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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 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]

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]

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 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]