Comparison of Different Drying Methods for Recovery of Mushroom DNA

Abstract

Several methods have been reported for drying mushroom specimens for population genetic, taxonomic, and phylogenetic studies. However, most methods have not been directly compared for their effectiveness in preserving mushroom DNA. In this study, we compared silica gel drying at ambient temperature and oven drying at seven different temperatures. Two mushroom species representing two types of fruiting bodies were examined: the fleshy button mushroom Agaricus bisporus and the leathery shelf fungus Trametes versicolor. For each species dried with the eight methods, we assessed the mushroom water loss rate, the quality and quantity of extracted DNA, and the effectiveness of using the extracted DNA as a template for PCR amplification of two DNA fragments (ITS and a single copy gene). Dried specimens from all tested methods yielded sufficient DNA for PCR amplification of the two genes in both species. However, differences among the methods for the two species were found in: (i) the time required by different drying methods for the fresh mushroom tissue to reach a stable weight; and (ii) the relative quality and quantity of the extracted genomic DNA. Among these methods, oven drying at 70 °C for 3–4 h seemed the most efficient for preserving field mushroom samples for subsequent molecular work.

Effect of different drying temperatures on the rehydration of the fruiting bodies of Yu Muer (Auricularia cornea) and screening of browning inhibitors

“…Through the analysis of the effect of the four drying temperatures on the drying time and water loss ratio, we found that for all the drying temperatures, the fruiting bodies lost the majority of their water in the first 3 hr, and the water loss ratio decreased with the extension of drying time. This pattern was similar to the water loss reported in A. bisporus during HD (Wang, Liu, & Xu, 2017). Also, we found that for all the drying temperatures, the water loss ratio was the highest at the first 0.5 hr, the order of which was: 65℃ (40.15%)> 55℃ (28.97%)> 45℃ (25.57%)> 35℃ (22.96%).…”

“…The color change of edible fungi during drying is an important index for selecting a drying method (Wang et al., 2017). The Yu Muer fruiting bodies have a milky‐white rough surface and a light yellow ventral surface.…”

Responses to Hydric Stress in the Seed-Borne Necrotrophic Fungus Alternaria brassicicola

“…The survival rate was calculated by counting the number of mycelial colonies (derived from treated or untreated germlings) after 3 days of incubation at 24°C. As previouslys reported (de Lima Alves et al, 2015; Wang et al, 2017), exposure to these two treatments induces water stress in fungal cells. Exposure of wild-type and mutant strains to 1.2 M sorbitol were performed following the procedure described below.…”

Molecular identification, in vivo and in vitro activities of Calvatia gigantea (macro-fungus) as an antidiabetic agent

“…Morphology and physiological parameter such as appearance, colour, dimension, spores and form of the fungus on media, with other environmental growth preferences is not sufficient for the identification of macrofungi. However, molecular based tools offer better alternatives for accurate identification (Akram et al 2012 ; Al-Habib et al 2014 ; Wang et al 2017 ) of wild medicinal and edible mushrooms, which will help in proper documentation and effective exploration. We have used the Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence for the molecular identification of Calvatia gigantea .…”

“…Mushrooms have a long history of having been employed by humans as medicines for thousands of years (Ferreira et al 2010 ; Valverde et al 2015 ; Zhang et al 2016 ). Because they have been demonstrated to affect one or more target functions in the body, leading to either an improved state of health and well-being and/or reduction of risk of disease, they are referred to as functional foods (Guillamon et al, 2010 , Wang et al 2017 , Vamanu, 2018 ). Of the 14,000 to 15,000 species of mushrooms in the world around 700 of them have known medicinal properties (Lurie et al 2009 ; Li et al 2018 ).…”