Antimicrobial Activity of Three Italian Strains of Morchella esculenta (Ascomycota).

Three genetically identified and morphologically characterized strains (MesAQ2-C, MesAQ6-2 and MesFI2-3) of the culinary-medicinal ascomycete mushroom Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers. collected in central-north Italy have been studied for their antifungal and antibacterial activities. The obtained data showed that mycelium of M. esculenta possess variable antimicrobial activity against four test fungi (Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton terrestre, Penicillium griseofulvum), as well as one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) test bacteria potentially pathogenic for humans and animals. Up to 20.4% of inhibition of the average mycelial growth rate (GRavr) of test fungi in dual culture experiment was detected. The samples of cultural liquid (CL) and mycelial extract (ME) obtained by static cultivation of M. esculenta strains showed up to 13.9 and 23.0% of GRavr inhibition of test fungi, respectively. Similarly, the inhibition of the bacterial colonies by CL and ME samples was 34.1 and 32.3%, respectively in comparison with the control with streptomycin indicating almost equal secretion of both intra- and extracellular antimicrobial compounds by M. esculenta mycelium. As a producer of antimicrobial compounds among tested M. esculenta strains, MesAQ2-C was the most effective. It may be considered for further myco-pharmacological research to develop mushroom-based antimicrobial biotech products with biomedical significance.

Pharmacological Properties and Resource Value of Hymenochaetoid Fungi (Agaricomycetes) Distributed in Armenia: Review.

The systematic study of aphyllophoroid, including hymenochaetoid, fungi in Armenia revealed around 200 species, forms, and varieties among which around 40 species possess medicinal properties. The modern taxonomic analysis and nomenclature verification of mycobiota of macromycetes are required for assessment of the resource value of Armenian medicinal mushrooms. According to Index Fungorum the hymenochaetoid fungi (order Hymenochaetales) is currently represented by 27 species, 14 genera, and 3 families. Among them, Phellinus tremulae has originally been reported for Armenian mycobiota; 12 species possess pharmacological properties. The current review addresses the biodiversity, resource value, bioactive and pharmacological properties, as well as perspectives for further biotechnological exploitation of hymenochaetoid fungi in Armenia.

Diversity of Polypore Bracket Mushrooms, Polyporales (Agaricomycetes), Recorded in Armenia and Their Medicinal Properties.

The list of polypore bracket mushrooms (Polyporales) recorded in Armenia is presented. The order Polyporales in Armenia is currently represented by 87 species (4 varieties) belonging to 47 genera. Information regarding the study of the medicinal properties (e.g., antifungal, antibacterial, mitogenic, regenerative, antioxidant, proteolytic) of genetically identified mycelial collections of several polypore species-mainly from the genera Daedalea, Fomes, Fomitopsis, Ganoderma, Laetiporus, Piptoporus, Polyporus, and Trametes-is reported, as well.