Diversity of Wild Mushrooms in Nagaland, India

The Indian sub-continent is blessed with favorable agro climatic conditions that are suitable to a varied range of fungal species. Though the occurrence of mushrooms is of diverse nature, they are not well studied and documented. Northeastern region of India is one of the biodiversity hotspots. Nagaland is one of the Northeastern states of India. The people of the state highly covet mushrooms and have been a delicacy since time immemorial. The present study documents the macro fungal diversity in various districts of the state. A total of 87 species of wild mushrooms were collected and identified. They are parasitic, saprophytic and ecto-mycorrhizal in habitat. The highest numbers of mushroom species were collected during May–September from the study areas. Of the collected mushrooms, 37 species were identified as edible, 21 species medicinal, 5 poisonous and 37 inedible/unclassified.

Comparative study of protein pattern changes and mineral composition in cultivated and newly domesticated wild Flammulina velutipes

A wild strain of Flammulina velutipes indigenous to Iran has been recently adapted for artificial cultivation,requiring nutritional information in order to improve its utilization as a medicinal-culinary mushroom.Thus,the current study aimed to evaluate protein profile of this domesticated wild F.velutipes strain over six different developmental stages,in comparison with a commercially cultivated strain of F.velutipes.Various macro-and microelements were also investigated in the mature sporomes cultivated in a lignocellulosic substrate composed of 40%wheat straw+40%sawdust+18%wheat bran+1%lime+1%gypsum.The lowest and highest amounts of protein were observed in primordia(33%of dry matter)and sporomes picked at the third or fifth day of harvesting(57%of dry matter),respectively(p≤0.05),followed by an obvious decrease in protein content at the late stages of harvesting(p≤0.05).Further SDS-PAGE analyses revealed that the protein molecular mass increased from less than 30 kDa in primordia to 235 kDa in mature sporomes.However,no significant difference in protein profiling was noticed between the wild and the reference strains of any given stage(p≥0.05).While nutritional elements such as K,P and Mg were found at 886.9,745.2,and 142.7 mg/100 g of dry weight,respectively,no heavy metals was found at levels higher than the provisional maximum tolerable intake in the sporomes.This study may be considered an initial step towards recognition of the wild F.velutipes as a non-toxic functional food,warranting further proteomics studies.

A Systematic Review of Biodiversity and Conservation of Indigenous Mushrooms(Basidiomycotina,Ascomycotina)of Central Africa Countryside:Uses,Distribution and Checklists

Significant socio-economic,spiritual,nutritional and medicinal needs of the countrysides in Central Africa region are obtainable from macrofungi.Conversely,anthropogenic activities and climate change have led to a reduction in the habitats of mushrooms which has led to some mushrooms becoming endangered.A dearth of information on the ecology,management and composition of mushrooms in Central Africa exists.Hence a review was systematically carried out on published mycological research outcomes from Central African countryside,to delineate the way forward.It was observed that the level of indigenous mycological knowledge was very high(>60%)in all the tribes.The highest number of edible mushrooms was from Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)(377 species),followed by Cameroon(50 species).The dataset showed that 448 edible mushrooms have been identified based on citable publications and 27 tribes/localities evaluated.Additionally the dataset showed 116 author-identified mushrooms that inhabitants did not identify and use.The most popular edible mushrooms from 79 key edible mushrooms were Russula(9 spp.),Termitomyces(8),Cantharellus(8),Plerotus(5),Amanita(5),Marasmius,Lactarius and Lactifluus(4 spp.each).The topmost consumed species were Pleurotus tuber-regium(14 out of 27 localities),Auricularia cornea(13),Cantharellus congolensis(12),Marasmius bekolacongoli(12),Schizophyllum commune(11)and Cantharellus floridulus(11).Mushrooms for mythology uses:(Phallus indusiatus and Dictyophora sp.),Mythology+food:(Termitomyces robustus),Medicinal:(Daldinia concentrica,Ganoderma applanatum and Ganoderma lucidum),Medicinal+food:(Polyporus dictyopus,Schizophyllum commune and Termitomyces clypeatus)and Food+mythology+medicinal:(Termitomyces microcarpus and Termitomyces titanicus).Irrefutably,these previous ethnomycological and ecological studies have scarcely made a significant impact on fungi biodiversity.

Global perspectives on the ecological,cultural and socioeconomic relevance of wild edible fungi

Wild edible fungi(WEF),including mushrooms and truffles,comprise a natural source of nutritious and healthy food.The consumption of WEF began at least 18,700 years ago during the Stone Age.Current data from over 100 countries indicates the existence of more than 2,100 edible species,a figure that is continually growing,as vast regions and many cultures remain understudied.However,only around 30 species of WEF are grown commercially at a large-scale.WEF also play a key ecological role in the structure and functioning of natural ecosystems and have significantly contributed in shaping all life on the planet.Either as food,medicine or both,they are important for the survival,cultures,and economies of hundreds of ethnic groups around the globe.Over the last 15 years,there has been a noteworthy increase in the international trade of WEF,which is currently estimated at billions(USD)annually.In 2017,the WEF global trade,of either fresh or processed products,exceeded 1,230,000 tonnes.Due to their ecological,sociocultural and economic importance,the international WEF trade has a role to play in the post-pandemic recovery period.The main challenge of this period will be maintaining natural ecosystems while simultaneously improving human wellbeing.Critical elements of this challenge include ensuring food security,enhancing rural development,creating sustainable jobs,mitigating hunger,and slowing the loss of traditional knowledge generated over millennia.This review analyzes the ways in which sustainable use of WEF could contribute to achieving these goals.

The coral mushrooms Ramaria and Clavaria

The need to improve the quality life together with the increase in the frequency of threating diseases direct the attention of many scientists to look for potential foods as a source of nutritional and therapeutical agents.Since ancient times,several mushrooms have been reported as a nutritious food with valuable medicinal properties.The genus Ramaria and Clavaria belonging to coral fungi are a group of edible mushrooms that are distributed all over the world.The studies on different species of Ramaria and Clavaria have revealed their medicinal potentials.This review aims to present the importance of genera Ramaria and Clavaria as both food and medicine,and they offer new insights to researchers to develop new drugs and nutraceuticals.

Comparison of Protein and Amino Acids in the Extracts of Two Edible Mushroom, <i>Pleurotus sajor-caju</i>and <i>Schizophyllum commune</i>

This study was undertaken to determine total protein (%) and profiles of amino acid and made comparison between the aqueous and organic solvent extracted mushroom. Extraction was made from two edible, Pleurotus sajor-caju (commercial) and Schizophyllum commune (wild) types of mushrooms. Four types of solvents were used for the extraction include 100% aqueous, 50% ethanol, 50% methanol and 50% acetone. True protein of mushroom extract was analyzed with colorimetric Lowry method and amino acids were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). The range of 1.06% to 3.43% and 1.30% to 2.17% total protein value were obtained in the extracts of P. sajor-caju and S. commune respectively, while the highest total protein of 3.43% was determined in aqueous extracted P. sajor-caju mushroom. The amount of total amino acids of S. commune and P. sajor-caju were in the range of 308.65 mg/g to 443.84 mg/g and 172.52 mg/g to 400.76 mg/g, respectively. The highest content of 443.84 mg/g total amino acids and 77.08 mg/g of essential amino acids were obtained in the aqueous extracted Schizophyllum commune. On the other hand the total content of essential amino acids (EAA). Essential amino acid of both mushrooms was dominated by leucine along with threonine and alanine, but the highest contents were determined from the extract of Schizophyllum commune. Aqueous extraction was effective in both types of mushroom for the protein components as well essential amino acids compared to other organic solvents that were used in extraction process in this study.

Porcini mushrooms(Boletus sect.Boletus)from China

Porcini mushrooms(Boletus sect.Boletus)have both economic and ecological importance.Recent molecular phylogenetic study has uncovered rich species diversity of this group of fungi from China.In this study,the Chinese porcini were characterized by both morphological andmolecular phylogenetic evidence.15 species were recognized,including nine new species,namely B.botryoides,B.fagacicola,B.griseiceps,B.monilifer,B.sinoedulis,B.subviolaceofuscus,B.tylopilopsis,B.umbrinipileus and B.viscidiceps.Three previously described species,viz.B.bainiugan,B.meiweiniuganjun and B.shiyong,were revised,and B.meiweiniuganjun is treated as a synonym of B.bainiugan.A key to the Chinese porcini mushrooms was provided.