Discovery of novel secondary metabolites from the basidiomycete Lentinus cf. sajor-caju and their inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Three novel derivatives of microporenic acid, microporenic acids H-J, were identified from submerged cultures of a Lentinus species obtained from a basidiome collected during a field trip in the tropical rainforest in Western Kenya. Their structures were elucidated via HR-ESIMS spectra and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, as well as by comparison with known derivatives. Applying biofilm assays based on crystal violet staining and confocal microscopy, two of these compounds, microporenic acids H and I, demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Thereby, they were effective in a concentration range that did not affect planktonic growth. Additionally, microporenic acid I enhanced the anti-biofilm activity of the antibiotics vancomycin and gentamicin when used in combination. This opens up possibilities for the use of these compounds in combination therapy to prevent the formation of S. aureus biofilms.

Antioxidative and Antibacterial Hydro-Ethanolic Fraction from an Asian Edible Mushroom Lentinus sajor-caju (Agaricomycetes) Suppresses Inflammatory Responses by Downregulating COX-2 and iNOS Expression.

Mushrooms are prevalently important sources of pharmaceutically active metabolites. Various mushroom species belonging to the Lentinus genus are recognized for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. One such species is L. sajor-caju, which is renowned in Southeast Asian nations for its culinary value. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the potential medicinal properties of L. sajor-caju, specifically its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. A hydroethanolic extract was formulated using dried basidiocarps, which exhibited a high phenolic content of approximately 14% and a flavonoid content of approximately 2.7%. The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant potential in in vitro reactions. The extract is sufficiently capable of scavenging free radicals (DPPH and ABTS) and chelate Fe2+ with EC50 values spanning from 186 to 390 µg/mL. In addition, considerable antimicrobial activity against tested pathogenic microorganisms was observed, as indicated by low MIC50 values (256-358 µg/mL). Moreover, the fraction was found to prevent heat-induced protein denaturation which signifies its anti-inflammatory potential. When tested on the RAW 264.7 cell line, reduction in the nitrite production, and downregulation of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA expression was observed which are the key regulator of inflammatory signalling systems. The study, therefore, recommends the use of L. sajor-caju in the medical and pharmaceutical industries for the benefit of humanity.

Antibacterial Activity of Culinary-Medicinal Polypore Mushroom Lentinus tigrinus (Agaricomycetes).

Medicinal mushrooms belonging to Lentinus spp. exhibit significant antibacterial activities, but little attention has been paid to their efficacy against the food-borne pathogen, Bacillus cereus. The present study for the first time quantitatively evaluated the antibacterial activity of different extracts from fruiting bodies of a well-authenticated Iranian native strain of medicinal mushroom, Lentinus tigrinus, against Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium B. cereus. The findings revealed that the acetone extract inhibited the growth of B. cereus at concentrations as low as 31.25 µg/ML, while it had no effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus even at 10,000 µg/ML. The rest of the bacteria were also susceptible to the acetone extract at concentrations greater than 5 mg/ML. Antibacterial activities of the methanol-ethyl acetate extract and the hot water extract were significantly weaker than that of the acetone extract, which contained high amounts of total phenols (5.83 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g, dw), while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, amide, and amine. Further studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed obvious changes in the morphology of B. cereus in response to the acetone extract of L. tigrinus. This study may suggest that L. tigrinus could be a good natural source for isolating and purifying antibacterial compounds against B. cereus.

Lentinuses A-B, two alkaloids from the marine-derived fungus Lentinus sajor-caju with potent anti-pulmonary fibrosis activity.

By adding natural amino acids into the medium as sole nitrogen source, twenty-four compounds, including two new alkaloids lentinuses A-B (1-2) with a rare oxazinone core in marine natural products, one new natural product 3-acetamido-4-phenylfurazan (3), 9ß-ergosterol (22) were firstly discovered from a marine fungus, and twenty known compounds (4-21, 23-24) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Lentinus sajor-caju. The chemical structures of all these compounds were elucidated by HRMS, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-24 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against TGF-ß1-induced collagen accumulation in human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1). Compounds 2, 3, 12, 22, and 23 showed potent activity against TGF-ß1-induced collagen accumulation and low toxicity to HFL1 cells. The binding mode of lentinus B (2) with TGF-ß1 receptor was then performed by using Schrödinger software, and the result showed that lentinus B possesses a strong binding force such as hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions to the protein, which may provide a theoretical basis to design more potent anti-fibrotic drugs in the future.

Long-term cryopreservation of Lentinus crinitus strains by wheat grain technique.

Lentinus crinitus (Basidiomycota: Polyporales) is a saprophytic fungus with biotechnological importance described more than 20 years ago. However, there are few studies on the long-term preservation of this basidiomycete. Cryopreservation is a long-term storage technique that reduces the metabolic activity of microorganisms, but its success depends on the adjustment of the freezing process, the cryoprotectants, and the protective substrates for each species. This study aimed to assess the mycelial viability and genetic stability of L. crinitus strains cryopreserved at -86 °C for two years by the wheat grain technique using different cryoprotectants and freezing methods. Three strains of L. crinitus (U9-1, U13-5, and U15-12) were subjected to different concentrations and types of cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, glucose, and sucrose), freezing methods such as immediate freezing from 25 to -86 °C and progressing freezing from 25 to -86 °C in a freezing container with isopropyl alcohol to control the rate of cell freezing at -1 °C min-1, protective substrate (wheat grain and 2% malt extract agar), and cryopreservation period (1, 6, 12, and 24 months). After thawing, samples were evaluated for mycelial viability, time to mycelial recovery, mycelial stability, and genetic stability of the fungus. All techniques achieved effective cryopreservation at -86 °C, mainly with the wheat grain technique. All cryoprotectants (3.5% glycerol, 1.5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 25% sucrose, and 5% glucose), freezing methods (immediate and gradual), and protective substrate (wheat grain and malt extract agar) were effective for cryopreservation of the three L.crinitus strains in an ultra-low temperature freezer for two years. Mycelial viability, mycelial stability, and genetic stability of the fungus were not affected after two-year cryopreservation, evidencing the robustness of the long-term cryopreservation technique and the fungus.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of the Polypore Mushroom Lentinus arcularius (Agaricomycetes) Isolated in Vietnam.

Lentinus arcularius (=Polyporus arcularius) is a medicinal polypore mushroom recorded in Vietnam based on morphological observation. In this study, three L. arcularius isolates were identified using molecular and morphological methods. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of their intracellular and/or extracellular metabolites were investigated. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were the most active extracts against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli VTCC 12014, Pseudomonas aeruginosa VTCC 12273, and Staphylococcus aureus VTCC 10658) and fungi (Candida albicans VTCC 20568, Saccharomyces cerevisiae VTCC 20146, and Aspergillus niger VTCC 30001). These fractions also showed the highest antioxidant activity by α,α-diphenyl-ß-picryl-hydrazyl as a free-radical agent or the highest percentage at 75-100% inhibition. These results suggest that L. arcularius might be a potential medicinal mushroom with antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.

Production of Lignocellulolytic Enzymes and Phenolic Compounds by Lentinus strigosus from the Amazon Using Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Residue.

The Amazon rainforest has a rich biodiversity, and studies of Basidiomycete fungi that have biomolecules of biotechnological interest are relevant. The use of lignocellulosic biomass in biotechnological processes proposes an alternative use, and also adds value to the material when employed in the bioconversion of agro-industrial waste. In this context, this study evaluate the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes (carboxymethylcellulases (CMCase), xylanase, pectinase, laccase) as well as phenolic compounds and proteases by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using the fungus Lentinus strigosus isolated from Amazon. The guarana (Paullinia cupana) residue was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SSF was carried out with 60% humidification of the residue, at 30 °C, for 10 days. The lignocellulosic biomass presented fragmented structures with irregular shapes and porosities, and was mainly constituted by cellulose (19.16%), hemicellulose (32.83%), and lignin (6.06%). During the SSF, significant values of CMCase (0.84 U/g) on the 8th day, xylanase (1.00 U/g) on the 7th day, pectinase (2.19 U/g) on the 6th day, laccase (176.23 U/mL) on the 5th day, phenolic compounds (10.27 µg/mL) on the 1st day, soluble proteins (0.08 mg/mL) on the 5th day, and protease (8.30 U/mL) on the 6th day were observed. In general, the agro-industrial residue used provided promising results as a viable alternative for use as a substrate in biotechnological processes.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of the Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Lentinula boryana (Agaricomycetes) from Brazil.

Mushrooms can be used in culinary applications, as a source of antioxidants, and for many therapeutic purposes. Foods are a natural source of antioxidant compounds, molecules that can inhibit oxidation of other molecules through the removal of free radicals, and thus play an important role in the protection of an organism's health. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely present in vegetables and mushrooms. Some studies highlight the capacity of mushrooms to produce antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumoral substances. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity (with the ABTS, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power methods) and antimicrobial activity (disc diffusion method) of an Lentinula boryana isolate, using its mycelium as the primary material of study. The results showed that L. boryana has benefits such as antioxidant activity in medicinal and culinary uses.

Pro-Health and Anti-Cancer Activity of Fungal Fractions Isolated from Milk-Supplemented Cultures of Lentinus (Pleurotus) Sajor-caju.

The present study aimed to demonstrate Lentinus (formerly Pleurotus) sajor-caju (PSC) as a good source of pro-health substances. It has also shown that supplementation of its culture medium with cow milk may further improve its beneficial properties. Intracellular fractions from fungi grown on a medium supplemented with cow milk were analyzed using various biochemical methods for determination of the nutrient composition. Furthermore, anti-cancer properties of selected extracts were investigated on colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29, LS 180, and SW948) in vitro. Biochemical analysis showed enrichment in health-enhancing compounds, such as proteins or polysaccharides (about 3.5- and 4.5-fold increase in concentration of proteins and carbohydratesin extracts of mycelia cultured on whole milk (PSC2-I), respectively), with a decrease in the level of free radicals (10-fold decrease in extract grown on milk and medium mixture (1:1) (PSC3-II)), which was related to increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity (7.5-fold increase in catalase activity and 5-fold in SOD activity in PSC3-II compared to the control). Moreover, the viability of the cancer cells was diminished (to 60.0 ± 6.8% and 40.0 ± 8.6% of the control, on HT-29 and SW948 cells, respectively), along with pro-apoptotic (to 18.8 ± 11.8 and 14.7 ± 8.0% towards LS 180 and SW948 cells, respectively) and NO-secreting effects (about 2-fold increase) of the extracts. This study suggests that PSC has multiple nutritional and anti-cancer properties and can be used as a source of healthy biomolecules in modern medicine or functional foods.

Bioactivities of Lentinus polychrous and Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) Polysaccharide Extracts.

This study aimed to compare the bioactivities of Lentinus polychrous polysaccharide extracts with Ganoderma lucidum. Three hot water-extracted polysaccharide fractions of L. polychrous (LPE), including immature fruiting bodies (im-LPE), mature fruiting bodies (ma-LPE), and mycelium (my-LPE), were analyzed for their phytochemical contents and bioactivities (e.g., anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects) compared with G. lucidum extract (GLE). Although GLE had the highest total phenolic and protein contents and lower carbohydrate content than LPE, im-LPE showed strong inhibition on HepG2 cell proliferation as did GLE. GLE and LPE showed antiviral effects on herpes simplex virus-1 and the relative antiproliferative activity was from im-LPE > my-LPE > ma-LPE. However, im-LPE showed the best protective activity on the viral attachment step with some virucidal effects. Moreover, all LPE showed selective and stronger inhibitory effects on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages than those of GLE on genetic expression. Considering the 50% inhibitory concentration values, my-LPE possessed the strongest inhibitory activity on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. However, ma-LPE had the strongest inhibitory effects on interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression. The extracts increased splenocyte proliferation under mycohaemagglutinin induction with a relative order of my-LPE > GLE > ma-LPE = im-LPE. In conclusion, LPE showed positive effects and stronger activity than G. lucidum. L. polychrous may have potential for use as an ingredient in functional foods.

Inhibition of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase by natural plant extracts.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are monocopper enzymes of industrial and biological importance. In particular, LPMOs play important roles in fungal lifestyle. No inhibitors of LPMOs have yet been reported. In this study, a diverse library of 100 plant extracts was screened for LPMO activity-modulating effects. By employing protein crystallography and LC-MS, we successfully identified a natural LPMO inhibitor. Extract screening revealed a significant LPMO inhibition by methanolic extract of Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), which inhibited LsAA9A LPMO from Lentinus similis in a concentration-dependent manner. With a notable exception, other microbial LPMOs from families AA9 and AA10 were also inhibited by this cinnamon extract. The polyphenol cinnamtannin B1 was identified as the inhibitory component by crystallography. Cinnamtannin B1 was bound to the surface of LsAA9A at two distinct binding sites: one close to the active site and another at a pocket on the opposite side of the protein. Independent characterization of cinnamon extract by LC-MS and subsequent activity measurements confirmed that the compound inhibiting LsAA9A was cinnamtannin B1. The results of this study show that specific natural LPMO inhibitors of plant origin exist in nature, providing the opportunity for future exploitation of such compounds within various biotechnological contexts.

Medicinal Mushrooms for Prevention and Therapy of Osteoporosis (Review).

Osteoporosis is an important public health challenge. Several medicinal mushrooms are able to improve bone stability by influencing different steps of bone formation, mineralization, or resorption. In nearly all investigations, the effects have been shown in vitro or in animal assays and only very few in clinical studies. Positive results exist for medicinal mushrooms of the genera Cordyceps/Ophiocordyceps, Ganoderma, Grifola, Lentinula, Phellinus, Pleurotus, Taiwanofungus, Trametes, and Wolfiporia. The results for Hericium are not consistent. This article critically reviews these investigations and describes challenges for the future.

A Study of the Therapeutic Potential of Lentinus squarrosulus (Agaricomycetes) from Gabon.

Lentinus squarrosulus is a mushroom widely used in Gabon for its culinary and medicinal properties. The bioactive potential of mushrooms might be attributable to the presence of several pharmaceutically important mycocompounds that need to be ascertained scientifically. A study of the therapeutic potential of L. squarrosulus, the species of lignicolous fungus exploited in Gabon, was carried out on the basis of a chemical screening performed on three extracts in order to highlight different important chemical groups. This chemical screening was followed by a study of the fungus's antioxidant activity and prediction of its additional pharmacological activities. Chemical screening revealed that three extracts (aqueous, hydroethanolic, and ethanolic) of L. squarrosulus were almost free of tannins and were poor in total flavonoids and moderately rich in reducing sugars. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were rich in total polyphenols, whereas aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts were rich in alkaloids. The aqueous extract was rich in saponosides and the hydroethanolic extract was rich in coumarins. The dosage of phenolic compounds confirmed the fungus's richness in total polyphenols, especially for aqueous and ethanolic extracts, its poverty in flavonoids and absence of tannins in ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts. Regarding antioxidant activities, the results obtained for diphenyl picryl hydrazyl trapping tests showed that the different extracts tested had antioxidant activity ranging from low to moderate (0.12 ≤ antioxidant activity index [IAA] ≤ 0.6); the greatest activity was obtained with ethanolic extract (IAA = 0.6). Hence, we conclude that L. squarrosulus extracts can be used as easily accessible sources of natural antioxidants for potential preventative therapies.

Chemosensitizing activity of peptide from Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) on cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.

The limitations of cisplatin, a standard chemotherapy for lung cancer, have been documented with serious adverse effects and drug resistance. To address the need for novel therapy, this study firstly reveals the potential of peptide from Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant for cisplatin treatment. The purified peptide from L. squarrosulus aqueous extracts was obtained after eluting with 0.4 M NaCl through FPLC equipped with anion exchange column. Preincubation for 24 h with 5 µg/mL of the peptide at prior to treatment with 5 µM cisplatin significantly diminished %cell viability in various human lung cancer cells but not in human dermal papilla and proximal renal cells. Flow cytometry indicated the augmentation of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells pretreated with peptide from L. squarrosulus. Preculture with the peptide dramatically inhibited colony formation in lung cancer cells derived after cisplatin treatment. Strong suppression on integrin-mediated survival was evidenced with the diminution of integrins (ß1, ß3, ß5, α5, αV) and down-stream signals (p-FAK/FAK, p-Src/Src, p-Akt/Akt) consequence with alteration of p53, Bax, Blc-2 and Mcl-1 in cisplatin-treated lung cancer cells preincubated with peptide from L. squarrosulus. These results support the development of L. squarrosulus peptide as a novel combined chemotherapy with cisplatin for lung cancer treatment.

Molecular characterization, gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis, phytochemical screening and insecticidal activities of ethanol extract of Lentinus squarrosulus against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus).

Mosquito-transmitted diseases like zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever are known to affect human health worldwide. Numerous synthetic insecticides have been used as vector control for these diseases, but there is the challenge of environmental toxicity and vector resistance. This study investigated the medicinal and insecticidal potential of Lentinus squarrosulus against Aedes aegypti. The fruiting bodies were identified morphologically as well as using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences for its molecular characterization. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) yield was confirmed with NanoDrop Spectrophotometer ND-1000 and amplified with ITSl and ITS4 primers. The amplicons were sequenced and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database identified the nucleotides. Its ethanol extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and tested against the pupa and fourth instar larva of Aedes aegypti with percentage mortality monitored. The Macrofungus was identified morphologically and confirmed with molecular characterization as Lentinus squarrosulus (LS). The gene sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession number MK629662.1). GC-MS analysis showed that its ethanol extract has 25 bioactive compounds with 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester having the highest percentage of 43.32% as well as methyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetate and 17-octadecynoic acid having the lowest percentage (0.09%). The macrofungus contained varied concentrations of phytochemicals including phenols (159 mg/g GAE), tannins (1.6 mg/g TAE), and flavonoids (31.4 mg/g QE). The ethanol extract had significant potent effects on Aedes aegypti larva and pupa which could be due to the occurrence and abundance of 9,12-octadecadienoic acid in LS. The LC50 of the extract for larvicidal and pupicidal activities were 2.95 mg/mL and 3.55 mg/mL, respectively, while its LC90 were 6.31 mg/mL and 5.75 mg/mL respectively. Lentinus squarrosulus had insecticidal effects against the Aedes aegypti larva and pupa and possessed great potential as a source of alternative medicine and eco-friendly insecticides.

Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus subnudus supplemented diets restore altered acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities and improve antioxidant status in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model.

Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) and Lentinus subnudus (L. subnudus) have been used by the locals for the management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but with scant scientific sources. The aim of this study is to assess the neuroprotective properties of P. ostreatus and L. subnudus using transgenic Drosophila melanogaster flies (TDMF). The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), as well as the antioxidant status of TDMF raised on a diet supplemented with P. ostreatus and L. subnudus were determined. The flies were raised on a diet devoid of supplements or supplemented with P. ostreatus or L. subnudus (1% and 5% inclusion) for 7 days. Afterward, AChE and BChE activities, as well as catalase and total thiol level, were determined. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also determined in the flies raised on a diet devoid of supplement and on supplemented diets. Meanwhile, flies raised on P. ostreatus- and L. subnudus-supplemented diets exhibited a significant reduction in the activity of AChE and BChE in comparison with the controls. Also, supplemented diets significantly (p < 0.05) enhance catalase activity and improve total thiol level, while ROS and MDA levels were observed to be reduced in all the flies raised on the supplemented diets in comparison with the controls. In summary, reduction in the activity of AChE and BChE, as well as improved antioxidant status in TDMF, could be some of the mechanisms through which P. ostreatus and L. subnudus exhibit anti-AD properties. Nevertheless, L. subnudus exhibits a better neuroprotective effect than P. ostreatus.

Effect of aqueous extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus subnudus on activity of adenosine deaminase, arginase, cholinergic enzyme, and angiotensin-1-converting enzyme.

Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) and Lentinus subnudus (L. subnudus) commonly consumed as food or as food supplement have been reported in folklore for their antihypertensive property with limited scientific proof. This study aims to unravel the antihypertensive mechanism of P. ostreatus and L. subnudus in vitro. The antioxidant properties of P. ostreatus and L. subnudus were established via standard antioxidant assays. Also, the effect of P. ostreatus and L. subnudus extracts on relevant enzymes associated to the development of hypertension were evaluated. Findings from this study revealed that P. ostreatus and L. subnudus extracts exhibited antihypertensive and antioxidant properties. Meanwhile, according to our results, various bioactive compounds present in P. ostreatus and L. subnudus could be responsible for the observed in vitro antihypertensive property. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: P. ostreatus and L. subnudus are the most commonly consumed mushrooms by the rural dwellers in South Western Nigeria, perhaps, based on their nutritive value and health-enhancing benefits. This paper showed that P. ostreatus and L. subnudus possess antihypertensive and antioxidant properties. Thus, their consumption as foods or food supplements may provide therapeutic benefits for hypertensive patients. Therefore, P. ostreatus and L. subnudus are promising candidates for the development of nutraceuticals.

Characterization of the Nutritional Composition of a Biotechnologically Produced Oyster Mushroom and its Physiological Effects in Obese Zucker Rats.

SCOPE: Sustainable protein sources are needed to meet the increasing protein demands of a continuously growing world population. This study is focused on the biotechnological production of a protein rich oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju; PSC) by valorization of an agricultural side stream and the evaluation of the physiological effects of PSC in a rat model of metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: PSC is produced via submerged cultivation in a 150 L bioreactor that utilizes isomaltulose molasses as its sole carbon source, and is further analyzed for its nutritional composition. A feeding trial is performed using Zucker rats which are fed a 5% PSC supplemented diet, for 4 weeks. Biochemical analyses reveal a significant reduction of the liver lipid concentrations and liver inflammation in the PSC fed obese rats in comparison to the obese rats from the control group. Hepatic qPCR analyses, differential transcript profiling, and enzyme activity measurements reveal a number of altered pathways that may be responsible for these anti-steatotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the mushroom. CONCLUSION: Bioconversion of a low quality agricultural side stream to an improved protein source is performed by submerged cultured PSC, and the obtained mycelium shows strong anti-steatotic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Rapid quality control of medicine and food dual purpose plant polysaccharides by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

With their multiple biological activities and health benefit effects, polysaccharides from medicine and food dual purpose plants (MFDPPPs) have been extensively applied in many fields, including in medical treatments, stock farming, and cosmetics. However, to date, quality issues of MFDPPPs and technologies for the analysis of polysaccharides have posed challenges to chemists. Reported herein is a rapid and high-throughput quality control method for analyzing MFDPPPs, based on matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). For the analysis of illegally added and doped substances, ferroferric oxide nanoparticles were employed as the MALDI matrix to avoid small molecule interference. Qualitatively, high sensitivity was obtained for both illegal drugs and glucose. Quantitatively, the best linear response (R2 > 0.99) was attained in the concentration range from 0.005 to 1 mg mL-1 for glucose. For the analysis of polysaccharides, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid/N-methylaniline was employed as the MALDI matrix to increase the detection sensitivity and mass range coverage. Furthermore, the established method was successfully applied to the analysis of supplements from Astragalus polysaccharides and Lentinan real samples, showing its potential in quality control for MFDPPPs.

Toxicity and Nutritional Assessment of Extracts of Medicinal Tiger Sawgill Mushroom, Lentinus tigrinus (Agaricomycetes), a Newly Domesticated in Iran.

Information on the biosafety of tiger sawgill mushroom, Lentinus tigrinus, is limited and controversial. In the present study, the toxicity of a native L. tigrinus strain was evaluated in both cell cultures and mice. In addition to proximate analysis, the amino acid composition and the substrate-dependent uptake of elements were also evaluated. The mushroom (dry weight) had 7.53 ± 0.11% ash, 4.23 ± 0.23% lipid, 13.4 ± 0.04% fiber, 74.84 ± 0.38% total carbohydrate, and 4.16 ± 0.08 (mg GAEs/g) total phenol. Lysine was found at the highest amount among the L-amino acids determined in the L. tigrinus soluble protein. Comparison of the elemental profile of L. tigrinus with that of the substrate demonstrated a great capacity for absorption of K, P, S, and Mg elements, while the Na uptake was low. Neither the substrate nor the mushroom contained toxic elements beyond the standards of the joint FAO/WHO. The viability of normal human and mouse-derived cells was not influenced by the extract up to 250 µg/mL, where 70% of cancerous PC3 and MCF-7 cells were killed. Selectivity index analysis suggested that the L. tigrinus extract was selective only against MCF-7 cells. The extract also did not affect mice treated orally or via i.p. injection, while i.v. injection caused some mortality in mice with an LD50 of 47.19 mg/mL. In conclusion, L. tigrinus may be considered a source of macronutrients and micronutrients with a selective anticancer activity, while it is much less likely to have detrimental effects on humans at low serving levels.