB degradation was generally reduced with the number of chlorine atoms in the structure of congeners: 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 or 180. In all combinations, degradation increased with incubation time. Degradation by SMS was lower in comparison to degradation by a substrate of the same mushroom. The degree of degradation of a single PCB after 12 weeks of incubation for A. bisporus ranged from 31.32 ± 1.52 to 83.91 ± 1.07%, while for P. ostreatus it was between 37.88 ± 2.54 and 78.29 ± 1.41%; for L. edodes it ranged from 17.38 ± 1.06 to 75.30 ± 1.46%. The best average degradation was confirmed for 20% SMS of A. bisporus at 50 μg kg−1 PCB

Composition, nutritional value and medicinal properties of wild mushrooms

Grzyby dziko rosnące są powszechnie dostępne w Polsce. Mogą być cennym uzupełnieniem diety ze względu na zawartość łatwo przyswajalnych aminokwasów, minerałów, witamin i błonnika. Wiele gatunków zawiera również substancje biologicznie aktywne, mające zastosowanie w przeciwdziałaniu i leczeniu chorób cywilizacyjnych, w tym nowotworów i chorób serca. Związki czynne zawarte w owocnikach mają dolność obniżania poziomu cukru i cholesterolu we krwi oraz wykazują działanie przeciwzapalne, antybakteryjne, antywirusowe i antyoksydacyjne. Pewnym zagrożeniem, wynikającym ze spożycia grzybów, może być zawartość w owocnikach metali ciężkich, spowodowana ich wysoką bioakumulacją. Dlatego istotne jest, aby nie zbierać grzybów w miejscach skażonych oraz przestrzegać dopuszczalnych ilości ich jednorazowego spożycia. Z pewnymi ograniczeniami, dotyczącymi określonych grup ludności, grzyby mogą być rekomendowane jako żywność prozdrowotna.Wild mushrooms are widely available in Polish forests. They can be a valuable supplement to the diet because of the content of easily digestible amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fiber. Many species also contain biologically active substances, useful in the prevention and treatment of serious diseases, including cancer and heart diseases. Active compounds contained in the carpophores have the ability to lower blood sugar and blood cholesterol, and exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties. Some danger connected with the consumption of wild mushrooms, is the content of heavy metals in the carpophores, due to their high bioaccumulation. Therefore it is important not to collect mushrooms from polluted areas, and not to exceed the permitted amount of their consumption. Wild mushrooms can be recommended as a functional food with certain limitations relating to specific groups of population