Article

Identification and Quantification of Ergothioneine in Cultivated Mushrooms by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy

January 2006
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 8(3):215-222

DOI:10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v8.i3.30

Authors:

Robert Beelman

Pennsylvania State University

Devin G Peterson

The Ohio State University

Daniel J Royse

Pennsylvania State University

L-ergothioneine is a naturally occurring antioxidant that is available from dietary sources. There is a lack of an adequate assay applicable to identify and quantify this antioxidant in plant material. Thus, the objective was to identify and quantify the ergothioneine content of mushrooms including Agaricus bisporus (white and brown strains), Lentinus edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, and Grifola frondosa by an analytical method utilizing a high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Freeze dried mushroom powder was analyzed with two C18 columns in tandem utilizing an isocratic mobile phase consisting of an aqueous sodium phosphate buffer with 3% acetonitrile and 0.1% triethylamine. Ergothioneine was identified by matching the retention time and mass spectra of the authentic compound with the mushroom samples, while quantification was completed via absorbance at 254 nm. The ergothioneine content of the mushrooms ranged from 0.4-2.0 mg/g (dry wt). The white Agaricus bisporus contained the least ergothioneine and portabellas (brown) contained the highest within the varieties of A. bisporus. The specialty mushrooms tested (Lentinus edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, Grifola frondosa) all contained a statistically significant greater amount of ergothioneine compared to the A. bisporus; however, no significant difference was found between these specialty mushrooms.

Ergothioneine: an underrecognised dietary micronutrient required for healthy ageing?

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid and thiol antioxidant found in high amounts in mushrooms and fermented foods. Humans and animals acquire ergothioneine from the diet through the pH-dependent activity of a membrane transporter, the large solute carrier 22A member 4 (SLC22A4), expressed on the apical membrane of the small intestine. The SLC22A4 transporter also functions in the renal reabsorption of ergothioneine in the kidney, with avid absorption and retention of ergothioneine from the diet observed in both animals and humans. Ergothioneine is capable of scavenging a diverse range of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, has metal chelation properties, and is predicted to directly regulate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity. Although not lethal, the genetic knockout of the SLC22A4 gene in multiple organisms increases susceptibility to oxidative stress, damage and inflammation; in agreement with a large body of preclinical data suggesting the physiological function of ergothioneine is as a cellular antioxidant and cytoprotectant agent. In humans, blood levels of ergothioneine decline after the age of 60 years, and lower levels of ergothioneine are associated with more rapid cognitive decline. Conversely, high plasma ergothioneine levels have been associated with significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality and overall mortality risks. In this horizon’s manuscript, we review evidence suggesting critical roles for dietary ergothioneine in healthy ageing and the prevention of cardiometabolic disease. We comment on some of the outstanding research questions in the field and consider the question of whether or not ergothioneine should be considered a conditionally essential micronutrient.

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Nutritional impact of adding a serving of mushrooms on usual intakes and nutrient adequacy using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016 data

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Jan 2021

To evaluate the nutritional impact of adding a serving of mushrooms on usual intakes and population adequacy of nutrients the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2016 dietary data for 9–18 years and 19+ years and a composite of commonly consumed raw mushrooms as well as oyster mushrooms (nutrient profiles from USDA data) were used for modeling. Usual intakes of nutrients and the percent population below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or above the Adequate Intake (AI) were estimated before and after addition of mushrooms. Means with nonoverlapping 95th percentile confidence levels were used to assess meaningful differences. Addition of a serving (84 g) of mushrooms to the diet resulted in an increase in dietary fiber (5%–6%), copper (24%–32%), phosphorus (6%), potassium (12%–14%), selenium (13%–14%), zinc (5%–6%), riboflavin (13%–15%), niacin (13%–14%), and choline (5%–6%) in both adolescents and adults; and in iron (2.32%), thiamin (4.07%), folate (3.66%), and vitamin B6 (4.64%) in adults only, but had no impact on energy, carbohydrate, fat, or sodium. Addition of a serving of mushrooms also decreased the % below EAR for copper, phosphorus, and riboflavin for those 9–18 years and for copper, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamin B6 for those 19+ years and increased the % above AI for potassium for both age groups. Addition of oyster mushrooms additionally increased 12%–13% vitamin D, and 12%–15% choline in the NHANES 2011–2016 diets. Addition of mushrooms exposed to UV light to increase vitamin D levels to 5 µg/serving also almost doubled vitamin D intake (98%–104%) and decreased inadequacy. Addition of a serving of mushrooms would also add 2.2 mg ergothioneine and 3.5 mg glutathione to the diet. Addition of a mushroom serving to the diet would increase several micronutrients including shortfall nutrients, without having any impact on energy, sodium, or fat.

Bio-funcional components in mushrooms, a health opportunity: Ergothionine and huitlacohe as recent trends

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Feb 2021

Macrofungi, mushrooms or higher fungi have been employed for medicinal and food purposes for decades, nevertheless, also represent, a novel and fruitful source of biologically relevant compounds, that could serve as health enhancers in diverse human illness conditions; specially, mushrooms, are considered a relevant source of the distictive molecule – ergothioneine, an excellent supply of important antioxidant, which boosts human health and shows potential as a preservative in food, promoting their utilization as functional foods, in this context, the present review overviews and complies current knowledge and trends of nutrients as well as bioactive mushroom components including the potential of Huitlacoche and ergothioneine, and the possible health benefits of these biological products and their activities have been explored which enhances the utilization of mushrooms.

Aqueous Extracts of Mushrooms Enriched with Ergothionein with Antioxidant Activity and Its Effect on Human Dermal Fibroblasts UV irradiated

Article

Aug 2021

Abstract Ergotioneine (ERG) has potential applications as food additive and as an antioxidant for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases related to oxidative stress. In this work, we study the nature of antioxidant activity and investigate the effect of aqueous extracts of Agaricus bisporus enriched with ergotioneine (EAHE-ERG), a natural product, obtained through enzymatic digestion and membrane technology, in cellular response induced by UV, in crops fibroblasts. EAHE-ERG suppressed by the increase of TNF-α by UV-B radiation. Furthermore, in fibroblasts exposed to UV-A, EAHE-ERG suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 protein (MMP-1) in almost 50% and reduced the RNAm expression from MMP-1. From these results, we conclude that EAHE-ERG can reduce anti-aging effects of the skin from UV radiation by removing O 2 and 1O 2 , and the reduction protease signs and inflammatory activity.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Different Combinations of Submerged Cultured Mycelia of Medicinal Mushrooms

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Jul 2021
INT J MED MUSHROOMS

This research describes the investigation of submerged cultivated mycelial biomass and hot water extracts prepared from different combinations and ratios of medicinal mushroom (MM) dry powders, comprising various biologically active compounds/secondary metabolites. In particular, it was evaluated the proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude protein, fat, total carbohydrates, and total energy), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and ergothioneine (ERG), amino acid content of mycelia of 16 higher Basidiomycetes MM species. The results obtained demonstrate that almost all tested combinations were found to be good sources of polysaccharides, with content varying in the ranges of 4.73 ± 1.33% and 58.46 ± 4.15%. Total protein contents varied in 1.97 ± 0.40%-5.37 ± 0.40% range. ERG was detected in all tested samples, while GABA existed only in eight samples out of 15 and varied from 0.03 ± < 0.01 to 0.61 ± 0.03 mg/g, and from 0.16 ± 0.03 to 5.69 ± 0.41 mg/g respectively. Analyses of total phenolic and flavonoid contents demonstrate considerable content in all samples (15.53 ± 0.23-18.88 ± 0.34 mg gallic acid equivalents/g and 1.23 ± 0.04-4.34 ± 0.73 mg rutin equivalents/g respectively). In the present research, the complexity of samples/extracts were evaluated by multiple antioxidant assays to verify their antioxidant capacity. Determination of in vitro antioxidant activity was successfully carried out by several different methods such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, reducing power, chelating ability, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothi-azoline-6-sulfonic acid scavenging activity. Therefore, all tested samples confirm the capable antioxidant activities of bioactive compounds extracted from MMs.

Impact assessment on socio-economic profile of women mushroom growers in Samastipur district of Bihar

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May 2020

M ushroom cultivation is an important activity contributing to the livelihood security of the nation. It has been observed that women have immense role for mushroom cultivation as women can easily inculcate the technology to grow mushroom. The study was conducted in 4 villages of Samastipur district of Bihar. A total 60 respondents were selected from identified villages i.e. 15 respondents from each villages for "Impact assessment on socio economic profile of women mushroom growers". Data were collected with the interview and observation method. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were young aged (56.67%), 91.67 per cent were married, 65 per cent belongs to backward class and 71.66 per cent had joint family. M aximum (60%) of respondents had family income of Rs. 50,000-Rs. 80,000 per annum.

Chemical features and bioactivity of grain flours colonized by macrofungi as a strategy for nutritional enrichment

Article

Jun 2019
FOOD CHEM

Agaricus blazei, Auricularia fuscosuccinea and Pleurotus albidus mycelia were obtained in solid-state cultivation (SSC), using grains (brown rice, canjica corn and wheat) as raw material. Colonized grain flours were analysed for their nutritional, physical and physico-chemical characteristics and biological activity in vitro. Wheat flour with P. albidus showed higher values for protein (18.34 g/100 g), ergosterol (0.60 mg/g), mycelial biomass (183 mg/g) and total amino acids (58.34 mg/g). Corn flour with A. fuscosuccinea showed the highest total phenolic content (2.38 mg GAE/g), antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (8.90 μmol TEAC/g) and 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (16.52 μmol TEAC/g) assay. Wheat flour with P. albidus were more effective at inhibiting of pancreatic lipase (74.5%) and of α-glucosidase (98.2%). In conclusion, grains colonized by macrofungi mycelia through SSC can enrich the nutritional value and the biological activity of the flours, which presents a potential for functional foods.

Edible Mushrooms Reduce Atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Article

Jun 2019
J NUTR

Background: Commonly consumed mushrooms, portobello (PBM) and shiitake (SHM), are abundant in nutrients, soluble dietary fibers, and bioactive compounds that have been implicated as beneficial in reducing inflammation, improving lipid profiles, and ameliorating heart disease and atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease of the arteries. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine effects of PBM and SHM in preventing atherosclerosis and associated inflammation in an animal model. Methods: Four-week-old Ldlr-/- male mice were divided into 5 dietary groups for 16 wk: a low-fat control (LF-C, 11 kcal% fat), high-fat control (HF-C, 18.9 kcal% fat), HF + 10% (wt:wt) PBM (HF-PBM, 19.5 kcal% fat) or SHM (HF-SHM, 19.7 kcal% fat) powder, and HF + mushroom control mix (MIX-C, 19.6 kcal% fat), a diet best matched to the average macronutrient content of both mushrooms. Body composition was measured using MRI. Aortic tricuspid valves and aortas were collected and stained to quantify plaque formation. Adhesion molecule expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry. Plasma lipid and cytokine concentrations were measured. Results: We found that mice fed a HF-SHM diet had ∼86% smaller aortic lesion area than mice in both HF-C (P < 0.01) and MIX-C (P < 0.01) groups and also expressed 31-48% lower vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels (P < 0.05) than all other groups. Similarly, HF-PBM-fed mice displayed a 70% reduction in aortic lesion area in the tricuspid valve only (P < 0.05). Both mushroom-fed groups had lower weight gain and fat mass (P < 0.05) than the control groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that consumption of PBMs and particularly SHMs is effective in preventing development of high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- mice. Future studies will determine active components in mushrooms responsible for this beneficial effect.

Ergothioneine and its prospects as an anti-ageing compound

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Oct 2022

Healthy ageing is a crucial process that needs to be highlighted as it affects the quality of lifespan. An increase in oxidative stress along with ageing is the major factor related to the age-associated diseases, especially neurodegenerative disorders. An antioxidant-rich diet has been proven to play a significant role in the ageing process. Targeting ageing mechanisms could be a worthwhile approach to improving health standards. Ergothioneine (EGT), a hydrophilic compound with specific transporter known as OCTN1, has been shown to exert anti-ageing properties. In addition to its antioxidant effect, EGT has been reported to have anti-senescence, anti-inflammatory and anti-neurodegenerative properties. This review aims to define the pivotal role of EGT in major signalling pathways in ageing such as insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signalling (IIS), sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) and mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) pathways. The review further discusses evidence of EGT on neurodegeneration in its therapeutic context in various model organisms, providing new insights into improving health. In conclusion, an ergothioneine-rich diet may be beneficial in preventing age-related diseases, resulting in a healthy ageing population.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Five Medicinal Mushrooms of the Genus Pleurotus

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Aug 2022

Within the group of higher fungi, edible medicinal mushrooms have a long history of being used as food and in folk medicine. These species contain biologically active substances with many potential beneficial effects on human health. The Pleurotus genus is representative of medicinal mushrooms because Pleurotus ostreatus is one of the most commonly cultivated culinary mushrooms. In our study, we focused on lesser-known species in the genus Pleurotus and measured their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. We prepared extracts of the mushrooms and analyzed them using HPLC−HRMS, GC−MS, and 1H-NMR. Significant differences in biological activities were found among the Pleurotus spp. extracts. A MeOH extract of P. flabellatus was the most active as a radical scavenger with the highest ORAC, while a chloroform extract had significant anti-inflammatory COX-2 activity. The 80% MeOH extract of P. flabellatus contained the highest amounts of ergosterol, ergothioneine, and mannitol. The 80% MeOH extract of P. ostreatus Florida was the most active in the NF-κB inhibition assay and had the highest content of β-glucans (43.3% by dry weight). Given the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of P. flabellatus, the potential therapeutic usefulness of this species is worth evaluating through in-depth investigations and confirmation by clinical trials.

Applications of Fungal Mycelium-Based Functional Biomaterials

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Jun 2022

The utilization of biological systems has been receiving considerable attention in the past couple of decades in the development of bio-based functional materials. This has been largely inspired by the use of green, biodegradable, and environmentally sustainable materials for the development of new functional biomaterials. The utilization of renewable resources for the production of materials introduces fast-growing and biodegradable fungal mycelium-derived materials for various applications. Mycelium secretes enzymes and decomposes the substrate to take nutrients for growth and make an interwoven three-dimensional network. The elastic, porous, stiff, and dense mycelia are rich in antioxidants, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory compounds. The properties of mycelium-derived materials are greatly dependent upon the feeding substrate, fungus type, and processing conditions. Both pure mycelial materials and their composites secure an important position in the race of utilization of renewable resources for material synthesis. This chapter summarizes the utilization of mycelium-based materials for numerous applications like cosmetics, medicine, textile, construction, packaging, and the food industry. It also describes the potential of mycelial-derived materials as an alternative to the traditional insulators, packaging materials, and bovine leather. It further explains the importance of mycelium-based functional foods, cosmetics, and medicines.

A systematic study on mycochemical profiles, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of 30 varieties of Jew’s ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)

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The health-promoting properties and chemical profiles of 30 Jew’s ear mushroom varieties were investigated. The antioxidant properties were determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging, and metal chelating ability (MCA) assays, while phenolic profiles were determined by total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) colorimetric assays. Total carbohydrate, β-glucan, and melanin contents were determined by colorimetric methods. 5'-Nucleotides, vitamin D2, ergosterol, and ergothioneine contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Anti-inflammation activities of Jew’s ear were evaluated by the colorimetric protease inhibitory method. The results showed that Jew’s ear mushrooms possessed substantial phenolics and antioxidant properties. All the Jew’s ear varieties contain high amount of total carbohydrate, β-glucan, reducing sugar, melanin, pectin, vitamin D2, ergosterol, and ergothioneine. The current findings could provide scientific information for breeders to nurture desired varieties and for food industry to develop new health promoting products.

Antioxidant Activity of Mushroom Extracts/Polysaccharides—Their Antiviral Properties and Plausible AntiCOVID-19 Properties

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Mushrooms have been long accomplished for their medicinal properties and bioactivity. The ancients benefitted from it, even before they knew that there was more to mushrooms than just the culinary aspect. This review addresses the benefits of mushrooms and specifically dwells on the positive attributes of mushroom polysaccharides. Compared to mushroom research, mushroom polysaccharide-based reports were observed to be significantly less frequent. This review highlights the antioxidant properties and mechanisms as well as consolidates the various antioxidant applications of mushroom polysaccharides. The biological activities of mushroom polysaccharides are also briefly discussed. The antiviral properties of mushrooms and their polysaccharides have been reviewed and presented. The lacunae in implementation of the antiviral benefits into antiCOVID-19 pursuits has been highlighted. The need for expansion and extrapolation of the knowns of mushrooms to extend into the unknown is emphasized.

Ergothioneine exhibits longevity-extension effect in Drosophila Melanogaster via regulating of cholinergic neurotransmission, tyrosine metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation

Article

Dec 2021

Many studies have demonstrated the protective effect of ergothioneine (EGT), the unique sulfur-containing antioxidant found in mushrooms, on several aging-related diseases. Nevertheless, to date, no single study has explored the potential role of EGT in the lifespan of animal models. We show here that EGT consistently extends fly lifespan in diverse genetic backgrounds and both sexes, as well as in a dose and gender-dependent manner. Additionally, EGT is shown to increases the climbing activity of flies, enhance acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, and maintain the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG)of aged flies. The increase in lifespan by EGT is gut microorganism dependent. We proposed potential mechanisms of lifespan extension in Drosophila by EGT through RNA-seq analysis: preservation of the normal status of the central nervous system via the coordination of cholinergic neurotransmission, tyrosine metabolism, and peroxisomal proteins, regulation of autophagic activity by altering the lysosomal protein CTSD, and the preservation of normal mitochondrial function through controlled substrate feeding into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the major energy-yielding metabolic process in cells.

Aqueous Solutions of Peptides and Trialkylamines Lead to Unexpected Peptide Modification

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Oct 2021
MOLECULES

When trialkylamines are added to buffered solutions of peptides, unexpected adducts can be formed. These adducts correspond to Schiff base products. The source of the reaction is the unexpected presence of aldehydes in amines. The aldehydes can be detected in a few ways. Most importantly, they can lead to unanticipated results in proteomics experiments. Their undesirable effects can be minimized through the addition of other amines.

Mushroom Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmetic Industries

Chapter

Jul 2021

Nutritional impact of adding a serving of mushrooms to USDA Food Patterns – a dietary modeling analysis

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Full-text available

Feb 2021

Mushrooms are part of vegetables and are important source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. The objective was to assess the nutritional impact of adding a serving of mushrooms in USDA Food Patterns using a similar approach to that used by USDA for Dietary Guidelines. A composite of commonly consumed raw mushrooms (white, brown/crimini and portabella; at 1:1:1 ratio) and raw speciality mushrooms (oyster mushrooms) were used for modeling. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Data central database (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/) was used to obtain nutrient profiles of mushrooms. Nutritional profiles of USDAs Food Patterns were obtained from the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, Appendix E-3 (https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015-scientific-report/15-appendix-E3/) and dietary modeling was accomplished by adding nutrients from mushrooms. Addition of an 84 g serving of commonly consumed raw mushrooms to USDA Food Patterns resulted in about 1% increase in calories, less than 5% increase in macronutrients, 2-3% increase in fiber, 8-12% increase in potassium, 12-18% increase in riboflavin, 11-26% increase in niacin, 11-23% selenium and 16-26% increase in copper depending upon the pattern type and calorie level. Mushrooms exposed to UV light to increase vitamin D levels to 200 IU/serving also increased vitamin D by 67-90% in USDA Food Patterns. Addition of oyster mushroom also additionally increased 8-11% vitamin D and 10-16% choline in USDA Food Patterns. Addition of mushrooms had minimal effect on sodium (1% or less increase) and no effect on saturated fat or cholesterol in USDA Food Patterns. Based on published data, a serving of commonly consumed mushrooms would also be expected to add 2.2 mg ergothioneine and 3.5 mg glutathione to the USDA Food Patterns. Addition of mushrooms to USDA Food Patterns increased several micronutrients including shortfall nutrients (such as potassium, vitamin D and choline), and had a minimal or no impact on overall calories, sodium or saturated fat.

A review of mushrooms in human nutrition and health

Article

Jan 2021
TRENDS FOOD SCI TECH

Background mushrooms are traditionally used as a food ingredient and in folk medicine. Many in vitro and animal studies have reported their potential health effects, but without any clear application in human health. Although they have a worldwide history of use in dishes and folk medicine, mushroom extracts are commonly taken as supplements but need to be evaluated regarding clinical effects and safety, in particular among patients searching for further efficacy for their disease beside pharmacological treatments already prescribed. Scope and approach this review summarizes available data from the scientific literature about the nutritional and effects of mushrooms on human health by selecting clinical studies on humans in English. At the same time, the safety profile and unwanted effects were highlighted. Key findings and conclusions in spite of their wide use among populations, data on humans were scant and did not justify extensive use without more well-designed trials on mushroom efficacy. Overall, their use seems to be safe, but with some side effects, easily reversible after intake interruption. Nutritional use seems promising for coping with the energy surplus of the Western countries and could be useful for some nutritional aspects.

Synthesis and Applications of Fungal Mycelium-based Advanced Functional Materials

Article

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Jan 2021

Over the last couple of decades, the introduction of living systems to material science for the synthesis of functional materials from biological resources is receiving immense consideration. This is also in accordance with the need for green and sustainable development of new materials. For example, the growing concerns of the degradation of synthetic plastics are shifting the direction of materials-related research to the use of polymeric materials acquired from renewable resources. For example, the fungal mycelium-based materials are produced by growing the vegetative part of mushroom-forming fungi on different organic substrates. Such fungi are known for their ability to degrade agricultural wastes such as straws and sawdust. The mycelium-based composites having tailored structural, physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties are relying on the strain, feeding substrate, and the manufacturing process. The mycelium cell wall mainly contains the chitin, glucans, proteins, and lipids, whose concentrations depend upon the feeding substrate that ultimately defines the final properties of the synthesized materials. The mycelium-based functional materials with tunable properties are synthesized by selecting the desired components and the synthesis method. The pure and composites of stiff, elastic, porous, less dense, fast-growing, and low-cost mycelium-derived materials with efficient antimicrobial, antioxidant, and skin whitening properties pave their way in various applications such as construction, packaging, medicine, and cosmetics. This review describes the synthesis and structural organization of mycelium-based materials. It further discusses the effect of different factors on the material properties. Finally, it summarizes different applications of mycelium-based materials in medicine, cosmetics, packaging, and construction fields.

Bioactive compounds in some principal mushrooms: An association to adverse effects

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2020

Mushrooms are widely used in Asian medicine, both as dietary supplements and as nutraceutical foods. Some principal fungi have recently become popular in Europe for their nutritional and health benefits, and a large number of bioactive compounds have been isolated in several taxa showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor activities and other biological properties with great therapeutic application. Separate research has been done separately for the different species. The aim of the present review was to give an overview of the present knowledge regarding bioactive compounds in ten of the most common species, their options in therapeutic use and, for the first time, their possible toxicity or adverse effects. Boletus edulis, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Hericium erinaceus, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Lentinula edodes, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus, Poria cocos and Trametes versicol have great potential as functional foods and as a source of drugs for pharmaceutical science and medicine. Some adverse effects, however, were found to occur in individual daily consumption and during clinical trials. More research is needed to make a good rational use of these medicinal compounds.

Promising Anticancer Therapeutics From Mushrooms: Current Findings and Future Perceptions

Article

Oct 2020

Background: Nowadays medicines derived from natural sources have drawn much attention as potential therapeutic agents in the suppression and treatment of cancer because of their low toxicity and fewer side effects. Objective: The present review aims to assess the currently available knowledge on the ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of bioactive compounds obtained from medicinal mushrooms towards cancer treatment. Methods: Literature search has been conducted for the collection of research papers from universally accepted scientific databases. These research papers and published book chapters were scrutinized to retrieve information on ethnomedicinal uses of mushrooms, different factors involved in cancer cell proliferation, clinical and in silico pharmaceutical studies made for possible treatments of cancer using mushroom derived compounds. Overall 241 articles were retrieved and reviewed from the year of 1970 to 2020, out of which 98 relevant articles were finally considered for preparation of this review. Results: This review presents an update on the natural bioactive substances derived from medicinal mushrooms and their role in inhibiting the factors responsible for cancer cell proliferation. Along with it, the present review also provides information on the ethnomedicinal uses, solvents used for extraction of anticancer metabolites, clinical trials, and in silico studies that were undertaken towards anticancer drug development from medicinal mushrooms. Conclusion: The present review provides an extensive knowledge on various anticancer substances obtained from medicinal mushrooms, their biological actions and in silico drug designing approaches which could form a basis for the development of natural anticancer therapeutics.

Characterization of the Nutritional Composition of a Biotechnologically Produced Oyster Mushroom and its Physiological Effects in Obese Zucker Rats

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2020

Scope: Sustainable protein sources are needed to meet the increasing protein demands of a continuously growing world population. This study was focused on the biotechnological production of a protein rich oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju; PSC) by valorization of an agricultural side stream; and the evaluation of the physiological effects of PSC in a rat model of metabolic syndrome. Methods and results: PSC was produced via submerged cultivation in a 150 L bioreactor that utilized isomaltulose molasses as its sole carbon source, and was further analysed for its nutritional composition. A feeding trial was performed using Zucker rats which were fed a 5% PSC supplemented diet, for 4 weeks. Biochemical analyses revealed a significant reduction of the liver lipid concentrations and liver inflammation in the PSC fed obese rats in comparison to the obese rats from the control group. Hepatic qPCR analyses, differential transcript profiling and enzyme activity measurements revealed a number of altered pathways that may be responsible for these anti-steatotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the mushroom. Conclusion: Bioconversion of a low quality agricultural side stream to an improved protein source was performed by submerged cultured PSC, and the obtained mycelium showed strong anti-steatotic and anti-inflammatory effects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Successful biosynthesis of natural antioxidant ergothioneine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae required only two genes from Grifola frondosa

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2020
MICROB CELL FACT

Background: Ergothioneine (EGT) has a unique antioxidant ability and diverse beneficial effects on human health. But the content of EGT is very low in its natural producing organisms such as Mycobacterium smegmatis and mushrooms. Therefore, it is necessary to highly efficient heterologous production of EGT in food-grade yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results: Two EGT biosynthetic genes were cloned from the mushroom Grifola frondosa and successfully heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC1118 strain in this study. By optimization of the fermentation conditions of the engineered strain S. cerevisiae EC1118, the 11.80 mg/L of EGT production was obtained. With daily addition of 1% glycerol to the culture medium in the fermentation process, the EGT production of the engineered strain S. cerevisiae EC1118 can reach up to 20.61 mg/L. Conclusion: A successful EGT de novo biosynthetic system of S. cerevisiae containing only two genes from mushroom Grifola frondosa was developed in this study. This system provides promising prospects for the large scales production of EGT for human health.

مستخلصات فطر عیش الغراب الأبیض ( Agaricus bisporus ) تحمی من أوارم/سرطان الثدی وتصلب الشرایین معملیا خارج الجسم

Article

Jul 2018

دالیا محمد طلعت عبد الخالق

Antioxidant activities and metabolites in edible fungi, a focus on the almond mushroom agaricus subrufescens

Book

Jan 2017

Elucidating toxicodynamic differences at the molecular scale between ZnO NPs and ZnCl2 in Enchytraeus crypticus via nontargeted metabolomics

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The biology of ergothioneine, an antioxidant nutraceutical

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2020

Ergothioneine (ERG) is an unusual thio-histidine betaine amino acid that has potent antioxidant activities. It is synthesised by a variety of microbes, especially fungi (including in mushroom fruiting bodies) and actinobacteria, but is not synthesised by plants and animals who acquire it via the soil and their diet, respectively. Animals have evolved a highly selective transporter for it, known as solute carrier family 22, member 4 (SLC22A4) in humans, signifying its importance, and ERG may even have the status of a vitamin. ERG accumulates differentially in various tissues, according to their expression of SLC22A4, favouring those such as erythrocytes that may be subject to oxidative stress. Mushroom or ERG consumption seems to provide significant prevention against oxidative stress in a large variety of systems. ERG seems to have strong cytoprotective status, and its concentration is lowered in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. It has been passed as safe by regulatory agencies, and may have value as a nutraceutical and antioxidant more generally.

Mushroom consumption and incident risk of prostate cancer in Japan: A pooled analysis of the Miyagi Cohort Study and the Ohsaki Cohort Study

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Full-text available

Aug 2019

In vivo and in vitro evidence has shown that mushrooms have the potential to prevent prostate cancer. However, the relationship between mushroom consumption and incident prostate cancer in humans has never been investigated. In the present study, a total of 36,499 men, aged 40-79 years, who participated in the Miyagi Cohort Study in 1990 and in the Ohsaki Cohort Study in 1994 were followed for a median of 13.2 years. Data on mushroom consumption (categorized as <1, 1-2 and ≥3 times/week) was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for prostate cancer incidence. During 574,397 person-years of follow-up, 1,204 (3.3%) cases of prostate cancer were identified. Compared to participants with mushroom consumption <1 time/week, frequent mushroom intake was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer (1-2 times/week: HRs [95% CIs] = 0.92 [0.81, 1.05]; ≥3 times/week: HRs [95% CIs] = 0.83 [0.70, 0.98]; p-trend = 0.023). This inverse relationship was especially obvious among participants aged ≥50 years and did not differ by clinical stage of cancer and intake of vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy products. The present study showed an inverse relationship between mushroom consumption and incident prostate cancer among middle-aged and elderly Japanese men, suggesting that habitual mushroom intake might help to prevent prostate cancer.

Effect of optimized ultrasound‐assisted aqueous and ethanolic extraction of Pleurotus citrinopileatus mushroom on total phenol, flavonoids and antioxidant properties

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2019
J FOOD PROCESS ENG

Mushrooms are rich in phenolic compounds. The extraction of bioactive compounds from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) using ultrasonication was optimized. Central composite rotatable design was conducted to optimize the extraction of polyphenols in water and ethanol. The independent variables taken for extraction were temperature (30–55°C), ultrasonic treatment time (8.00–20.00 min) and solvent/solid ratio (20–50 mL/g) and the responses were total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant property. The parameters of ultrasonication frequency and power were kept constant. The optimized conditions for water extract were 44°C, 14 min, and 20 mL/g and that of ethanol extract were 39°C, 13 min, and 20 mL/g. Ultrasonication treatment time, temperature and solid to solvent ratio influenced the yield of phenolic acids which were reflected in the responses analyzed. The experimental values under optimal conditions were in good agreement with the predicted values. The study demonstrated that mushroom extract obtained by ultasonication has potential for its health beneficial properties. Practical Applications Mushroom is a very good source of bioactive compounds. But being perishable in nature, it loses its functional properties very quickly after harvesting. The bioactive compounds can be extracted from mushroom and can be incorporated in different foods for their enrichment. This study showed that ultrasound‐assisted (UAE) extraction has potential as an emerging technique for extraction of bioactive compounds from plant sources. UAE showed higher yield of polyphenolic compound with higher antioxidant activity as compared to the conventional extraction methods. Moreover, UAE resulted in less consumption of time and energy than the conventional methods. The results indicate that ultrasound assisted extraction can be promoted as a extraction technique by different food industries.

Adoption Level and Constraints in Scientific Oyster Mushroom Cultivation among Rural Women in Bihar

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2015

A study was conducted at District Banka, Bihar through Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banka which comes under the jurisdiction of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour Bhagalpur. The KVK is working with ICAR mandates for scientific knowledge for agriculture and its allied sectors. It can be transmitted through effective extension means to the farmers. Rural women can use this knowledge to improve their livelihood. KVK's are playing a major role across the rural economy especially for women empowerment. KVK's role in this sector is crucial as it is ideally placed to disseminate field-tested proven technologies with appropriate modulations which addressed location specific problems and concerns on the prevailing natural and socioeconomic conditions. In this study, extent of adoption of twelve selected scientific cultivation of oyster mushroom practices were measured. To measure the extent of adoption and to compare the impact of training on the extent of adoption, 75 number of respondents were selected from trained farm women and the same number of respondents were selected from surrounding area who had not been trained. Study was conducted in three different ways-firstly; all respondents were interviewed and categorized into three groups of high, medium and low category of farmers for adoption of scientific cultivation practices of oyster mushroom. Secondary, overall adoption for both categories of respondents was measured and lastly difference between the adoptions of both categories of respondents was measured in terms of adoption of different practices of mushroom cultivation. High level of adoption was seen in adopting knowledge of sanitation (80% in trained categories) and (44% in untrained categories), whereas minority of farmers were falling under medium adaptors. Majority of the respondents (45.33 % in trained category) found to be high level of adoption, while (40 % in un trained category) found to be low level of adoption for scientific cultivation of mushroom. T test found to be highly significant for all the cultivation practices, except purchase of spawn from other sources. Unavailability of fresh spawn had highly significant and positive correlation (0.324**) with overall constraints.

Ergothioneine: new functional factor in fermented foods

Article

Mar 2023
CRIT REV FOOD SCI

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a high-value natural sulfur-containing amino acid and has been shown to possess extremely potent antioxidant and cytoprotective activities. At present, EGT has been widely used in food, functional food, cosmetics, medicine, and other industries, but its low yield is still an urgent problem to overcome. This review briefly introduced the biological activities and functions of EGT, and expounded its specific applications in food, functional food, cosmetic, and medical industries, introduced and compared the main production methods of EGT and respective biosynthetic pathways in different microorganisms. Furthermore, the use of genetic and metabolic engineering methods to improve EGT production was discussed. In addition, the incorporation of some food-derived EGT-producing strains into fermentation process will allow the EGT to act as a new functional factor in the fermented foods.

Sulfur-Containing Compounds from Fungi

Chapter

Feb 2023

Sulfur contributes greatly to the chemical richness of nature and, due to its unique properties, enables essential biological interactions that no other element can. Sulfur-containing compounds are bioactive/nutraceuticals substances from different sources, including fungi. They comprise sulfur atoms that are cyclically or noncyclically bonded to a cyanate group or a carbon atom. Sulfur-containing compounds, already identified in various mushrooms species, include compounds such as ergothioneine (EGT), glutathione (GSH), and lenthionine (LT). These compounds exhibit important therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative, and antiplatelet characteristics potentially useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders and diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and even diabetes. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the generally recognized sulfur-containing compounds from fungi covering the distribution in species, and genera, as well as the extraction and identification by contemporary analytical techniques. The biosynthetic elements of fungal sulfur compounds, as well as the state of art concerning their biological activities, are also discussed.

Mushroom Farm Design, Management of Pests, and Control of Diseases

Chapter

Jan 2021

Most mushroom farming has been carried out using classical farming practices, giving one of the main reasons for low mushroom yield; in traditional mushroom farms routine practices are more labor intensive. Moreover, controlling insects, pests, and diseases is much more challenging and needs more vigilance. However, adapting innovative agricultural techniques can improve overall efficiency and productivity at a mushroom farm. One of the most advanced technologies is the application of the Internet of Things (IoT), which provides remote access to daily farm operations, and insect and pest control to the farmers. This sensor-based technique can be used to monitor crucial environmental factors including humidity, light, moisture, and temperature at a mushroom farm. The long-term benefits of semi- or fully automated farms result in high productivity, less labor, and reduced cost of production. Aside from the surrounding environmental conditions, controlling biotic stresses is also a challenging task at a mushroom farm. These may include insect pests, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and some viral diseases. The use of synthetic chemical products at a mushroom farm can be hazardous to mushroom cultivation; thus, integrated pest management (IPM) and use of modern molecular approaches to confer natural resistance to biotic stresses can be effective control measures.

Fungal Cosmetics: Mushrooms in Beauty Care and the New Age of Natural Cosmetics

Chapter

Jan 2022

Mushrooms are known to contain several bioactive compounds that include terpenoids, selenium, phenolics, polyphenolics, vitamins, polysaccharides, and volatile organic compounds. The oil-soluble and water-soluble mushroom extracts are used in several cosmetic and personal care products for their properties. Numerous mushrooms are used as functional “do-good” ingredients in cosmetic formulations by several cosmetic companies worldwide. The functional claims of mushroom extracts in commercial products include such as anti-aging, anti-oxidant, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, skin lightening, moisturizing, anti-acne and anti-dandruff (AD) effects. Eight ready-to-use recipes of different cosmetic formulations fortified with mushroom extracts are provided in the chapter for the benefit of entrepreneurs and researchers in the cosmetic industry.KeywordsFungal cosmeticsMushroomsSkin-careHair-careCosmeticsCosmeceuticalsNutricosmeticsAnti-agingAnti-oxidantAnti-dandruff

Anti-Aging Properties of Medicinal Mushrooms in Systemic Aesthetic Medicine

Chapter

Mar 2022

Medicinal mushrooms are a rich source of bioactive molecules, nutraceutic products, as well as natural co-formulants and excipients. The fungal cell wall is rich in branched polysaccharides (mainly β-glucans), peptidic residues, and chitin or chitosan. A plethora of secondary metabolites with current or potential application includes e.g. terpenoids, polyketides, ceramides, polyphenolics, l-ergothioneine and others.Mushroom application in cosmetics has been explored for a few decades only, but the increasing demand for bio-based products has stimulated this research field. Strategies against skin aging are the main target of cosmetic and cosmeceutic applications. Based on an integrated approach that pursues psycho-physical wellness, Systemic Aesthetic Medicine focuses on both external (creams, lotions) and internal (food supplements) uses of fungal molecules and extracts, besides the introduction in the diet of bulk fungal biomass (nutritional strategy). Far beyond the pure cosmetology, Systemic Aesthetic Medicine in fact focuses on prevention and treatment of skin diseases and cutaneous symptoms. Main properties reported from mushrooms at this concern include: hydration, anti-oxidant, acceleration of skin cells turnover, stimulation of skin bio-reparation, antiseptic, and immunomodulant.KeywordsMedicinal mushroomsSkinSystemic aesthetic medicineCosmeticCosmeceutic

Effect of different substrates on Pleurotus spp. cultivation in Brazil - Ergothioneine and lovastatin

Article

Jan 2022
J FOOD COMPOS ANAL

Pleurotus spp is one of the most widely consumed mushroom genera in the world. But how the culture medium affects the synthesis of bioactive compounds by this fungus is still unclear. This study evaluated nine strains of Pleurotus spp. from Brazil, grown in Pinus sp. sawdust (SCM-PSW), organic grape waste (OGW), or coffee grounds (CG) on productivity, nutritional composition, ergothioneine, and lovastatin synthesis. Strains cultivated in SCM-PSW presented similar values of yield, biological efficiency, and productivity, while those cultivated in OGW or CG presented superior results. Strains cultivated in CG presented higher protein content (41D; 46.60 ± 0.09 g/100 g). Maltose was the most abundant sugar detected in the SCM-PSW medium (PS-2001; 17.51 ± 0.12 g/100 g). Strains grown in SCM-PSW also presented higher dietary fiber content compared to CG and OGW. Basidiome of 41D strain, grown in SCM-PSW and CG, showed the highest ergothioneine content. For mycelium grown in Petri dish, the highest ergothioneine content was in 122H.5 strain, whereas, for those from submerged cultivation, it was obtained in PS-2001. Higher content of lovastatin was detected in the 41D strain. Results suggest that Pleurotus spp. can expand its content of ergothioneine and lovastatin using OGW as substrate.

Health Consequences of Improving the Content of Ergothioneine in the Food Supply

Article

Dec 2021

Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory amino acid that is highly bioavailable to humans from the diet. ERGO is now regarded by some as a "longevity vitamin" that has the potential to mitigate some chronic diseases of aging and thereby increase life expectancy when present in adequate amounts. However, only limited knowledge exists regarding ERGO content in the human diet. Since ERGO is produced primarily by fungi, mushrooms are known to be the leading dietary source, but ERGO is found in relatively low amounts throughout the food chain as a result of soil-borne fungi or bacteria passing it on to plants through their roots. Some conventional agricultural practices that negatively impact soil fungi, such as excessive soil disturbance (plowing), can significantly reduce ERGO content of food crops when compared to regenerative practices such as eliminating tillage of the soil (No-Till). This has led us to the concept that ERGO may be a definitive connection between soil health and human health.

A novel antioxidant ergothioneine PET radioligand for in vivo imaging applications

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2021

Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a rare amino acid mostly found in fungi, including mushrooms, with recognized antioxidant activity to protect tissues from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) components. Prior to this publication, the biodistribution of ERGO has been performed solely in vitro using extracted tissues. The aim of this study was to develop a feasible chemistry for the synthesis of an ERGO PET radioligand, [11C]ERGO, to facilitate in vivo study. The radioligand probe was synthesized with identical structure to ERGO by employing an orthogonal protection/deprotection approach. [11C]methylation of the precursor was performed via [11C]CH3OTf to provide [11C]ERGO radioligand. The [11C]ERGO was isolated by RP-HPLC with a molar activity of 690 TBq/mmol. To demonstrate the biodistribution of the radioligand, we administered approximately 37 MBq/0.1 mL in 5XFAD mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease via the tail vein. The distribution of ERGO in the brain was monitored using 90-min dynamic PET scans. The delivery and specific retention of [11C]ERGO in an LPS-mediated neuroinflammation mouse model was also demonstrated. For the pharmacokinetic study, the concentration of the compound in the serum started to decrease 10 min after injection while starting to distribute in other peripheral tissues. In particular, a significant amount of the compound was found in the eyes and small intestine. The radioligand was also distributed in several regions of the brain of 5XFAD mice, and the signal remained strong 30 min post-injection. This is the first time the biodistribution of this antioxidant and rare amino acid has been demonstrated in a preclinical mouse model in a highly sensitive and non-invasive manner.

The current status of biotechnological production and the application of a novel antioxidant ergothioneine

Article

Feb 2021
CRIT REV BIOTECHNOL

Ergothioneine is a sulfur-containing histidine derivative, that possessesexcellent antioxidant activity and has been used in the food and cosmetics industries. It plays a significant role in anti-aging and the prevention of various diseases. This review will briefly introduce the functions and applications of ergothioneine, elaborate the biosynthetic pathways of ergothioneine and describe several strategies to increase the production of ergothioneine. Then the efficient extraction and detection methods of ergothioneine will be presented. Finally, several proposals are put forward to increase the yield of ergothioneine, and the development prospects of ergothioneine will be discussed.

Regulation of cancer cell signaling pathways as key events for therapeutic relevance of edible and medicinal mushrooms

Article

Mar 2020

Mushrooms, both edible and medicinal have received considerable attention against cancer due to their polysaccharides, polysaccharides-protein complexes and low molecular weight secondary metabolites content. Every year, millions of people die because of this disease. Existing cancer therapies are poised with questions of efficacy, toxicity and adverse effects, hence justifying the search for finding new, alternative and efficient means to fend off the disease. Mushrooms and their derived active molecules can prevent oncogenesis and tumour metastasis via directly inhibiting tumour cells growth or indirectly improving immunity functions and by acting as chemotherapy adjuvants. While the mechanisms of such effects are not fully known, the roles of the bioactive compounds on cell signaling pathways involved in the promotion and progression of the disease appear to be key, particularly in view of their role(s) in multiple cellular processes, including cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. This review discusses the aberrant cell signaling pathways involved in inhibition of tumour cell growth as target for mushrooms and their bioactive compounds as well as the associated challenges for the molecules therein to be successfully considered as preventive/therapeutic agents against cancer.

Ab initio molecular dynamics of free radical-induced oxidation of ergothioneine

Article

Nov 2019

Laure Lespade

Ergothioneine (2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine) is a very stable natural compound largely present in cells and tissues of plants and mammals. The biological role of ET is still incompletely understood but its antioxidant properties are well assessed experimentally. However, no theoretical study had been performed until now to analyze the first steps of the reactions between this natural compound and strong oxidants in order to gain more knowledge on the reaction mechanisms. In this paper, the reaction of ergothioneine with two strong oxidants, hydroxyl radical and peroxinitrite, is modeled in a cluster of forty to fifty water molecules by ab-initio molecular dynamics. The reaction of hydroxyl radical with ergothioneine consists in electron transfer. When hydroxyl radical is initially situated near the sulfur atom, the reaction is not barrier less but passes through a transition state formed by a strong adduct. Otherwise, the charge transfer occurs when the two reactants and a “wire” of water molecules form a loop allowing the charge flow.

Mushrooms: Natural factory of anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory, analgesic and nutrition

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2018

Mushrooms have been consumed as food items and medications since earliest history; old Greeks had a strong faith that mushrooms gave strength to warriors in fight and the Romans saw them as the "Food of the Gods". For hundreds of years, the Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a wellbeing nourishment, an "elixir of life." They have been a piece of the human culture for thousands of years and had been the item of considerable interest for the most essential civic establishments in history on account of their sensory attributes. Likewise, they additionally incorporate numerous bioactive metabolites which make mushrooms and truffles regular parts in medication, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, China and Japan. It is accounted for and in some cases have demonstrated that mushrooms have numerous pharmacological and remedial activity including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, nutraceutical and numerous others. However, this attempt has been made to concentrate on the short reviews of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and food values of mostly used mushrooms all over the world.

L-Ergothioneine: A Potential Bioactive Compound from Edible Mushrooms

Chapter

May 2019

Edible mushrooms possess health-promoting bioactive compounds and are used throughout the world for their extensive medicinal properties. One of the unique bioactive compounds found in mushrooms is the water-soluble thiol-containing antioxidant amino acid, L-ergothioneine (LE). It is a stable antioxidant molecule and does not degrade at high temperature and high pH. L-Ergothioneine is not synthesized by plants and animals, including human. Therefore, LE is obtained through dietary sources, mainly from edible mushrooms such as Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus and Grifola frondosa. These mushroom species have been reported to have a high LE content in them. LE is considered as a molecule for longevity and referred to as longevity vitamin. In this chapter, we have described the sources, the cytoprotective mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of LE.

Mushrooms: Natural factory of anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory, analgesic and nutrition

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2018

Mushrooms: Natural factory of anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory, analgesic and nutrition

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2018

Micronutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Mushrooms: A Recipe for Healthy Aging?

Article

Jan 2019
Nutr Today

Mushrooms have been used both as food and as medicine in many cultures, and their popularity as both is growing in the United States. We have shown that they are inherently, or can easily be made to be, excellent dietary sources of 4 important bioactive compounds that are all known to decease in humans as they age. These are the micronutrients selenium and vitamin D 2 and antioxidants glutathione and ergothioneine (Ergo). All of these except for Ergo can be found in significant amounts in other foods; hence, it will be the primary focus of this review. Because Ergo is made in nature primarily by nonyeast fungi, mushrooms are by far the best human dietary source. Humans produce a highly specific transport protein for Ergo that makes it highly bioavailable and avidly retained, leading many to speculate about its potential importance to human health because such specific transporters are rarely present for nonnutrient bioactive compounds. Ergo is found in small amounts throughout the food chain presumably owing to fungi in the soil passing it on to plants and then animals that eat them. We have preliminary evidence that Ergo levels in the American food supply might be compromised because of reduced fungal populations in agricultural soils caused by some cultivation practices. Relationships observed between estimated Ergo consumption and average longevity and reductions in chronic neurodegenerative diseases across different countries supports additional interest in Ergo as a dietary chemopreventive agent for aging-related diseases.

The uptake of ergothioneine from the soil into the latex of Hevea brasiliensis

Article

Nov 1968

Complexing of copper ion by ergothioneine

Article

Nov 1976

Concurrent redox and complexation reactions between copper (II) and ergothioneine (ESH) have been investigated by means of optical, electron spin resonance (ESR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. An equimolar mixture of Cu (II) with ESH gave rise to a green complex. This complex showed an asymmetric peak at 675 nm assigned to d-d transition of Cu (II). The ESR spin Hamiltonian parameters (g&parsl;=2.246, g&bottom;=2.068, and A&parsl;=158G) of the green complex were typical for the Cu (II) complex of sulfur coordination. In the presence of two molar or excess ESH to Cu (II), an yellow Cu (I) complex was formed. The result of 13C-NMR measurements supports that ESH also coordinates to Cu (I) ion through the thiolate sulfur in the yellow complex.

The reduction of ferryl myoglobin by ergothioneine: A novel function for ergothioneine

Article

Sep 1990

In this paper, we demonstrate that ergothioneine (ES), a naturally occurring thiolhistidine, reduces ferrylmyoglobin (MbIV) to MbIII when the former (ferryl species) is produced by exposing either deoxy MbII or MbIII to H2O2. The reduction of MbIV to MbIII by ES yields the disulfide of ES which the addition of GSH promptly reduces back to ES. The addition of ES (100 microM) in the perfusion buffer of Langendorff rat heart preparations exposed to a brief period of ischemia prevents the myocardial damage (lactate dehydrogenase release) which accompanies reperfusion. The results of these experiments support a view that ES and its redox couple GSH might function in a Mb redox cycle.

In search of a physiological function for L-ergothioneine — II

Article

Jan 1986
MED HYPOTHESES

Marvin C. Brummel

Since its discovery at the turn of the century, attempts to define a physiological function for L-ergothioneine have been unsuccessful. This paper suggests several possible functions for this enigmatic compound or its metabolites. These include: transport of cations or carbon dioxide, catalysis of carboxylation or decarboxylation reactions, mediation of thyroid or antithyroid function, histaminic or antihistaminic action, and cholinergic or anticholinergic action.

Ergothioneine in the central nervous system

Article

Feb 1972

I Briggs

— Further investigations have been made into ergothioneine in the brains of several mammalian species, and the distribution of ergothioneine in the brain of the ox is described. It has not been possible to confirm many of the findings of earlier workers and the results do not appear to support their conclusion that ergothioneine is identical with the cerebellar factor.

Studies on ergothioneine. VI. Distribution and fluctuations of ergothioneine in rats

Article

Jun 1982

(1) Ergothioneine is contained as a component of the organella membranes in the rat liver, and is liberated by heat treatment or dithiothreitol treatment. The amount of bound form increases with aging up to 11 weeks of age, and then decreases. All of the ergothioneine measured by the normal determination procedures can be considered to be free form. (2) Ergothioneine is bound to proteins in the blood plasma, but is present in free form in erythrocytes. (3) Biosynthesis of ergothioneine from amino acids in rats was not detectable. Ergothioneine is ingested from the diet and accumulated in the body. (4) When dietary ergothioneine is restricted for 18 weeks, the amount in the liver falls to a threshold value but apparently does not fall further, and no deficiency symptoms are observed. (5) Experimental ergothioneine-free rats were successfully produced in the second generation (born to parent rats fed on ergothioneine-free diet).

Ergothioneine content in normal and senile human cataractous lenses

Article

Apr 1981
INDIAN J MED RES

Ergothioneine Distribution in Bovine and Porcine Ocular Tissues

Article

Jun 1997
Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol

Ergothioneine (ERT), is a low molecular weight, sulfur-containing antioxidant occurring in up to millimolar amounts in mammalian tissues. Using an improved HPLC assay, ERT levels have been measured and compared in bovine and porcine eyes and erythrocytes. The rank order of ERT levels in bovine ocular tissue was lens > retina = cornea > pigmented retinal epithelium (RPE) > aqueous humor (AQ) > vitreous humor (VIT) > sclera. In porcine ocular tissue, the rank order was retina > AQ > VIT > RPE > cornea > lens > sclera. ERT levels in bovine lens were about 250 x > that in porcine lens. Porcine erythrocyte levels were 5.5 x > bovine levels. Species differences were also observed in the retina, VIT and AQ where porcine levels were 2 to 10-fold greater than bovine levels. ERT in bovine lens and cornea was 35 and 14 times greater than the corresponding level of reduced glutathione (GSH). Porcine lens had 45 times more GSH than ERT. Values for ERT and GSH in other tissues from both species were of the same order of magnitude. These results are consistent with a role for ERT in prevention of oxidative damage to the eye.

Studies on the orgin of ergothioneine in animals

Article

Apr 1955

Identification and Quantification of Ergothioneine in Cultivated Mushrooms by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy

Abstract

No full-text available

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