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Mushrooms are consumed for their nutrients and therapeutic bioactive compounds and are used medicinally in Chinese and Japanese medicine traditions since time immemorial. Members of the genus Pleurotus form a heterogeneous group of edible species with outstanding nutritional profiles rich in fiber, vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, ergosterine, and niacin), micro and macro‐elements (phosphorus and iron), and carbohydrates. Pleurotus is one of the most diversified medicinal and edible mushrooms related to the composition of chemical structures such as polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and betalains. The cultivation of Pleurotus spp. on lignocellulosic wastes represents one of the most economically and cost‐effective organic recycling processes, especially for the utilization of different feasible and cheap recyclable residues. Also, several Pleurotus spp. have the ability to remove phenolic compounds from wastewater with the action of phenoloxidase activity. Here, we have reviewed the chemistry of such polysaccharides and their reported biological activities, namely, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti‐diabetic, anti‐tumor, antioxidant, etc. The mechanism of action and effects of novel polysaccharides extracted from various species of Pleurotus have been studied. The current study will be beneficial for guiding future research projects on the above concept and investigating more deeply the health of human beings. Practical applications Mushrooms are one of the most delicious foods around the globe and have many medicinal properties for decades. Various Pleurotus species have been in focus in recent years because of their palatability and medicinal importance too. It contains many bioactive compounds among which polysaccharides are valued to a great extent. Many biological activities are exerted by polysaccharides derived from the Pleurotus spp., namely, anti‐tumor, antioxidant, and many more. They are responsible for significant physiological responses in animals, animal‐alternative in vitro models, and humans. Their important physicochemical characteristics benefit their use in the food industry as well. So, the biological activities of these Pleurotus spp. polysaccharides will provide an insight to develop Pleurotus spp. as functional foods, because of their nutritional value and presence of bioactive components.

Extracellular ligninolytic enzyme activities were determined in two white-rot fungi, Bjerkandera adusta and Lentinus squarrosulus. To investigate the activity of extracellular enzymes, cultures were incubated over a period of 20 days in nutrient rich medium (NRM) and nutrient poor medium under static and shaking conditions. Enzymatic activity was varied with media and their incubation conditions. The highest level of Aryl alcohol oxidase (AAO) was detected under shaking condition of both medium while Manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity was best in NRM under both conditions. AAO is the main oxidases enzyme in B. adusta while laccase plays important role in L. squarrosulus. MnP is the main peroxidase enzyme in both varieties.

Objective: The objective of this study is to elucidate phytochemical contents, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity of wild mushrooms collected from Himachal Pradesh.Methods: Quantitative analysis of phytochemical constituents was carried out using standard methods while 1,1 diphenylpicrylhydrazyl nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide-free radical scavenging assay were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of selected wild mushrooms. Anti-inflammatory capacity of samples was evaluated by human red blood cell membrane stabilization and albumin denaturation inhibition method. Results:The results obtained revealed that Pleurotus floridanus showed higher total phenol, flavonoid carotenoid, and ascorbic acid contents of 61.13±2.3 mg/g, 15.2±1.13 mg/g, 12.42±0.42 µg/g, 17.36±0.40 µg/g, and 14.55±0.58 mg/g. All the species showed antioxidant potential, but P. floridanus proved to be more active while Macrocybe sp. proved to be least one. Conclusion:The mushroom species analyzed have been showed to be good source of phytoconstituents, antioxidants, and also possess antiinflammatory properties, thus can be used in the management of oxidative stress-induced disease.

Disease management is often complicated by the presence of multiple types of pathogens; in an organic system, it is appropriate to develop disease control strategies. The available literature so far reflects that the management of important disease of tomato is through the integrated approaches and very few organic approaches have been tried with various degree of success. Boiopriming of seeds with biocontrol agents (Trichoderma viridae, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) in combination with different biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB) and organic manures (FYM and vermi-compost) were tested against disease incidence and health management of tomato seedling under nursery as well as field conditions. The studies were conducted during two successive years (2012-2013) at farmer's field with the objective to combat with the increasing disease incidence of three major disease damping-off, fusarium wilt and buckeye rot from nursery stage to the final harvesting. The study focused on the use of biocontrol agents as the suitable alternative to chemical pesticides with sustainable disease management without pesticide residues in foodstuff. The bio priming of seeds with fungal antagonist Trichoderma viridae and harzianum and bacterial antagonist Pseudomonas fluorescens significantly improved the germination behavior of tomato seeds as compared to untreated control. Highest mean germination (93.1%) and seedling vigour (953.33) was recorded in Treatment 3 (FYM @ 200 q/ ha + Azospirillum + PSB + Trichoderma herzianum (4 kg/ha each) and lowest in control (60.3%) and (304.83), thus indicating a significant per cent increase in seedling emergence (54.4%) and seedling vigour (95.23%). A considerable reduction in disease incidence (pre and post) of damp-* Corresponding author. N. Thakur, A. Tripathi 536 ing off was observed in treatment T₃ and T₄ (VC @ 50 q/ha + Azospirillum + PSB + Trichoderma herzianum @ (4 kg/ha) with 45.6% and 35.4% respectively). Treatment T₃ proved highest in terms of yield (665 Kg/Ha), Hence these diseases can be managed by successful application of Biocontrol agents.

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The objective of present study was to identify the unknown wild edible mushroom based on morphological characteristics and DNA based sequencing by using universal primers ITS 1and ITS 4, antibacterial activity, phytochemical screening and FTIR analysis of mushroom extract spectra.Methods:-The wild edible mushroom specimen was tentatively identified morphologically and was cultured on 2% MEA. The isolate thus obtained was screened for its antimicrobial activity. Methanol extract was prepared in order to carry out antibacterial activity. The extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemicaland FTIR analysis.Results:-The isolates on the basis of morphological and molecular characterization was identified as P. ostreatus. Agar-well diffusion method was used to carry out antimicrobial assay. The methanolextract ofP. ostreatus showed antimicrobial activity against E.coli having zone inhibition diameter 24.3±0.5, against S. aureus having zone inhibition diameter 26.6±0.5,againstP. aeruginosa having zone inhibition diameter20.3±0.5 and against K.pneumoniae having zone inhibition diameter 28.6±0.5. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis indicated that all mushroom's extract spectra showed typical carbohydrate pattern with strong and broad absorption near 3300 cm -1 which indicates the presence of OH group. Conclusion:-The isolate analysis have been showed to be good source of antimicrobial agent and phytoconstituents, therefore could be potential source of bioactive compounds with beneficial biological activities. .

Microfluidic devices are a good example of the collaboration of chemical, biological, and engineering sciences. Microfluidic devices emerge as an in fluent technology which provides an alternative to conventional laboratory methods. These devices are employed for the precise handling and transport precise quantities of drugs without toxicity. This system is emerging as a promising platform for designing advanced drug delivery systems and analysis of biological phenomena on miniature devices for easy diagnosis. Microfluidics enables the fabrication of drug carriers with controlled geometry and specific target sites. Microfluidic devices are also used for the diagnosis of cancer circulating tumor cells. In the current review, different microfluidic drug delivery systems and diagnostic devices have described.