Diversity of Mushrooms and Their Metabolites of Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Significance

Abstract

Mushrooms are well known for their nutritional as well as therapeutic values worldwide. Interest in mushrooms has peaked because immunity and cellular protection are important issues for health conscious consumers and for those individuals who are dealing with serious health issues. Mushrooms generally belong to Basidiomycetes which harbors numerous mushroom species with diversity of metabolites of nutraceutical and therapeutic significance. They have been reported to be the most valuable ones for humans. Investigations on the therapeutic and nutritional properties of mushrooms are underway throughout the world. Researchers are providing crucial data on the array of bioactive compounds found within these fascinating fungi. People are now accepting mushrooms more as food and food supplements. Various academic and research institutes are all involved actively in research on bioactive metabolites of mushrooms. The present paper aims at reviewing the diversity of mushrooms and the types of metabolites especially of nutraceutical and therapeutic importance present in these mushrooms and their role as bioactive agents.

Micronutrients Analysis of Fresh and Canned “Agaricus Bisporus” and “Pleurotus Ostreatus” Mushroom Sold in Alexandria Markets, Egypt

“…The minerals of highest content are potassium, followed by phosphorous, calcium and magnesium [9,10]. Potassium is particularly abundant and accounts for nearly 45% of the total ash content [11]. Mushrooms provide small, but nutritionally important, amounts of iron with high bioavailability (up to 90% can be absorbed) [12].…”

Further biochemical profiling ofHypholoma fascicularemetabolome reveals its chemogenetic diversity

“…It was therefore predicted that mushroom forming basidiomycetes may produce certain novel compounds that are yet to be exploited (3). Although, basidiomycetes are known to produce certain mycotoxins with significant biological effects in human and agriculture, such as psilocybin from Psilocybe spp.…”

“…Although, H. fasciculare was reported in the literature as a rich source of terpenoids and organohalogens natural products, including fascicularones and anisaldehyde metabolites, their pharmaceutical properties and biological synthesis remains unsolved (all chemical produced by H. fasciculare from 1967 to 2019 are listed in figure S1in the supplementary information). In order to gain a greater understanding of the biology and the chemistry of H. fasciculare metabolome, we carried out a series of genetic manipulations, bioactivity assays and chemical analyses of H. fasciculare crude and pure extracts to detect their antimicrobial activities and to further investigate the metabolic potential of this fungus 3 in an attempt to bridge the gap between natural product innovation and antibacterial resistance.…”

Purification and characterization of an immuno-stimulatory compound from the water extract of royoporus badius (Pers.) A.B. De.

“…Mushrooms have been used as food and medicines since ancient times (Wasser, 2014). It was documented that mushrooms were consumed by Greek warriors in belief that they act as an energy booster during battle, while mushrooms were highly treasured by Egyptian Pharaohs as a delicacy (Rahi & Malik, 2016). In addition, ancient Romans believed that mushrooms were the "Food of the Gods", the Chinese worshipped mushrooms as the "elixir of life" for centuries, and the Japanese emperors highly valued the mushroom Lentinus edodes (Berk.)…”

“…Mushrooms belong to the Kingdom Fungi, and are classified alongside with bracket fungi, chanterelles, club and coral fungi, puffballs, stinkhorns, toadstools, as well as plant-parasitic rusts and smuts in the Basidiomycota division (Rahi & Malik, 2016). According to Wasser (2014), there are approximately 150,000 -160,000 mushroom species across the globe, and with an estimate of 90% which have yet to be explored.…”