Strain typing with ISLpl1 in lactobacilli

Twenty-seven Lactobacillus plantarum ssp. plantarum, 11 Lactobacillus paraplantarum and five Lactobacillus casei-related strains, isolated from various autochthonous Serbian and Montenegro-fermented foods, were identified using phenotypical characterization and current PCR methods based on PCR of the recA gene or the 23S-5S rRNA gene intragenic spacer (IS) region. The strains were genotypically characterized by a new method based on the insertion sequence element ISLpl11 that grouped these lactobacilli into 10 IS-fingerprinting groups. Between six and 23 copies of the ISLpl1 were found in each strain and the ISLpl1-fingerprint groups correlated well with the origin of the strains. The method proved suitable for strain typing of lactic acid bacteria at the infraspecies level

Lekovita svojstva meda sa dodatkom gljive Coriolus versicolor

Biologically active substances from mushroom Coriolus versicolor are ß-glucanproteins which have antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidative properties and improve immunity. Studies have shown that mycelium of this mushroom has two significant biologically active substances PSK (polysaccharide krestin) and PSP (polysaccharide peptide). Honey has been reported to contain about 200 substances (complex mixture of sugars, but also small amounts of other constituents such as minerals, proteins, vitamins, organic acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, enzymes and other phytochemicals), and is considered to be an important part of traditional medicine. Overall, honey serves as a source of natural antioxidants. The aim of this paper was to determined antioxidant activity and tothal phenols content in honey with C. versicolor. Total phenols content (26,04 mg gallic acid/100 g) and high reducing activity it was found in the sample of honey with C. versicolor. The results suggest that the addition of honey with this mushroom has a significantly higher antioxidant activity compared with the most antioxidants such as vitamin C.Biološki aktivne supstance gljive Coriolus versicolor su β-glukan proteini koji imaju antikancerogena, antiviralna, antibakterijska i antioksidativna svojstva i poboljšavju imunitet. Istraživanja su pokazala da micelijum ove gljive sadrži dve značajne biološki aktivne materije: PSK (polisaharid krestin) i PSP (polisaharidpeptid). Med sadrži oko 200 materija (kompleksnu smešu šećera, i manji sadržaj materija kao što su minerali, proteini, vitamini, organske kiseline, flavonoidi, fenolne kiseline, enzimi i druge fitohemijske materije). Med se duži niz godina koristi u tradicionalnoj medicini. Pored toga, med je i prirodni izvor antioksidanasa. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se odredi antioksidativna aktivnost i ukupni sadržaj fenola u medu sa dodatkom gljive C. versicolor. Ukupni sadržaj fenola (26,04 mg galne kiseline/100 g) i visoka redukciona aktivnost određeni su u uzorku meda sa dodatkom gljive C. versicolor. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju da med sa dodatkom ove gljive ima znatno veću antioksidativnu aktivnost u poređenju sa najpoznatijim antioksidansima kao što je vitamin C

Mushroom polyphenols as immune system balancers: What's the mechanism behind it and possible interactions with dietary fibers?

Mushroom polyphenols have been proposed as a new therapy that can improve the immune system. Different immune cells express multiple types of polyphenol receptors that recognize and allow cellular uptake of polyphenols, which subsequently activate signaling pathways to initiate immune responses. Polyphenols can be useful for immunocompromised patients with malignancies, viral or bacterial infections and chronic disorders of organ systems, as well as for those whose immunity is naturally weakened. Cosmetic formulations rich in mushroom polyphenols have the potential to regulate inflammatory skin disorders, as well as eczema or atopic dermatitis and photocarcinogenesis. As primary antioxidants, polyphenols have an important role in preserving immune cells in a reduced environment and in protecting them against oxidative damages and immunosuppression as well as maintaining their suitable function. As signaling pathway modulators, mushroom polyphenols can affect immune cell regulation, cytokine synthesis, and gene expression, in both innate and adaptive immune responses. There are different pathways in the integrated immunomodulatory polyphenol response, such as: 1) the nuclear NF-κB signaling pathway leading to suppression of various inflammatory cytokines expression, and enzymes such as COX-2; 2) MAPK signaling pathways that play a key role in many fundamental cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, death and differentiation, and also regulate gene transcription and the activity of transcription factors involved in inflammation; 3) arachidonic acid signaling pathway leading to a decrease in the release of inflammatory mediators; and 4) the Nrf2 / ARE signaling pathway involved in the activation of genes encoding cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes. Given that polyphenols represent great potential in the design of immune-boosting formulations in line with their widespread structural diversity, it should be noted that some functionality issues require further clarification. For instance different observations and conclusions were reported by the scientists in absence of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis steps. Concerning the dietary application of mushroom polyphenols, it is necessary to mention that after oral consumption they are recognized by the human body as xenobiotics and often a small amount is absorbed in the intestine. Likewise, there are significant differences between the activities of the metabolic form of phenols and their form in the mushroom nutraceutical matrix. For an example, dihydoferulic acid, a metabolite of the ferulic acid, expresses anti-inflammatory activity, opposite to metabolites derived after sulfation and glucuronidation. The scientific focus is on improving and increasing polyphenols bioavailability by designing colloidal systems and using nanosystems. Moreover many studies have found that polyphenols can interact with macromolecules like dietary fibers, i.e. chitin and β-glucans. It has been shown that these interactions can affect the bioaccessibility of polyphenols in a food matrix as well as in nutraceutical formulations. Therefore, chitin and β-glucans have an impact on polyphenols’ immunomodulating activities if they were applied together in commercial formulations. Another disadvantage in the commercialization of polyphenol-based formulations is quantitative and qualitative variations in their content among different mushroom species. As secondary metabolites with a protective role e.g. phenols, their content in mushrooms depends on the locality and environmental conditions of growth. Using extracts or preparations that are based on mycelia grown under controlled conditions may be the solution for the reduction of the natural variability in polyphenol composition. Integrated information on all aspects of functionality will confirm the use of polyphenol-rich mushroom formulations as effective enhancers of immunity

Antioxidants of Edible Mushrooms

Oxidative stress caused by an imbalanced metabolism and an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead to a range of health disorders in humans. Our endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms and our dietary intake of antioxidants potentially regulate our oxidative homeostasis. Numerous synthetic antioxidants can effectively improve defense mechanisms, but because of their adverse toxic effects under certain conditions, preference is given to natural compounds. Consequently, the requirements for natural, alternative sources of antioxidant foods identified in edible mushrooms, as well as the mechanistic action involved in their antioxidant properties, have increased rapidly. Chemical composition and antioxidant potential of mushrooms have been intensively studied. Edible mushrooms might be used directly in enhancement of antioxidant defenses through dietary supplementation to reduce the level of oxidative stress. Wild or cultivated, they have been related to significant antioxidant properties due to their bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, carotenoids and minerals. Antioxidant and health benefits, observed in edible mushrooms, seem an additional reason for their traditional use as a popular delicacy food. This review discusses the consumption of edible mushrooms as a powerful instrument in maintaining health, longevity and life quality

Influence of the extracts isolated from Ganoderma lucidum mushroom on some microorganisms

Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.: Fr) Karst, a mushroom-like fungus is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. It received wide popularity as a healthy food and medicine in the Far East for more than 2000 years because of its high medicinal value. One of very interesting aspects of G. lucidum's performance is antimicrobial effect due to the extracts derived from this mushroom, which contain bacteriolitic enzyme, lysozyme and acid protease. The effects of these extracts depend on their composition extraction mode and refining. Bioactive components isolated from several G. lucidum's strains showed different effects on the investigated microorganisms. In some cases, the influence was very intensive, with inhibitory or stimulating effect, while some of them did not show any influence on the investigated microorganisms

Influence of bioactive compounds extracted from mushroom Ganoderma lucidum on B and T cells

Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.: Fr.) Karst is one of the most often used mushrooms in traditional medicine of Far Eastern people. Because of its bitter taste and wooden build it is not suitable for nutrition, but the bioactive substances extracted from this mushroom possess very important medicinal characteristics. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of isolated Ganoderma lucidum GL-I extract on the growth of JY (B) and Jurkat (T) cells. Obtained extracts were added to the cells in concentrations 1 mg/ml, 100 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 1 ng/ml and 100 pg/ml. JY and Jurkat cells were exposed to the action of bioactive compounds, b-glucans, during the incubation period of 72 h, at 37°C, in the atmosphere with 5% CO2 and their number was counted. Among all tested concentrations of extract the most important influence showed concentration of 1 mg/ml, which reduced the number of B cells by 61.46%, while in the case of T cells their number was reduced by 57.14%

Addition of Zeolites to Improve the Functional Characteristics of the Hen of the Wood or Maitake Medicinal Mushroom, Grifola frondosa (Agaricomycetes)

Kaolinite and the modified natural zeolite minazel plus (M+) were used as supplements in substrate used for the production of the medicinal mushroom Grifola frondosa. Growth stimulation, expressed as yield and biological efficiency, was observed when M+ (1%) was added. The production cycle was shortened by half as a result of the zeolites' ion-exchange ability, stimulation of enzyme activity, and water retain capacity. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry of fruiting bodies showed the absence of heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, and lead), whereas the concentration of calcium increased greatly and the concentrations of iron, magnesium, and zinc increased moderately under the influence of M+. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance showed a positive impact on the β-glucan ratio, which could have been caused by the epimerization reaction stimulated by zeolites. The functionality of the mushroom was evaluated through several antioxidant activity assays, and in all cases a positive effect was established: M+ was statistically more effective in comparison with kaolinite. A strong correlation was established between the antioxidative activity of cultivated fruiting bodies and the tested compounds (total phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and minerals)