No abstract

In recent decades, mushrooms have been recognized as an important resource and efforts to characterize their potential to aid nutrition and human health have increased. Phlebopus beniensis specimen from a semi-urban community in Paraguay were analyzed for its biochemical properties, nutritional value, and toxicity. The species was identified by morpho-anatomical and molecular tools. Analyses for antioxidants by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) and nutritional content revealed that P. beniensis is a favorable source of antioxidants, proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and fats. Spectrometry through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) further showcased other mycochemicals such as the specific phenolic, antioxidant, and fatty acid compounds that serve important biological roles in human diets. Applying an ethnomycological framework across local Paraguayan populations, we also report accounts of histories, knowledge, and usage of P. beniensis in South America among settlers and Paraguayan people.

Four species of Pluteus Fr. are documented based on recently collected specimens from Alto Paraguay and Central Department, which correspond to the Pantanal and Humid Chaco ecoregions, respectively. Pluteus fibulatus Singer, P. longistriatus (Peck) Peck, P. petasatus (Fr.) Gillet, and P. triplocystis Singer are newly recorded species of the mycobiota of Paraguay; P. triplocystis is also a newly recorded for South America. Descriptions and photographs of both macro- and microscopic features of each species are included along with a brief discussion on their taxonomy, ecology, and distribution.

Great progress has been made in recent years on taxonomy of brown rot polypores based on phylogenetical evidence, mainly Daeadalea within Fomitopsidaceae. However, the relations within the Fomitopsidaceae family remain unresolved. Some neotropical species of Daedalea were never included in molecular phylogenetic analyses, such as D. aethalodes, D. ryvardeniana, and south American specimens of D. modesta. To clarify the relationships of those species within Daedalea we carried out molecular phylogenetic analyses based on five molecular markers (ITS, nLSU, nSSU, RPB2, and TEF-1). Daedalea s. s. was recovered as a strongly supported clade including most species, however, Daedalea radiata grouped with Rodofomitopsis. A new neotropical species, Daedalea rajchenbergiana sp. nov., was described based on molecular phylogeny, morphology, and distribution evidence. The placement of Daedalea aethalodes, D. ryvardeniana, and D. rajchenbergiana sp. nov. within Daedalea s. s. was confirmed.

To further knowledge of the biological activity of native neotropical fungal species, this study aimed to determine the chemical composition and microbiological activity of <i>Hornodermoporus martius</i>. Ethanol, hexane, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate fractions and the water residue were analyzed and resulted in a total phenolic compound content between 13 and 63 mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of crude extract. The total antioxidants ranged between 3 and 19 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of crude extract, and the percentage of antioxidant activity was determined to be between 6 and 25&#37;. A preliminary profile of compounds is provided for the first time for the species; the results from the nonpolar fraction showcased the presence of saturated and unsaturated acids, fatty alcohol, sterols, and cis-vaccenic acid. Our findings also revealed antimicrobial properties from compounds within the hexane and diethyl ether fractions at concentrations of 1 mg mL^-1, which inhibited the growth of certain gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. For the first time in academic literature, our work analyzed and documented the chemical characteristics and microbial properties of <i>H. martius</i>, suggesting potential for medicinal applications.

Discovered in Paraguay, Chlorophyllum sapukai is a new species based on morphological characters and multigene molecular phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1 markers). Macroscopically, the species is characterized by large agaricoid basidiomata, with a hemispherical to broad convex pileus, a yellowish to cream buff surface of the pileus covered centrally with plate-like squamules. Microscopically, the new species is characterized by abundant cheilocystidia (35–50 × 14–20 µm), truncate basidiospores with a defined germ pore (9–10 × 6.5–7.5 μm), a pileus covering arranged as a trichodermial palisade at the squamules. Chlorophyllum hortense is recorded for the first time for Paraguay and the distribution of C. molybdites is expanded. Detailed morphological descriptions, field photographs of the species and the phylogenetic position of the Chlorophyllum species occurring in Paraguay are presented. A key to neotropical Chlorophyllum species is also provided.