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There are about 40 species in the Pleurotus genus, including those with high economic significance, i.e. P. ostreatus and P. pulmonarius. The fruiting bodies of oyster mushrooms are of high nutritional and health-promoting value. In addition, many species belonging to the Pleurotus genus have been used as sources of substances with documented medicinal properties, such as high-molecular weight bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, peptides and proteins) and low-molecular weight compounds (terpenoids, fatty acid esters and polyphenols). The bioactive substances contained in the mycelium and fruiting bodies of Pleurotus species exhibit immunostimulatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-oxidative properties. Their multidirectional positive influence on the human organism is the result of interaction of bioactive substances. Extracts from individual Pleurotus species can be used for the production of dietary supplements increasing the organism’s immunity. They are also used for the production of cosmetics. They can be added to functional foods as probiotics, or used as natural preservatives or ingredients of special foodstuffs for patients with specific diseases.

The white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach is an edible mushroom of top economic significance. In recent years the consumption of fruiting bodies of this species has been increasing in Poland. The article characterises the chemical composition and health-promoting properties of white button mushrooms. The latest scientific research confirms that the fruiting bodies of white button mushroom have high nutritional value. They contain good quality proteins, necessary unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, some vitamins and numerous minerals. Apart from that, white button mushroom fruiting bodies contain a wide range of bioactive substances, which have a positive influence on health, such as polysaccharides, glyco-proteins, tocopherols, polyphenols and other antioxidants, e.g. ergothioneine. Apart from the antioxidant properties, the white button mushroom also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and anti-atherosclerotic activities.

White rot fungi (WRF) are known to have the ability to degrade organic pollutants with a structure similar to lignin. Because of this, the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners no. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180 by substrate before fruiting (substrate) and/or after fruiting (SMS) from cultivated mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus was examined. The experiment was carried out in four replications for each treatment using a mixture of substrate/SMS and sandy soil with PCBs at a concentration of each congener at 50 and 100 μg kg−1 soil DW. The results indicate that degradation was dependent on substrate/SMS addition, the concentration of PCBs and time of incubation. The efficiency of PCB degradation was generally reduced with the number of chlorine atoms in the structure of congeners: 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 or 180. In all combinations, degradation increased with incubation time. Degradation by SMS was lower in comparison to degradation by a substrate of the same mushroom. The degree of degradation of a single PCB after 12 weeks of incubation for A. bisporus ranged from 31.32 ± 1.52 to 83.91 ± 1.07%, while for P. ostreatus it was between 37.88 ± 2.54 and 78.29 ± 1.41%; for L. edodes it ranged from 17.38 ± 1.06 to 75.30 ± 1.46%. The best average degradation was confirmed for 20% SMS of A. bisporus at 50 μg kg−1 PCB.

This paper presents the characteristics of the species Ganoderma lucidum in terms of health-promoting properties. This species is rare in Poland, and is subject to strict protection. Reishi is classified as a medicinal mushroom which fruiting bodies are characterized by a content of active substances with diverse positive effects on human health. G. lucidum is particularly rich source of bioactive compounds, which are obtained from fruiting bodies, mycelium and spores of this species. The therapeutic effect of G. lucidum extracts has been demonstrated in many scientific studies. The most important pharmacological and physiological effects include: immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-atherosclerosis, antidiabetic and anti-aging. Reishi has also a beneficial effect on liver cells and the cardiovascular system and protects in case of stomach ulcers. Due to its properties G. lucidum can be used in the prevention and treatment of life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, stroke and heart diseases.

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are a very large group of microorganisms that play a significant role in the environment. They use a variety of mechanisms to colonise various ecological niches. Several Trichoderma spp. positively affect plants by stimulating plant growth, and protecting plants from fungal and bacterial pathogens. They are used in biological plant protection as biofungicides as well as in bioremediation. Members of the genus Trichoderma are also utilised in various industry branches – mainly in the production of enzymes, antibiotics, and other metabolites, but also of biofuel. Moreover, the genus Trichoderma comprises edible and medicinal mushrooms, but also the pathogens of humans. Currently, Trichoderma has entered the genomic era and parts of genome sequences are publicly available. This is why, Trichoderma fungi have the potential to be used for human needs to an even greater extent than before. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to increase the efficiency and safety of the application of these fungi.

The importance of functional products on the world food market is increasing systematically. This has resulted from enhanced consumer awareness that health improvement may be attained through appropriate nutrition. Functional products are targeted to different groups of consumers who have increased nutrient requirements or are designed to improve specific functions of the organism. The market for functional food is also developing in Poland, but its growth rate is much slower than in other European countries. Moreover, knowledge on issues concerning functional food among Polish consumers is also low. Vegetables and mushrooms occupy an important position among functional food products due to their contents of many bioactive components that have a beneficial effect on human health and sense of well being. Vegetables in an everyday diet are natural sources of dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, anthocyanin, carotenoids and substances with an anti-carcinogenic effect. The fruiting bodies of both cultivated and wild-growing mushrooms contain several active substances, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, specific proteins and phenolic compounds. Their positive effect for humans results from the interaction of different active components contained in their fruiting bodies. Several health-promoting properties of mushrooms have been documented, including anti-cancer, immunostimulatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-diabetic effects. Consumers should have knowledge on the potential for health improvement thanks to the inclusion of vegetables and mushrooms in their everyday diets.

The objective of the experiment was to compare mycelium growth and the yield of wild strains of Pleurotus ostreatus derived from natural sites and of a cultivated HK35 strain. Mycelium growth was investigated on substrates prepared from the sawdust of deciduous trees, wheat and rye straw as well as by-products from the textile industry: flax and hemp shives. Irrespective of the applied substrate, the cultivated HK35 strain was characterised by the fastest growth, whereas amongst the examined wild strains, mycelia designated as U18/5, S12/3 and B17/4 were found to grow best. Substrates prepared from wheat and rye straw and flax shives turned out to be the best for mycelium growth of the tested strains of P. ostreatus. The yield of oyster mushroom depended on the type of applied substrate. Higher yields were recorded on substrates from flax shives and a mixture of wheat straw and hemp shives than on wheat straw. The cultivated HK35 strain and the wild S12/3 strain gave the highest yields irrespective of the kind of substrate.

The aim of the study was to determine the content of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) present in the fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach., depending on the site of picking and on a geographical region of Poland. Mushroom samples were collected in selected regions of Poland: Lower Silesia, Silesia, Pomerania and Kujawy, Wielkopolska, Lubuskie. Samples of Agaricus bisporus were wet mineralized in a 3:1 mixture of concentrated HNO3 (ultra pure) and HClO4 (AR). The content of heavy metals was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy FASS using an AAS Zeiss apparatus. The content of heavy metals in the fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. growing wild in Poland was varied and amounted to: Cd 0.68-6.14; Cr 0.38-6.93; Cu 1.90-101.71; Fe 33.01-432.24; Mn 2.86-387.43; Ni 0.20-3.09; Pb 0.98-42.83; Zn 31.87-124.84 (mg kg-1). Excessive levels of Cd, above the permissible content, were detected in the fruiting bodies collected from whole Silesia. Concentrations of CD above the permissible Cd content were observed in the fruiting bodies picked in Silesia region in four out of eleven locations: Katowice (Murcki), Pszczyna (Kobiór), Sośniowice (Biały Dwór), Pawonków (Dziewicza Góra). In the other regions, the permissible content of cadmium and lead in the fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. was not exceeded. The concentrations of micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) and pollutants (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni) were strictly dependent on tge sampling sites as well as geographical regions of Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the elemental composition, phenolic content and composition and antioxidant properties ofImleria badia(Fr.) Vizzini (former namesBoletus badius(Fr.) Fr., andXerocomus badius(Fr.) E.-J. Gilbert) fruiting bodies collected from sites with different levels of pollution.Imleria badiawas relatively tolerant to soil contamination with toxic elements and was able to grow in As, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations exceeding 15, 2.9, 0.4 and 77 mg kg−1, respectively. The concentration of elements in soil was reflected in the element content inI. badia. The fruiting bodies from polluted sites exhibited significantly higher content of all the analyzed elements. Among 21 individual phenolic compounds only protocatechiuc and caffeic acids, and quercetin were determined in fruiting bodies ofI. badia. The differences between the concentration of the quantified phenolic compounds and the total flavonoid content in fruiting bodies ofI. badiafrom unpolluted and polluted sites were not significant. However, the greatest total phenolic content was found in fruiting bodies from the polluted areas. The antioxidative capacity of mushrooms collected from heavily polluted sites was lower than those growing in unpolluted areas. The concentrations of some metals in soil and fruiting soil were positively correlated with phenolic content and IC50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to (i) investigate the potential of edible mushroom Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr. to accumulate 53 elements from unpolluted acidic sandy soil and polluted alkaline flotation tailing sites in Poland, (ii) to estimate the low-molecular-weight organic acid (LMWOA) profile and contents in fruit bodies, and finally (iii) to explore the possible relationship between elements and LMWOA content in mushrooms. The content of most elements in fruiting bodies collected from the flotation tailings was significantly higher than in mushrooms from the unpolluted soils. The occurrence of elements determined in fruiting bodies of B. badius has been varied (from 0.01 mg kg for Eu, Lu, and Te up to 18,932 mg kg for K). The results established the high importance of element contents in substrate. Among ten organic acids, nine have been found in wide range: from below 0.01 mg kg for fumaric acid to 14.8 mg g for lactic acid. Lactic and succinic acids were dominant in both areas, and citric acid was also in high content in polluted area. The correlation between element contents and the individual and total content of LMWOAs was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations concerning the effect of hemp oil on mortality of the foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani Kalt.) and the two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) were conducted in the years 2014-2015. The tested essential oil was produced at the Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants in Poznan. It was obtained by steam distillation of fresh panicles of Polish hemp cultivars, Beniko, Bialobrzeskie and Silesia, with low cannabinoid contents, including THC (max. 0.2% plant fresh matter). The effect of essential oil on the investigated pests was determined following the application of aqueous emulsion solution at 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1%. Mortality of agrophages was determined 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment. In this study a very high efficacy of the essential oil produced from hemp panicles was found in the reduction of population size of the foxglove aphid (A. solani). Already at 24 h after its application at a concentration of 0.1% pest mortality rate was 98.20%, while after 48 h it reached 100%. A significant, although much lesser effect of oil on the aphid population was recorded when applying it at 0.05%, with the mortality rate of the true bug after 72 h amounting to 57.33%. Essential oil also showed an effect on the two spotted spider mite (T. urticae). Following the oil application, irrespective of its concentration, a significant effect on mite mortality was observed. Its action was the strongest at its highest concentration, ie 0.1%, while mortality of the pest at 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment was 83.28, 95.83 and 98.72%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the experiment was to obtain information about the yield quantity and quality of 16 cultivated strains of Agaricus bisporus. The ‘Somycel 516’ strain gave the highest yield, whereas the yield from the ‘Sylvan 130’ strain was the lowest. The ‘Hauser A1.5’ was characterised by the highest content of dry matter in all the three yield flushes. An equally high content of dry matter was in the first and second flush of the ‘Italspawn F 50’ strain and in the second flash of the strain ‘Italspawn F 62’. ‘Sylvan S100’, ‘Italspawn F 56’, ‘Irlandzka 501’, ‘Amycel 104’ and ‘Le Lion X13’ were the strains with the lowest content of dry matter in all of the three yield flushes. The size of the carpophores had significant influence on the dry matter content. In the all three flushes, the carpophores with diameter 4.6–5.5 cm were characterized by the lowest dry matter content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to estimate copper (Cu) accumulation efficiency in whole-fruiting bodies of 18 edible and non-edible wild growing mushrooms collected from 27 places in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. Mushrooms were collected each time from the same places to estimate the diversity in Cu accumulation between tested mushroom species within 3 consecutive years of study (2011–2013). The study results revealed various accumulation of Cu in the whole-tested mushroom fruiting bodies. The highest mean accumulation of Cu was observed inMacrolepiota procera(119.4 ± 20.0 mg kg−1dm), while the lowest was inSuillus luteusandRussula felleafruiting bodies (16.1 ± 3.0 and 18.8 ± 4.6 mg kg−1dm, respectively). Significant differences in Cu accumulation between mushroom species collected in 2011 and in the two following years (2012 and 2013) were observed. The results indicated that sporadic consumption of these mushrooms was not related to excessive intake of Cu for the human body (no toxic influence on health). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of the study was to analyse levels of 17 trace elements and 5 major minerals in 11Boletus badiusfruiting bodies able to grow in extremely polluted waste (flotation tailings) and polluted soil in southern Poland. The presented data widen the limited literature data about the abilities of wild-growing mushroom species to grow on heavily contaminated substrates. Content of elements in waste, soil and mushrooms was analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS - Hg). The industrial areas differed greatly as regards the content of elements in flotation tailings and soil; therefore differences in Ag, Ba, Cd, Co, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ca, K, Mg, Na and P accumulation in mushrooms were observed. The highest contents of elements in mushrooms were observed for: As, Al, Cu and Zn (86 ± 28, 549 ± 116, 341 ± 59 and 506 ± 40 mg kg−1dry matter, respectively). Calculated bioconcentration factor (BCF) values were higher than 1 for Al (15.1–16.9), Fe (10.6–24.4) and Hg (10.2–16.4) only. The main value of the presented results is the fact that one of the common wild-growing mushroom species was able to grow on flotation tailings containing over 22 g kg−1of As and, additionally, effective accumulation of other elements was observed. In view of the high content of the majority of analysed elements in fruiting bodies, edible mushrooms from such polluted areas are nonconsumable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hericium erinaceum (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. is an edible fungus of great significance in medicine. It is rarely found in Europe, in contrast, it is common in Japan and North America. Its fruitbodies have been well-known for hundreds of years in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. A cradle of H. erinaceum cultivation is Asia. In Eastern Europe is rare in natural habitats, but can be successfully cultivated. Both fruitbodies and mycelia are rich in active, health promoting substances. Tests of substances extracted from this mushroom carried out on animals and in vitro have given good results. They can be used in the treatment of cancer, hepatic disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, wound healing. They improve cognitive abilities, support the nervous and immune systems. Promising results have been reported in clinical trials and case reports about the human treatment (e.g., recovery from schizophrenia, an improvement of the quality of sleep, alleviation of the menopause symptoms). The subject of this paper is to summarize information about the development of mycelium, the best conditions for cultivation of fruitbodies, bioactive substances and their use in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contents of 16 minerals and trace elements (Ag, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pt, Ti and Zn) were analyzed in edible mushrooms (Leccinum scabrum,Boletus edulisandBoletus badius) collected in southwest Poland. Content of Co, Ni and Pb was similar in all tested mushroom species, while content of Ag, Ca, Cd, Hg and Ti was significantly higher inB. edulisthan inL. scabrumandB. badius. The largest differences between these species were observed for Fe and Zn accumulation. The highest contents of these elements were noted inB. badiusbodies (202 ± 88 and 137 ± 24 mg kg−1dry matter, respectively), lower inB. edulis(131 ± 99 and 89 ± 26 mg kg−1dry matter, respectively) and lowest inL. scabrum.Differences in As, Cu and Cr content between tested species were observed mainly betweenL. scabrumandB. badiusfruiting bodies. Content of Pt was below 0.01 mg kg−1dry matter). In the case of Mg and Mn accumulation, differences betweenB. edulisandB. badiuswere not observed (478 and 440 mg kg−1dry matter for Mg and 23 and 19 mg kg−1dry matter for Mn), and the results showed significantly higher content of these elements than inL. scabrumbodies (312 and 10 mg kg−1dry matter, respectively). It is worth underlining that clear accumulation shown by the bioconcentration factor (BCF>1) observed for all three mushroom species was noted in the case of elements Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni and Zn only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to assess the influence of calcium chloride and calcium lactate irrigation on the yield volume and dry matter content in two champignon strains, ie Amycel 2200 and Italspawn F59. When both strains were irrigated with calcium lactate, there was a significant decrease observed in the yield when the concentration of the solution was 0.6%. On the other hand, when calcium chloride was applied to the Italspawn F59 strain, there was a significant decrease in the yield when the concentration was as low as 0.4%, whereas the yield of the Amycel 2200 strain dropped when the concentration of calcium chloride was 0.6%. The irrigation with calcium chloride and calcium lactate had influence on the content of dry matter in the champignon carpophores. When the solutions under investigation were applied at concentrations of 0.4 and 0.6%, there was a significant increase observed in the content of dry matter in both strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different Trichoderma species on the yield of Agaricus bisporus strains was investigated in this study. For the first time, the effect of different Trichoderma species on the yield of Agaricus bisporus strains was determined under fully controlled conditions. Four button mushroom strains were used: Somycel 53, Somycel 11, Amycel 2200, and Polmycel 31. The cultivation substrate was inoculated with the following Trichoderma species: T. aggressivum f. europaeum, T. atroviride, T. hamatum, T. harzianum, T. inhamatum, T. koningii, and T. longibrachiatum. Except for T. atroviride, all the Trichoderma isolates reduced the yield of the button mushroom strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess the degradation rate of selected PAHs (fluoranthene, anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene) with a refuse from a large-scale production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). In a 12-week experiment two kinds of substrates were used, i.e. substrate overgrown with mycelium and spent mushroom compost collected after fruiting. Substrates were added at 5, 10 and 20% to the soil artificially contaminated with 2000, 5000 and 10000 μg kg-1 DW. The time of incubation, PAHs concentration and the percentage of the substrate/compost significantly differentiated the degradation rate of the PAHs. The increase of PAH concentration led to reduction in degradation rate, in particular between 5000 and 10000 μg kg-1 and at 5% of substrate (or compost). However, application of 10 and 20% substrate (or compost) positively influenced the PAHs degradation at the lowest concentration of PAHs. The strongest increase was observed between 5 and 10% of added substrate (or compost). The degradation of PAHs with compost was slightly weaker than with substrate. The best degradable PAH was phenanthrene (25 and 59%), while pyrene was the weakest degradable (12 and 48%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to compare accumulation efficiency of Al, Ba and nutritional elements (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na) exhibited by six edible mushrooms collected in particular regions of Poland during the last 20 years. The studied mushroom species were Boletus edulis,Cantharellus cibarius,Lactarius deliciosus,Leccinum aurantiacum,Suillus luteusandXerocomus badius. The highest and the lowest concentrations of the elements in tested mushroom species were 11 – 410, 34 – 337, 16785 – 34600, 140 – 607, 12 – 75 and 16 – 143 mg kg−1d.m., respectively. The highest average concentrations of Al, Mg and Mn were observed inSuillus luteusfruiting bodies, while for Ba, Ca, K and Na it was inLactarius deliciosus. BCF >1 was found for K and Mg in all tested mushroom species and additionally for the highest Ca and Na concentrations of all tested mushroom species except forC. cibariusandS. luteus, respectively. For the other tested elements (Al, Ba, Fe and Mn) BCF values < 1 were recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In recent years in Poland we may observe a considerable development of organic vegetable production. Increased interest in organic products results from an opinion of the consumers on their high quality and health safety. However, results of research comparing nutritive value and contents of biologically active compounds in vegetables from organic and conventional farms are ambiguous. Most studies confirm higher contents of certain vitamins and antioxidants in organic vegetables, as well as their lower contents of nitrates and pesticide residue in comparison to vegetables grown in the conventional manner. There are also reports which did not confirm such differences or showed opposite trends. Research results at present do not make it possible to formulate a general conclusion on a higher health-promoting value of organic vegetables in comparison to those grown by conventional farming methods. It is necessary to continue research in order to explain the effect of organic raw materials on human health in a more comprehensive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn accumulation in six edible mushroom species and to assess their risk and benefits to human consumers. Mushrooms (Leccinium aurantiacum, Xerocomus badius, Lactarius deliciosus, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius and Suillus luteus) were collected from selected regions of Poland during 1990–2010. The highest diversity between studied mushroom species was observed in terms of Cu and Zn accumulation. Significant differences in the accumulation efficiency were found among the six mushroom species examined. The most efficient were Boletus edulis (Cd and Hg), Suillus luteus (Cu and Sr), and Lactarius deliciosus (Pb and Zn). In the case of Co and Ni, the most effective were Xerocomus badius and Leccinium aurantiacum, respectively. The calculated bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of Cd, Cu, Hg, Sr and Zn were > 1 for all species in this study while Co, Ni and Pb usually were bioexcluded (BCF < 1). Additionally, based on the calculated daily intake rates of trace elements determined it can be concluded that occasional consumption of fruiting bodies of L. aurantiacum, X. badius, L. deliciosus, B. edulis, C. cibarius and S. luteus collected in Poland is safe and this finding largely agrees with results from recent studies by other authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth of Trichoderma pleurotum and T. pleuroticola isolates on the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium was investigated. T. pleuroticola isolates showed a significantly greater diameter of their mycelium colonies after 5 days of incubation than the T. pleurotum isolates. In addition, biotic interactions between T. pleurotum and T. pleuroticola isolates and species of Pleurotus sp. were determined. The following six species of oyster mushroom were used: P. florida, P. cornucopiae, P. pulmonarius, P. columbinus, P. ostreatus and P. eryngii. It was demonstrated that isolates of the T. pleuroticola species limited the growth of the examined species of oyster mushroom to a much greater extent than the isolates of the T. pleurotum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of the study was Pleurotus eryngii (Jacq. ex Fr.) Quél., B127 strain, cultivated on beech sawdust enriched with selected heavy metals in the form of water-soluble salts (Zn, Cu, Cd, Co, Ni) at 1, 5 and 10 mM. Formation of fruit bodies was observed in the case of all the tested metals. Nevertheless, the heavy metal treatment altered the rate of mycelium growth. Significant inhibition was observed for Ni, Co and Cu treatments, increasing at higher levels of metal addition. Cd, Co and Ni addition resulted in a significant reduction in yield compared with control, whereas Zn and Cu did not influence the yield of the investigated fungus. P. eryngii showed the strongest ability to accumulate Zn and Co in fruit bodies (∼1 mrnol kg-1 DW at 10 mM treatment), and the weakest sorption was found in the case of Cd (0.03 mrnol kg-1 DW at 10 mM). The addition of heavy metals led to changes in the activity of the extracellular laccase. In general, the increase of metal content in the substrate enhanced laccase activity measured after substrate overgrowth with mycelium, and negatively influencing the activity of the enzyme measured after the formation of fruit bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative determination of polysaccharides in Ganoderma lucidum fruit bodies from different sawdust cultivation substrates and their antibacterial activity was done. Thirty six samples were analyzed. Four strains of Ganoderma lucidum (GL01, GL02, GL03 and GL04) were cultivated on the growth substrates of three different sawdust types: birch (Bo), maple (Kl) or alder (Ol) amended with wheat bran in three different concentrations: 10, 20 and 30% (w/w). Even though the richest in polysaccharides was GL01 strain, the highest yields of the polysaccharides were determined in GL04Kl3 sample and was 112.82 mg/g of dry weight. The antibacterial activity of polysaccharides was determined in vitro using micro-dilution broth method. The panel of eight reference bacterial strains was used. All the polysaccharide samples tested showed the broad spectrum and the moderate antibacterial activity. Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240 strain was the most sensitive with MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) = 0.63 -- 1.25 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of substrate infestation with Trichoderma pleurotum and T. pleuroticola isolates on yielding of two commercial strains of Pleurotus ostreatus was investigated. The examined P. ostreatus strains growing on substrates infested with Trichoderma isolates showed a considerable yield decline. T. pleuroticola isolates were found to exert a greater unfavorable impact on P. ostreatus yields than T. pleurotum isolates. The performed experiments demonstrated that the response of the examined P. ostreatus strains to infestations with T. pleurotum and T. pleuroticola isolates was similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carpophore dry matter content of several strains of A. bisporus and A. bitorquis obtained from natural habitats was investigated. Two cultivated mushroom strains were used as the control. It was found that the dry matter content of the fruiting bodies differed depending on the strain as well as the species of the analyzed mushrooms. The highest carpophore dry matter content was determined in the strains obtained from the natural environment. The highest dry matter content in the fruiting bodies was determined in A. bisporus Ab/ZW/4 - 11.2% and A. bitorquis Ab/L/11 - 9.6%, as well as in the cultivated strain K26 - 9.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the experiment was to compare mycelium growth and the yield of wild strains of Pleurotus ostreatus derived from natural sites and of a cultivated HK35 strain. Mycelium growth was investigated on substrates prepared from the sawdust of deciduous trees, wheat and rye straw as well as by-products from the textile industry: flax and hemp shives. Irrespective of the applied substrate, the cultivated HK35 strain was characterised by the fastest growth, whereas amongst the examined wild strains, mycelia designated as U18/5, S12/3 and B17/4 were found to grow best. Substrates prepared from wheat and rye straw and flax shives turned out to be the best for mycelium growth of the tested strains of P. ostreatus. The yield of oyster mushroom depended on the type of applied substrate. Higher yields were recorded on substrates from flax shives and a mixture of wheat straw and hemp shives than on wheat straw. The cultivated HK35 strain and the wild S12/3 strain gave the highest yields irrespective of the kind of substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yields of wild strains of shaggy mane (also called: maned agaric, horsetail fungus) and their hybrids were compared. Experiments were carried out on three substrates: rye straw, wheat straw and substrate for button mushroom growing. New hybrids, giving a high yield, were obtained as a result of the breeding process. The highest yield was found on substrate for button mushroom growing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The impact of infestation with Trichoderma aggressivum f. europeanum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum isolates on the yielding of three wild strains and one cultivated strain of Coprinus comatus was investigated. A significant yield reduction of C. comatus on substrates infested with the examined Trichoderma isolates was determined. The recorded percentage yield reduction was significantly higher in the case of the infestation with the T. aggressivum than with the T. longibrachiatum isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This paper constitutes a supplementary study of the research conducted to assess accumulation efficiency of selected trace elements by Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies picked in some regions of Poland in selected years. Material and methods. Atomic absorption/emission spectrometry techniques (FAAS and AES) were applied to determine in the fruiting bodies of this mushroom species the total contents of Ca, K, Mg and Na, as well as Al as a metal capable of entering into easy interactions with nutritional elements and inhibiting their proper action in the human organism. Results. The highest concentrations of Al, K and Mg were determined in mushroom fruiting bodies collected in the Lower Silesia Voivodeship, amounting to 28.08 ±5.81 mg·kg-1 d.w., 2.39 ±0.21 g·kg-1 d.w. and 372.31 ±90.55 mg·kg-1 d.w., respectively. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of Ca (78.08 ±24.64 mg·kg-1 d.w.) were recorded in mushrooms from the Lódz Voivodeship, while the highest concentrations of Na (77.03 ±20.46 mg·kg-1 d.w.) - in those from the Pomeranian Voivodeship were observed. In general, BCF > 1 was found only for K accumulation. Conclusion. Concentrations of nutritional elements determined in this study revealed that the consumption of X. badius fruiting bodies supplied only small quantities of these constituents in comparison with the amounts consumed in other products. The detected Al concentrations showed that fruiting bodies of this mushroom species consumed in Poland during the past 20 years could not lead to health problems caused by the presence of this metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. As regards a significant intake of wild growing edible mushrooms, especially in East and Central Europe, concentrations of toxic elements should be periodically analysed. The aim of the study was to assess changes in concentrations of selected trace elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn) in a mushroom species, Xerocomus badius. Material and methods. Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies were collected from five regions of Poland within the last 20 years (selected years when these mushrooms were growing). Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used for determination of 10 elements while for Hg cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) was used. Results. Generally the results show no significant differences in the accumulation efficiency of individual elements by mushrooms collected from different regions of Poland, but significant differences were observed in the accumulation efficiency of these elements by mushrooms collected in particular years of their harvest. The highest accumulation indicated by bioconcentration factors (BCFs) was observed for Cu (10.03), Hg (148.15) and Zn (4.88). Conclusion. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn in the tested mushrooms were found to be lower than the values of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), therefore the levels of these elements are not toxic for people. In our opinion, occasional consumption of these mushroom fruiting bodies within the last 20 years in Poland did not provide significant amounts of analysed trace elements (no more than other foods). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]