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Addressing the impacts of climate change and global warming has become an urgent priority for the planet’s well-being. In recent decades the great potential of fungal-based products with characteristics equal to, or even outperforming, classic petroleum-derived products has been acknowledged. These new materials present the added advantage of having a reduced carbon footprint, less environmental impact and contributing to the shift away from a fossil-based economy. This study focused on the production of insulation panels using fungal mycelium and lignocellulosic materials as substrates. The process was optimized, starting with the selection of Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, Ganoderma carnosum and Fomitopsis pinicola isolates, followed by the evaluation of three grain spawn substrates (millet, wheat and a 1:1 mix of millet and wheat grains) for mycelium propagation, and finishing with the production of various mycelium-based composites using five wood by-products and waste materials (pine sawdust, oak shavings, tree of heaven wood chips, wheat straw and shredded beech wood). The obtained biomaterials were characterized for internal structure by X-ray micro-CT, thermal transmittance using a thermoflowmeter and moisture absorption. The results showed that using a wheat and millet 1:1 (w/w) mix is the best option for spawn production regardless of the fungal isolate. In addition, the performance of the final composites was influenced both by the fungal isolate and the substrate used, with the latter having a stronger effect on the measured properties. The study shows that the most promising sustainable insulating biomaterial was created using T. versicolor grown on wheat straw.

Fungi and invertebrates comprise a major part of biodiversity in dead wood ecosystems and invertebrates depend on fungi to utilise the dead wood resource. Many invertebrates also visit the long-lived fruit bodies of wood-decay fungi to feed on spores, the hymenium or other invertebrates. However, as traditional sampling methods are labour-intensive, we know little of these interactions. In this study, we use time-lapse cameras to monitor invertebrates visiting the hymenium of a common wood-decay fungus, Fomitopsis pinicola, and explain their activity in terms of temporal variation, temperature and presence of Gyrophaena boleti, a highly abundant fungivorous beetle living primarily in fruit bodies of F. pinicola. The most common invertebrates on F. pinicola fruit bodies were Coleoptera, Araneae, Diptera, Gastropoda and Chilopoda. The invertebrate activity exhibited strong temporal variation with higher abundance during night and, for Coleoptera, earlier in the season. We discuss how this might correlate with the sporulation period of F. pinicola. The presence of G. boleti had a positive impact on the predatory Lordithon lunulatus and Ipidia binotata, and a negative impact on the fungivorous Thymalus limbatus and Peltis ferruginea. Chilopoda and L. lunulatus were ephemeral visitors, while the fungivorous Coleoptera and Araneae stayed the longest. We estimated the invertebrates' visitation frequency and duration, which would be time-consuming to obtain with traditional methods. We offer improvements to our method and urge future research on invertebrate–fungus interactions to quantify invertebrate visits to fungal fruit bodies.

This paper presents the results of biodestruction of leaves of woody plants of the genus Populus by basidial fungi Pleurotus pulmonarius and Fomitopsis pinicola. The growth parameters of fungal cultures on substrates of green leaves and litter were compared. The data obtained during the work indicate the possibility of using the leaves of woody plants of the genus Populus as a substrate for the cultivation of basidial fungi. Представлены результаты биодеструкции листьев древесных растений рода Populus базидиальными грибами Pleurotus pulmonarius и Fomitopsis pinicola. Проведено сравнение ростовых параметров культур на субстратах из зеленых листьев и опада. Данные, полученные в ходе работы, свидетельствуют о возможности применения листьев древесных растений рода Populus в качестве субстрата для культивирования базидиальных грибов.

Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti biosorpcijski potencijal inaktivne biomase ljekovite gljive Fomitopsis pinicola za uklanjanje sintetskog bojila kongo crvenila (KC) iz vode. Različiti čimbenici koji utječu na proces biosorpcije istraživani su šaržnim postupkom, pri čemu su ispitani sljedeći čimbenici: koncentracija biosorbensa (0.5 – 10 g/L), vrijeme kontakta (1 - 240 min), početna koncentracija bojila (10 – 200 mg/L) i pH (4 - 10). Postotak uklanjanja bojila se povećao s povećanjem koncentracije biosorbensa i vremena kontakta između biosorbensa i bojila. Povećanje početne koncentracije bojila od 10 do 200 mg/L dovelo je do smanjenja postotka uklanjanja bojila (od 89,11 % do 31,89 %) i povećanja količine bojila adsorbirane po gramu biosorbensa (od 5,51 mg/g do 43,79 mg/g). Uklanjanje KC iz sintetske otpadne vode s dodatkom bojila (koncentracija bojila od 10 mg/L do 100 mg/L) je bilo jednako učinkovito kao uklanjanje KC iz modelnih otopina, pri čemu je postotak uklanjanja bojila također opadao s porastom koncentracije bojila od 96.75 do 62.6 %. Veći postotak uklanjanja bojila, odnosno učinkovitost biosorpcije postignuta je pri pH < 7. Za analizu eksperimentalno dobivenih podataka korišteni su ravnotežni adsorpcijski modeli (Freundlich i Langmuir). Rezultati su pokazali kako Freundlich-ov model nešto bolje opisuje proces biosorpcije KC na inaktivnu biomasu F. pinicola. Kintetički model pseudo-drugog reda pokazuje bolje slaganje s eksperimentalnim podacima od modela pseudo-prvog reda. Rezultati ukazuju da ekstrahirana inaktivna biomasa ljekovite gljive F. pinicola ima potencijal za upotrebu u remedijaciji otpadnih voda onečišćenih sintetskim bojilom kongo crvenilom. The objective of this work was to investigate the biosorption potential of the inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom Fomitopsis pinicola for the removal of the synthetic dye Congo red (CR) from water. Various factors affecting the biosorption process were investigated in a batch procedure, testing the following factors: concentration of biosorbent (0.5 - 10 g/L), contact time (1 - 240 min), initial dye concentration (10 - 200 mg/L), and pH (4 - 10). The percentage of dye removal increased with increasing biosorbent concentration and contact time between biosorbent and dye. Increasing the initial dye concentration from 10 to 200 mg/L resulted in a decrease in the percentage of dye removal (from 89.11% to 31.89%) and an increase in the amount of dye adsorbed per gram of biosorbent (from 5.51 mg/g to 43.79 mg/g). Removal of CR from synthetic wastewater with the addition of dye (dye concentration from 10 mg/L to 100 mg/L) was as effective as removal of CR from model solutions, although the percentage of dye removal also decreased (from 96.75 to 62.6%) with increasing dye concentration. A higher percentage of dye removal or biosorption efficiency was achieved at a pH < 7. Equilibrium adsorption models (Freundlich and Langmuir) were used to analyze the experimentally obtained data. The results showed that the Freundlich model somewhat better described the biosorption process of CR on the inactive biomass of F. pinicola. The pseudo-second order kinetic model showed better agreement with the experimental data than the pseudo-first order model. The results suggest that the extracted inactive biomass of the medicinal fungus F. pinicola has the potential to be used in the remediation of wastewater contaminated with the synthetic dye Congo red.

U ovom radu ispitana je mogućnost pripreme novih biosorbensa imobilizacijom inaktivne biomase gljive Fomitopsis pinicola uklapanjem u kalcijev alginat. Novi biosorbensi su pripremljeni ukapljanjem inaktivne biomase gljive u 1 % i 2 % kalcijev alginat, pri čemu je biomase gljive dodana u različitim količinama u odnosu na masu natrijevog alginata korištenog u postupku imobilizacije (10 %, 20 % i 30 % gljive na masu alginata te u omjerima 1:1, 1:1,5 i 1:2 u odnosu na masu natrijevog alginata). Dobiveni biosorbensi su osušeni te su prije i nakon sušenja određivani promjer i udio vlage te stupanj bubrenja mikrosfera biosorbensa. Nadalje, ispitana je učinkovitost uklanjanja sintetskog bojila kongo crvenila iz vodenih otopina korištenjem dobivenih biosorbensa. Rezultati su pokazali kako je dodatak inaktivne biomase gljive utjecao na povećanje promjera te smanjenje udjela vode dobivenih mikrosfera biosorbensa u odnosu na mikrosfere biosorbensa bez dodatka biomase gljive. Svi biosorbensi pokazali su se učinkovitima za uklanjanje kongo crvenila (i do 80 %) iz vode pri odabranom vremenu kontakta od 6 h. Biosorbensi sa smanjenim udjelom natrijeva alginata (1 %) te povećanim udjelom biomase gljive također su se pokazali učinkovitima za uklanjanje kongo crvenila, ali nije postignuto očekivano povećanje učinkovitosti u odnosu na uzorak bez dodatka biomase gljive. Rezultati dobiveni ovim istraživanjem upućuju na mogućnost upotrebe otpadne inaktivne gljive Fomitopsis pinicola za pripremu biosorbensa, ali i na potrebu provođenja daljnjih istraživanja koja će uključivati detaljniju fizikalno-kemijsku i morfološku karakterizaciju biosorbensa te opsežnije biosorpcijske eksperimente. In this study, the possibility of preparing new biosorbents by immobilizing the inactive biomass of the fungus Fomitopsis pinicola by incorporating it into calcium alginate was tested. New biosorbents were prepared by liquefying inactive mushroom biomass in 1% and 2% calcium alginate, where the mushroom biomass was added in different amounts in relation to the mass of sodium alginate used in the immobilization process (10%, 20% and 30% of mushroom to the mass of alginate and in ratios of 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 in relation to the mass of sodium alginate). The obtained biosorbents were dried, before and after drying, the diameter and moisture content and degree of swelling of the biosorbent microspheres were determined. Furthermore, the effectiveness of removing the synthetic dye Congo red from aqueous solutions using the obtained biosorbents was tested. The results showed that the addition of inactive mushroom biomass had an effect on increasing the diameter and reducing the water content of the obtained biosorbent microspheres compared to biosorbent microspheres without the addition of mushroom biomass. All biosorbents proved effective for removing Congo red (up to 80%) from water at the selected contact time of 6 h. Biosorbents with a reduced proportion of sodium alginate (1%) and an increased proportion of mushroom biomass also proved to be effective for the removal of Congo red, but the expected increase in efficiency compared to the sample without the addition of mushroom biomass was not achieved. The results obtained from this research point to the possibility of using waste inactive fungus Fomitopsis.pinicola for the preparation of biosorbents, but also to the need for further research that will include more detailed physico-chemical and morphological characterization of biosorbents and more extensive biosorption experiments.

The fruiting bodies of bracket fungi are a specific microhabitat colonized by various invertebrates of which mites (Acari) are rarely studied, and if they are, the study is usually faunistic. The aim of the research was to determine whether the diversification of mite assemblages (Mesostigmata, Oribatida) inhabiting the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. (Polyporales) are connected with the character of the forests and/or the degree of decay (DD) of the fruiting bodies. The research was conducted at Białowieża National Park (BNP), in forests close to natural ones and in Karkonosze National Park (KNP) which was affected by a large-scale forest dieback in the 1980s. Eighty fruiting bodies (40 at each study site) of F. pinicola belonging to four DD categories were collected. In total, 4,345 individuals of 120 mite species were recorded at BNP, and 13,912 individuals of 96 species were recorded at KNP. Analyses revealed that the sample dispersion at each study site was comparable, nevertheless the samples from each study site were clearly grouped into slightly overlapping sets which allow observation of the differences between them. In the less decayed fungi (DD 1 and 2) there were fewer mite species and individual mites than in the more decayed samples (DD 3 and 4). There were also significant differences between the fauna of the fungi in each particular DD: the fauna of DD 1 differed from all others, whereas the fauna of heavily decayed fungi (DD 3 and 4) was more comparable. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10493-021-00635-1.

Antifungal properties of extracts from Euphorbia tirucalli against some wood decay fungi were studied. E. tirucalli fresh sample was harvested, cleansed and chipped into chips of 3 x 2 cm length and breadth. Chipped sample (846.3 g) was macerated in 1000 mL of ethyl acetate, n hexane and methanol solvents, respectively. Column chromatography experiment on E. tirucalli was carried out and antifungal screening was done according to standard method for 7 days to observe zones of inhibition of fungi growth. Broth dilution method was adopted to determine the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of E. tirucalli extracts and fraction. Results show that Fibroporia vaillantii, Fomitopsis pinicola, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Rhizopus sp. and Serpula lacrymans were sensitive to ethyl acetate, n’ hexane and methanol E. tirucalli extracts at concentration of 200 mg/mL with zone of inhibition of 18-26 mm and methanol extract had the highest value of 26 mm. The fraction had zone of inhibition of between 18 and 20 mm which are not significantly different (p

Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti biosorpcijski potencijal inaktivne biomase ljekovite gljive Fomitopsis pinicola za uklanjanje sintetskog bojila malahitnog zelenila (MZ) iz vode. Šaržnim postupkom istraživani su različiti čimbenici koji utječu na proces biosorpcije: koncentracija biosorbensa (0.5 – 10 g/L), vrijeme kontakta (1 - 180 min), početna koncentracija bojila (10 – 200 mg/L) i pH ( 4 - 10). Postotak uklanjanja bojila se povećao s povećanjem koncentracije biosorbensa i vremena kontakta između biosorbensa i MZ. Povećanje početne koncentracije bojila od 10 do 200 mg/L dovelo je do smanjenja postotka uklanjanja bojila ( od 96 do 42.67 %) i povećanja količine bojila adsorbirane po gramu biosorbensa (od 4.33 do 31.97 mg/g. Uklanjanje MZ iz sintetske otpadne vode s dodatkom bojila (koncentracija bojila od 10 do 100 mg/L) je bilo jednako učinkovito kao uklanjanje MZ iz modelnih otopina, pri čemu je postotak uklanjanja bojila također opadao s porastom koncentracije bojila od 96.75 do 62.6 %. Veći postotak uklanjanja bojila, odnosno učinkovitost biosorpcije postignuta je pri pH > 7. Eksperimentalno dobiveni podatci analizirani su pomoću ravnotežnih adsorpcijskih modela (Freundlich i Langmuir). Rezultati su pokazali kako Freundlichov model nešto bolje opisuje proces biosorpcije MZ na inaktivnu biomasu Fomitopsis pinicola. Kintetički model pseudo-drugog reda pokazuje bolje slaganje s eksperimentalnim podatcima od modela pseudo-prvog reda. Rezultati ukazuju da ekstrahirana inaktivna biomasa ljekovite gljive Fomitopsis pinicola ima potencijal za upotrebu u remedijaciji otpadnih voda onečišćenih sintetskim bojilom malahitnim zelenilom. The aim of this study was to investigate the biosorptive potential of the inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom Fomitopsis pinicola to remove the synthetic dye malachite green (MG) from water. Various factors affecting the biosorption process were investigated in a batch procedure, namely the concentration of biosorbent (0.5 - 10 g/L), contact time (1 - 180 min), initial dye concentration (10 - 200 mg/L), and pH (4 - 10). The percentage of dye removal increased with increasing biosorbent concentration and contact time between biosorbent and MG. A decrease in the percentage of dye removal (from 96 to 42.67%) and an increase in the amount of dye adsorbed on biomass (from 4.33 to 31.97 mg/g) were observed when the concentration of MG was increased from 10 to 200 mg/L. The removal of MG from synthetic wastewater with the addition of MG (concentration 10-200 mg/L) was as efficient as the removal from MG model solutions, and the percentage of dye removal decreased (from 96.75 to 62.6 %) with the increase of initial dye concentration ranging from to. The pH > 7 favoured the efficiency of biosorption. The data from the model MG solution experiments were analysed using adsorption equilibrium models (Freundlich and Langmuir). The results showed that the Freundlich model described the process of MG biosorption on inactive F. pinicola biomass slightly better. Furthermore, of the two kinetic models used (pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order model) the kinetics of the biosorption process was better described by the pseudo-second-order model. The results suggest that the extracted inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom F. pinicola has potential for remediation of wastewater contaminated with the synthetic dye malachite green.

Методом ИК Фурье спектроскопии в пределах одного ствола были изучены изменения древесины cосны обыкновенной (Pínus sylvéstris) в результате ее биологического поражения и деструкции окаймленным трутовиком – грибом Fomitopsis pinicola (Schw. ex Fr.) Karst. Исследование проводили на спектрометре Prestige-21 фирмы Shimadzu в области волновых чисел 4000– 400 см–1 с разрешением 4 см–1 (20 сканов). Спектры поглощения снимали с использованием приставки диффузионного отражения (ДО). Показано, что биодеструкция древесной ткани сосны отражается на ИК Фурье спектрах. Изменения наблюдаются в областях спектра поглощения, характеризующих валентные колебания гидроксильных, метиленовых, карбонильных групп, скелетные колебания ароматического кольца. Глубокая деструкция древесины в центре ствола сопровождается батохромным сдвигом (1734 см–1 до 1719 см–1) и значительным увеличением интенсивности полосы поглощения валентных колебаний карбонильных групп (1719 см–1), а также изменением контура спектра поглощения в области от ~1719 до ~1100 см–1. В спектре деструктированной древесины интенсивности полос поглощения в этой области уменьшаются, в спектрах образцов с периферии и центра ствола, сохранивших морфологическую структуру древесины – увеличиваются. В деструктированной древесине отмечено существенное увеличение интенсивности полосы поглощения при 1601 см–1, которая становится несколько большей, чем интенсивность полосы с максимумом 1508 см–1, что не характерно для ИК спектра здоровой хвойной древесины, в которой отношение интенсивностей этих полос поглощения противоположное. Сhanges of the Scots pine wood (Pínus sylvéstris) within a single tree trunk caused by its biological destruction made by red belt fungus Fomitopsis pinicola (Schw. ex Fr.) Karst were studied by use of the IR Fourier spectroscopy method. The wood was cut in Syktyvdin region of the Komi Republic. From the trunk about 36 сm in diameter a sample was sawed about 15 cm thick. Three samples were selected for spectra: 1 – light brown non-destructed wood from the centre of the trunk, 2 – dark brown, adjacent to the completely destroyed wood; 3 – from the periphery of the trunk not clearly affected by rot. The research was made by use of spectrometer Prestige-21 produced by Shimadzu company in the field of the wave numbers 4000–400 сm–1 with a resolution of 4 cm–1 (20 scans). Absorption spectra were examined by using a diffusion reflector (DR). It is shown that bio destruction of the wood fiber of pine is reflected on the IR Fourier spectra. Changes are observed in the absorption spectrum that characterize the valence oscillations of hydroxyl, methylene, carbonyl groups, and skeletal oscillations of the aromatic ring. A deep destruction of wood in the centre of the trunk is accompanied by a bathwater drift (1734 сm–1 to 1719 сm–1) and a significant increase in the absorption band of the valence oscillations of carbonyl groups (1719 сm–1), as well as change of the spectra contour of the absorption from ~1719 to ~1100 cm–1. In the spectrum of the disrupted wood, the intensity of the absorption bands in this area decreases, and in the spectra of the samples from the periphery and the center of the trunk that have preserved the morphological structure of the wood increases. There is a significant increase in the absorption band in the disrupted wood 1601 сm–1, that becomes bigger than, band intensity maximum 1508 сm–1, that is not typical for the IR spectrum of healthy coniferous wood, in which the ratio of the intensity of these absorption bands is the opposite.

This paper is devoted to the review of the environmental and trophic characteristic features of eurytrophic wood-destroying fungi in Krasnoyarsk and its nearest suburbs in habitat conditions with various anthropogenic loads. The research covered forest stand within the green areas of the city (including islands of the Yenisei River), forest areas at the outskirts of the city and in «Stolby» state nature reserve. The research included two species of tinder fungus widely spread in the Northern hemisphere: Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. (confined to various hardwoods, mostly birch) and Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. (confined to trees of various species). Both species of fungi are facultative parasites. The research showed that these species of fungi use quite a restricted set of host substrates showing a pretty narrow range of trophic preferences, despite the presence of numerous species of trees suitable for them at the surveyed area. F. fomentarius uses birch, poplar and aspen as a substrate within the researched area. It is very rarely found at other wood species. The trophic range of the highly eurytrophic species F. pinicola is represented here mostly by a few coniferous species, such as pine, fir and spruce tree. This fungus is present at birch trees and aspen much more rarely. These species of tinder fungi were not found at other wood species of the surveyed area. F. fomentarius is very often found at birches in the areas with minimal anthropogenic load (in «Stolby» nature reserve) and becomes less numerous with the increasing manthropogenic load. The situation is the contrary with poplar: F. fomentarius is rarely found at poplar in the areas with low or medium anthropogenic load, but often destroys poplar wood in the areas with the increased anthropogenic load (within the green space of urban areas). Moreover, F. fomentarius is often found in parklands, rather than along the roadside lanes. F. pinicola is typical for ecosystems with low anthropogenic load and prefers coniferous wood species. It is mostly found in ecosystems of “Stolby” natural reserve, mainly on fir and pine species.

The results of solid-phase and deep cultivation of the Siberian strain Fp6-17 Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. are presented. Growth parameters were determined on cellulose-containing agarized media and plant substrates with the addition of a solid phase after hydrodynamic activation of fir needles and sawdust of birch. Radial growth rate 3.0–4.3 mm / day; growth coefficient 37–64. Changes in polysaccharides in activated birch sawdust during fermentation noted, despite the low growth coefficient of the fungus. After hydrodynamic activation, the content of easily hydrolysable polysaccharides increased by 9 %, the proportion of hardly hydrolysable polysaccharides decreased by 8%. After further solid-phase cultivation, the content of easily and hardly hydrolysable polysaccharides decreased by 10 and 23%, respectively. The conditions for the deep cultivation of the strain Fp6-17 on a modified Norkrans medium with microcrystalline cellulose selected. At 26 °C and a pH of 4.6 on the seventh day, the maximum activity of carboxymethyl cellulase was 13.6 units / ml; biomass yield – 16.2 g/l. The optimal composition of the solid phase medium was selected after hydrodynamic processing of fir needles and sawdust of birch with enrichment of (NH4)2SO4. The maximum activity of the enzyme was 14.2 u/ml. With high enzymatic activity in the culture fluid, the formation of small globules with a diameter of up to 5 mm and a smaller amount of biomass is noted. At lower enzyme indices, in most cases a greater increase in biomass recorded due to the formation of large ellipsoid pellets with a fringed edge.

The vegetative part of coniferous and deciduous wood plants is a unique source of natural compounds. The natural renewability of woody plants makes them an inexhaustible raw material for the production of biologically active substances. In the process of their production, about 70% of the non-recyclable post-extraction residue of the vegetative part remains, which is used as a feed additive. Since many plant wastes have a low protein content, in which essential amino acids are most often the limiting ones, they must be enriched with microbial protein, in particular the protein of basidial fungi. For this purpose, the fungi Fomitopsis pinicola (sw.) P. KARST (Fp5-15) were used in this work, since they are the least demanding to plant substrates and have high growth indicators. The purpose of this study was to study the amino acid composition of products obtained as a result of bioconversion of post-extraction residues of fir tree greens and the vegetative part of balsamic poplar (buds, litter). The analysis of the amino acid composition of the products showed that the protein score increases during the biodegradation process (phenylalanine and tyrosine-by 35 %, threonine – by 37.5%). Also, high amounts of glycine, alanine, histidine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid were found in the products of biodegradation. In terms of the content of a number of amino acids, the resulting products are superior to cereals and feed products based on the vegetative part of woody plants. Thus, the results obtained show the possibility of using fermentation products as protein feed additives.

A case of industrial contamination by microscopic fungi of a human recombinant immunoglobulin as a solution for injection was investigated. Flaky fragments of fungal mycelium were present in the test vials. The study was conducted by light microscopy, agar plating, and DNA analysis. Three isolates were identified including Cladosporium cladosporioides (occurring in plant debris and soil), Fomitopsis pinicola (wood-destroying fungus), and an ascomycetous fungus from the order Helotiales (saprotrophs and woody plant parasites). The appearance of these species in the pharmaceutical product could not result from biocontamination of the production line but might be caused by external contamination. Thus, it was found that outdoor air entered the sterile preparation bottling room. An internal investigation conducted at the production site established that employees once rudely violated the rules of aseptic conditions by opening a window in the bottling room. Accurate identification of the fungal contaminant species allowed plant downtime to be avoided and the root cause of the problem to be established.

A chemical investigation on the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola led to the isolation and identification of 28 lanostane triterpenoids including 11 new compounds (1-11) and 17 known analogues (12-28). Their structures were elucidated by extensive one-dimensional NMR, two-dimensional NMR, and MS spectra. All isolates were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity in vitro, and effect on glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Compounds 1, 4, 22, 23, and 27 inhibited the nitric oxide released from the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell assay with IC50 values in the range of 21.4-27.2 μM. Compounds 18, 22, 23, and 28 showed strong PTP1B inhibitory activity with IC50 values in the range of 20.5-29.9 μM, comparable to that of the positive control of oleanolic acid (15.0 μM). Compounds 18 and 22 were confirmed to be good competitive inhibitors of PTP1B by kinetic analysis. In addition, compounds 18, 22, and 28 were found to stimulate glucose uptake in the insulin-resistant HepG2 cells in the dose from 6.25 to 100 μM. These findings indicated the potential of F. pinicola in the development of functional food or medicine for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

The current study proposes a bio-directed approach for the formation of titanium oxide and silver nanoparticles (TiO2 and Ag NPs), using a wild mushroom, Fomitopsis pinicola, identified by 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing (gene accession no. MK635350) and phenotypic examination. NP synthesis was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectroscopy (DR-UV), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). Furthermore, the impact of NPs on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and a human colon cancer cell line (HCT) were evaluated by MIC/MBC and MTT assays, respectively, along with structural morphogenesis by different microscopy methods. The results obtained showed that TiO2 and Ag NPs were found to be significantly active, however, slightly enhanced antibacterial and anticancer action was seen with Ag NPs (10–30 nm). Such NPs can be utilized to control and treat infectious diseases and colon cancer and therefore have potential in a range of biomedical applications.

This study examined biological characteristics, liquid fermentation, and cultivation of Fomitopsis pinicola. A single-factor test concluded that the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for mycelial growth were soluble starch and yeast paste; the optimal culture temperature was 31°C, and the optimal pH was 6.0. The orthogonal experiment indicated that the optimal formula for mycelial culture was 25 g soluble starch, 2 g yeast extract, 1 g KH2PO4, and 1.5 g MgSO4 added to 1 L water. The optimal conditions for liquid fermentation culture consisted of the following: a loading volume 90 mL, inoculation volume 30 mL, and rotation speed 160 rpm. The optimal substrate formula for domestic culture was 20% corn cob, 30% sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 25% cotton seed shell, 3% corn meal, 1% gypsum, and 1% lime, which produced the highest yield of fruiting bodies. The results provided basic data for deep liquid fermentation culture and recommendations for the further development and utilization of F. pinicola.

Species richness and composition of macrofungi on huge fallen trunks of spruce (Picea abies) were monitored at a model old-growth forest locality, Boubinský prales virgin forest (Czech Republic). Using detailed survey of all macrofungal groups based on fruit bodies, 168 species were recorded on 33 trunks with a diameter of 100–150 cm, which is a very high species richness. Individual trunks were inhabited by 6–32 species. The number of species per trunk was positively correlated with increasing tree cover, medium decay stages, and decreasing altitude. The species-richest groups were resupinate fungi with annual basidiomata and fleshy saprotrophic fungi. Species composition on particular trunks was significantly influenced by percentage of bark cover, altitude, and decay stage and to a lesser degree also by percentage of trunk contact with the soil and cover of mosses, trees, and shrubs. Resupinate fungi and fleshy saprotrophs were distributed along the entire decay gradient. Most polypores prevailed in early decay stages. Mycorrhizal agarics were associated with the latest stages. The presence of dominant species Fomitopsis pinicola had a low effect on the composition of other fungal species on the same trunk, whereas Phellinus nigrolimitatus had a significant effect. The monitoring revealed 71% of species known at the locality from spruce, and 45 species new to the locality, especially those with inconspicuous fruit bodies. The previously published field survey was more efficient for capturing rare species with larger fruit bodies. Both methods should be combined during mycobiota inventories.

The antidiabetic effect of different doses of water extract (WE) and ethanol extract (EE) was tested on a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Parameters were evaluated with normal control (NC), diabetes mellitus control (DM), and metformin (M) groups. In the experiment, nine groups were used with eight rats in each group and three doses of each WE and EE were used, with low, medium, and high doses. The results revealed that the DM group lost a significant amount of weight, whereas the NC group's weight increased throughout the experiment. After treatment with Fomitopsis pinicola, the EE group's weight increased gradually. Liver, kidney, and pancreas weight decreased after STZ injection and returned to normal in EE treated groups. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were observed to be significantly lower after F. pinicola treatment. Serum insulin levels were also restored to normal after mushroom extracts supplementation. Specifically, STZ-induced hyperglycemia was inhibited by high dose EE administration. The biochemical analysis revealed that high-dose EE treatment increased HDL-C and decreased TC, TG, and LDL-C. Results demonstrated that high-dose EE administration protected the organ tissues from oxidative stress by normalizing the antioxidant levels, and CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px suppressed the lethal effect of MDA. The study concluded that F. pinicola EE at the dose 300 mg/kg has a more hypoglycemic, hyperinsulinemic, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic effect than NC, DM, and M, and regulates hyperglycemia by increasing insulin secretion.

The market for medicinal mushrooms is steadily increasing as they are a source of valuable biologically active compounds, which are extracted from the fruiting bodies and mycelial biomass of the mushrooms using suitable solvents. After extraction, the inactive extracted fungal biomass remains in the form of a filter cake that has not yet been properly valorised. Promoting the use of by- products and waste materials as a resource is one of the basic ideas of the circular economy model that has been implemented in the development strategies of many countries. The potential of microbial biomass, both living and inactive, as adsorbents (biosorbents) for the removal of a variety of pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, synthetic dyes, pharmaceuticals, etc.) has been intensively studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the biosorption potential of the extracted inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom Fomitopsis pinicola for the removal of the synthetic dye Congo red (CR) from a model dye solution. The effect of various factors affecting the adsorption process was studied in a batch procedure, namely the concentration of biosorbent (0.4 - 10 g/L), contact time (5 - 360 min), initial CR concentration (10 - 150 mg/L), pH (4 - 10), and temperature (15 - 35 C). The obtained data were analyzed using adsorption equilibrium models (Freundlich and Langmuir) and kinetic models (pseudo-first order model and pseudo second order model). The percentage of CR removal increased with increasing biosorbent concentration and contact time between biosorbent and CR. Increasing the initial CR concentration resulted in a decrease in the percentage of its removal, but also increased the adsorption capacity. The biosorption efficiency was highest at pH=4. Analysis of the experimentally obtained data using equilibrium and kinetic adsorption models revealed that the Freundlich model and the pseudo-second- order model better described the process of CR biosorption on inactive F. pinicola biomass. The results suggest that the extracted inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom F. pinicola has potential for remediation of wastewater contaminated with synthetic dyes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the biosrptive potential of the inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom Fomitopsis pinicola (fruiting body and mycellial biomass) to remove the synthetic dye malachite green (MG) from water. Various factors affecting the biosorption process were investigated in a batch procedure, namely the concentration of biosorbent (0.5 - 10 g/L), contact time (1 - 180 min), initial dye concentration (10 - 100 mg/L), and pH (4 - 10). The percentage of dye removal increased with increasing biosorbent concentration and contact time between biosorbent and MG. A decrease in the percentage of dye removal (from 96 to 58%) and an increase in the amount of dye adsorbed on biomass (from 4.33 to 19.61 mg/g) were observed when the concentration of MG was increased from 10 to 100 mg/L. The removal of MG from synthetic wastewater with the addition of MG was as efficient as the removal from MG model solutions, with the percentage of dye removal ranging from 62.6 to 96.75%. The pH > 7 favoured the efficiency of biosorption. The data from the model MG solution experiments were analysed using adsorption equilibrium models (Freundlich and Langmuir). The results showed that the Freundlich model described the process of MG biosorption on inactive F. pinicola biomass slightly better. The results suggest that the extracted inactive biomass of the medicinal mushroom F. pinicola has potential for remediation of wastewater contaminated with the synthetic dye malachite green. synthetic dyes.