Biofortification of Three Cultivated Mushroom Species with Three Iron Salts-Potential for a New Iron-Rich Superfood.

Mushrooms fortified with iron (Fe) can offer a promising alternative to counter the worldwide deficiency problem. However, the factors that may influence the efficiency of fortification have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three Fe forms (FeCl3 6H2O, FeSO4 7H2O, or FeHBED) in three concentrations (5, 10, or 50 mM) for three mushroom species (Pleurotus eryngii, P. ostreatus, or Pholiota nameko) on their chemical composition, phenolic compounds, and organic acid production. The most effective metal accumulation of all the investigated species was for the 50 mM addition. FeCl3 6H2O was the most favorable additive for P. eryngii and P. nameko (up to 145 and 185% Fe more than in the control, respectively) and FeHBED for P. ostreatus (up to 108% Fe more than in control). Additionally, P. nameko showed the highest Fe accumulation among studied species (89.2 ± 7.51 mg kg-1 DW). The creation of phenolic acids was generally inhibited by Fe salt supplementation. However, an increasing effect on phenolic acid concentration was observed for P. ostreatus cultivated at 5 mM FeCl3 6H2O and for P. eryngii cultivated at 5 mM FeCl3 6H2O and 5 mM FeSO4 7H2O. In the case of organic acids, a similar situation was observed. For P. ostreatus, FeSO4 7H2O and FeHBED salts increased the formation of the determined organic acids in fruiting bodies. P. eryngii and P. nameko were characterized by a much lower content of organic acids in the systems supplemented with Fe. Based on the obtained results, we recommend starting fortification by preliminarily indicating which form of the element is preferred for the species of interest for supplementation. It also seems that using an additive concentration of 50 mM or higher is most effective.

Influence of Iron Addition (Alone or with Calcium) to Elements Biofortification and Antioxidants in Pholiota nameko.

Mushrooms supplementation with iron (Fe) is usually limited, and therefore it would be beneficial to search for other vital elements able to improve the process. The aim of this study was to verify a possible interaction between Fe and calcium (Ca) to estimate the role of the addition of the latter metal to stimulate Fe accumulation in Pholiota nameko. Additionally, an analysis of phenolic compounds and low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) was performed. The increase of Fe concentration in the substrate caused a significantly higher accumulation of this metal in P. nameko. The addition of Ca (5 or 10 mM) stimulated Fe accumulation, just as Fe concentration in the substrate stimulated Ca accumulation, which pointed to a synergism between these metals. The obtained results show that the presence of Fe in the substrate may also promote K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and S accumulation. In contrast, the addition of Ca stimulates and/or inhibits their content in fruit bodies. The phenolic and organic acids profile was poor. Only gallic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, sinapic and syringic acids (phenolics), as well as citric and succinic acids (LMWOAs), were quantified in some combinations in P. nameko fruiting bodies.

The effect of drying temperature on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Leccinum scabrum (Bull.) Gray and Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers.

In the study the effect of drying temperature on phenolic and organic acid content, total phenolic content, ergosterol content, antioxidant activity and content of 40 elements in fruiting bodies of Leccinum scabrum and Hericium erinaceus was estimated. The analysis was performed for fresh fruiting bodies and those dried at 20, 40 and 70 °C. Drying resulted in changes in the profile of phenolic and organic acids. Drying generally resulted in losses of the content of total phenolics, ergosterol and antioxidant activity in both species. However, a reduction and an increase of phenolic acids and organic acids were observed. The greatest reduction of the compounds was generally observed at 70 °C. The greatest losses concerned organic acids (some single components and total) (even more than 90% of some compounds). The inhibition of free radicals decreased in the following order: fresh samples > air-dried samples > samples dried at 40 °C > samples dried at 70 °C. The drying temperature affected only selected element contents in fruiting bodies.

The Effect of Mushroom Extracts on Human Platelet and Blood Coagulation: In vitro Screening of Eight Edible Species.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading global cause of mortality indicating the need to identify all possible factors reducing primary and secondary risk. This study screened the in vitro antiplatelet and anticoagulant activities of hot water extracts of eight edible mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Auricularia auricularia-judae, Coprinus comatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus ostreatus) increasingly cultivated for human consumption, and compared them to those evoked by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The antioxidant capacity and concentration of polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, organic acids, ergosterol, macro elements, and trace elements were also characterized. The most promising antiplatelet effect was exhibited by A. auricularia-judae and P. eryngii extracts as demonstrated by the highest rate of inhibition of adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced aggregation. The response to both extracts exceeded the one evoked by 140 µmol/L of ASA in the ADP test and was comparable to it in the case of the AA test. Such a dual effect was also observed for G. lucidum extract, even though it was proven to be cytotoxic in platelets and leukocytes. The extract of P. ostreatus revealed an additive effect on AA-induced platelet aggregation. None of the mushroom extracts altered the monitored coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, prothrombin ratio, and International Normalized Ratio). The effect of mushroom extracts on platelet function was positively related to their antioxidative properties and concentration of polysaccharides and ergosterol, and inversely related to zinc concentration. The study suggests that selected mushrooms may exert favorable antiplatelet effects, highlighting the need for further experimental and clinical research in this regard.

Relation between polyphenols, malondialdehyde, antioxidant capacity, lactate dehydrogenase and toxic elements in human colostrum milk.

The present study investigated the interrelationships between the concentration of total polyphenols (TP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) and content of toxic elements (Al, As, Cd, Ni, Pb) in human colostrum milk (n = 75), and further assessed their potential association with maternal lifestyle characteristics. As and Cd were always below detection limits while Al, Ni and Pb were found at the level of 89.7, 6.2 and 1.3 µg L-1, respectively. Concentrations of TP and MDA, in the studied group were 46.91 ± 21.25 mg GAE L-1 and 0.66 ± 0.27 nmol mL-1, respectively, and were inversely correlated (Rs = -0.32; p < 0.01). TP and TAC increased significantly with maternal consumption of vegetables (Rs = 0.25 and Rs = 0.37, respectively; p < 0.05). Concentration of Al was positively correlated with MDA (Rs = 0.21; p < 0.01) and negatively with TP (Rs = -0.28; p < 0.01). Positive correlation was also found between Pb and MDA (Rs = 0.32; p < 0.01). No association with place of living (urban/rural), women's age and former smoking were found for any studied milk parameter. The results add to the general understanding of factors influencing redox balance in milk and potentially affecting its quality.

Copper and nickel co-treatment alters metal uptake and stress parameters of Salix purpurea×viminalis.

Simultaneous treatment of Salix purpurea×viminalis with copper (Cu2+) and nickel (Ni2+) altered metal phytoextraction rates in favor of leaves. Still, metal translocation patters remained unaffected (roots≈rods>>leaves≥shoots), reaching ∼20 and 14.5mgkg-1 dry weight in roots for Cu and Ni, respectively. Biometric parameters revealed overall growth inhibition correlated with Cu content in leaves, thus proving its negative effect on photosynthesis. Metal toxicity was strongly affirmed in the case of roots (∼90% loss of root biomass at 3mM), rather than in the above-ground organs. Plant treatment accelerated the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, phenolics including salicylic acid and glutathione in Salix leaves. However, significant differences in plant reactions to the applied metals were noted. Metal accumulation in leaves was correlated with soluble sugars and elevated glutathione, and also with total phenolics content, in the case of Cu and Ni, respectively. Glutathione synthesis was induced by both metals, and correlated with salicylic acid in leaves of Ni-treated plants.

Changes in Salix viminalis L. cv. 'Cannabina' morphology and physiology in response to nickel ions--hydroponic investigations.

The aim of the study was to assess the ability of 'basket willow' to bioaccumulate nickel with simultaneous analysis of biomass parameters and biomarkers of plants physiological reaction to the metal. Cuttings of Salix viminalis L. cv. 'Cannabina' were cultivated in Knop's medium containing nickel at 0-3mM stabilized with quartz sand. Higher nickel contents were observed in Salix rods and roots (~15), and lower for leaves and shoots (~3 mg kg(-1)DW) after 14 days at 3 mM Ni. The strongest inhibition was observed for root biomass, weaker for shoot, root and leaf elongation, and the weakest for the photosynthetic area (4, 24, 36, 55 and 70% of control, respectively). Soluble carbohydrates in leaves reached 340% of control at 3.0mM Ni. Phenolics content increased four-fold at 3mM Ni versus control, while salicylic acid content at 2.5 mM Ni was nearly 68 times higher than for Ni-untreated plants. The exudation of low molecular weight organic acids increased from ~40 to 130 µM kg(-1)DW at 3 mM. The investigated cultivar exhibits sufficient resistance to nickel and can be cultivated at heavily contaminated sites. Nevertheless, strong inhibition of plant growth was observed resulting probably from Ni-induced disturbances in nutrient uptake accompanied by oxidative stress.