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The edible fungi have both edible and medicinal functions, in which terpenoids are one of the most important active ingredients. Terpenoids possess a wide range of biological activities and show great potential in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. In this review, the diverse biological activities of edible fungi terpenoids were summarized with emphasis on the mechanism of anti-cancer and anti-inflammation. Subsequently, this review focuses on advances in knowledge and understanding of the biosynthesis of terpenoids in edible fungi, especially in the generation of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and triterpenes. This paper is aim to provide an overview of biological functions and biosynthesis developed for utilizing the terpenoids in edible fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different load prepared by impregnation method of chitosan-coconut shell biochar (C-CBC) and chitosan-apricot shell biochar (C-ABC) compound adsorption material. SEM and XPS were used to characterize the composite adsorption material, and the adsorption performance of the composite material to Cr in electroplating wastewater was studied. The results showed that chitosan and biochar were combined to form a composite with loose porous structure. The adsorption capacity and adsorption rate of Cr reached 1.621 mg/g and 97. 3% ( C-ABC) and 1. 615 mg/g and 96. 9% ( C-CBC) respectively. Chitosan and biochar have better recovery performance. Langmuir isothermal model and quasi-second order kinetic model can better describe the adsorption process. Thermodynamic studies show that Cr adsorption by chitosan-biochar is a spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible process. Chitosan-biochar could be used as a potential candidate biomass adsorbent for heavy metal pollutants in electroplating wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on different land use types, altitudes, soil and vegetation types etc, 171 representative topsoils (0-10 cm) were collected within the Yanghe watershed, China for determining the total concentrations, spatial distribution and influencing factors of selenium (Se). The results showed that the total selenium concentrations in soils within the watershed ranged from 0.02 to 3.24 mg x kg(-1) dry weight (dw). The geometric mean of Se in soils within the watershed was 0.30 mg x kg(-1), which was higher than those in Beijing plain (0.20 mg x kg(-1)), Hebei plain (0.19 mg x kg(-1)) and China (0.29 mg x kg(-1)). Soils which lacked Se (0.13-0.18 mg x kg(-1)) were mainly distributed in Huaian, Xuanhua, and Huailai counties. Se concentrations in most areas within the watershed were sufficient (0.18-0.45 mg x kg(-1)). In addition, Wanquan, Xinghe, Tianzhen and Yanggao counties also had some selenium-rich areas. Concentrations of Se were different under different land use types. They were of the following order: forest land > industrial and mining land > grassland > agricultural land. Agricultural land had the lowest concentrations of Se, with a mean concentration of 0.28 mg x kg(-1). We also found that parent materials and soil types had no significant effects on soil Se concentrations within the Yanghe Watershed. The results indicated that Se concentrations were positively and significantly correlated with clay contents and altitudes, but negatively and significantly with pH values. Furthermore, TOC, Fe and Al concentrations were also important factors influencing the Se concentrations in soils within the Yanghe Watershed.

Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) is widely consumed as a nutritious food due to its multiple health effects, especially immune function. This study was aimed at investigating its immune activity using the mice peritoneal macrophage model. Two polysaccharides, water and alkaline extraction of polysaccharides (W-PTR and A-PTR), from P. tuber-regium were used to test their immune functions and compare their possible activity differences. Results showed that both W-PTR and A-PTR showed a significant enhancement effect on the macrophage phagocytosis, and could activate the related enzymes, such as ATPases, lysozyme, and LDH, which are responsible for providing the maturation and proliferation process of macrophages with sufficient energy. In addition, levels of intracellular cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α, NO) were significantly increased after being treated with polysaccharides. A-PTR displayed a better performance than W-PTR in almost all tests. It is concluded that both polysaccharides could enhance the immune system by activating the macrophages and related enzymes, and induce the release of cytokines, indicating that polysaccharides are responsible for the immune function of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.).

Concentrations of organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) were determined in superficial sediment (0-25 cm) collected from 4 selected typical waters (Yuqiao reservoir, Haihe River, Haihe estuary and Bohai Bay) in Tianjin, China. Pollution index (P(i)) and enrichment factors (EF) were taken to analyze nutrients enrichment and dynamic characteristic. The results show that 4 typical waters are polluted by anthropogenic source and much higher than the permissible limits which most benthos can bearing, the concentrations of OM, TN, TP and BAP are decreasing progressively by the order: Haihe River > Haihe estuary> Bohai Bay Tianjin Sea Area. EF for OM, TN, TP and BAP reaches 1.6-6.5, 0.9-2.7, 0.9-2.6 and 4.4-9.2, respectively. The concentrations of BAP in different waters are inconsistent with those of TP, the ratio of BAP to TP in Yuqiao reservoir is the biggest, 16.3%, which shows endogenous source release is serious and eutrophication is the key problems of water pollution. The concentrations of OM and BAP increase in large scale between 1988 and 2005, TP basically keeps unchanging and TN slightly increases. Around Haihe River sediment dredging, nutrient concentrations (OM, TN and TP) of superficial sediments in Haihe River reduce to 57.7%, 82.8% and 85.2% of original concentration, respectively. And sediment dredging plays a positive role in nutrients removal.

Concentrations of metals, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and organic matter were determined in topsoil (0-25 cm) and subsoil (25-50 cm) samples collected from 16 selected blocks in the sewage-irrigated area of Dagu Sewage Discharge Channel in Tianjin, China. Contamination factors (CF), relative enrichment factors (REF) and cluster analysis (CA) were taken to analyze the source and enrichment of heavy metals. The results show that the concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb and Zn are above the 1st limit value of Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (China), while those of As, Ni and Cr are below the 1st limit value of the standard. The concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, As, Ni and Cr in topsoil are 0.323, 0.341, 44.7, 108.29, 11.2, 29.86 and 66.6 mg/kg, respectively. CF and REF of Hg in topsoil are 10.8 and 7.2, respectively, which indicates very high contamination and moderately severe enrichment. Both factors of Cd are 3.8 and 4.5, and indicate considerable contamination and moderate enrichment. Those of Pb, Zn and As are all less than three, which indicates moderate contamination and minor enrichment. As for Ni and Cr, their contamination is low and no enrichment occurs. REF for Hg, Pb and Zn in topsoil is relatively higher than that in subsoil while As in subsoil is higher. When compared with data measured in 1985, the concentrations of Cd and As increase while those of Hg, Pb and Zn decrease. Furthermore, measures, including CA and in situ investigation, are taken to identify the main sources of heavy metal contamination, and it shows that Hg and As contamination result from anthropogenic effect as well as deposition of coal combustion. Cd, Zn and Pb contamination are mainly from sewage irrigation, and atmosphere deposition also makes certain contribution. Ni and Cr contamination are attributed to natural sources.

Concentrations of metals, organic matter(OM), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were determined in sediment and soil samples collected from 15 selected sites along Dagu sewage discharge channel in Tianjin, China. Relative enrichment factors and correlation analysis were taken to study the distribution and pollution level of metals. The results show that pollution level is more serious in sediment than that in soil. Hg, Cd, Zn and Pb are more enriched while Cr, Ni and As are less enriched. Relative enrichment factors (REF) of Hg, Cd, Zn and Pb in sediment are 59.3, 25.4, 14.5 and 7.5, and that in soil are 8.44, 5.19, 6.6 and 3.3, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations greatly vary among different sampling sites, which is demonstrated by the fact that coefficient of variation (CV) varies from 74.4% to 110.8% in sediment. The highest enrichments of heavy metals are found in sampling site S4 and S12, which are affected by chemical industry wastewater. There is no significant correlation between metal concentrations in sediment and those in soil. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediment are not reciprocally correlated, either. However, significant correlations exist among many pollutants in soil. Hg, Cd, Zn and Pb are positively correlated with each other, at the same time they are positively correlated with OM, TN and TP, but Cr, Ni and As are poorly correlated with OM and TP, which suggests that Cd, Zn and Pb have similar environmental geochemical properties and are contaminated by anthropogenic impact. When compared with the main rivers in Tianjin, the enrichment of heavy metals in Dagu sewage discharge channel is relatively high.