China is a large country in the production of edible fungi. In order to further enhance the industrial innovation ability, increasing the basic research on edible fungi is the key breakthrough point. In recent years, with the rapid development of biotechnology, omics-drive research on edible fungi has shifted from phenotype description to systematic mechanism analysis. The application of single omics technology has achieved extensive progress in the genetic basis, gene regulation, protein dynamics, metabolic pathways, and phenotypic analysis of edible fungi. However, the problems of one-sided and fragmented data of single omics can be addressed only through integrated analysis of multi-omics. Therefore, multi-omics technology has gradually become the core driver for the paradigm shift in research on genetic breeding of edible fungi. Although the current research still faces challenges such as data quality, functional verification, computing resources, and integration complexity, future researches should focus on innovations in underlying technologies, AI-driven approaches, cross-scale integration, the construction of resource platforms, etc. Continued promotion of deep integration and innovative application of multi-omics will facilitate high-quality development of the industry of edible fungi, thereby meeting the needs of food security and public health.
Ophiocordyceps is a diverse, widely distributed, and host-rich genus of entomogenous fungi, with over 400 species reported to date. The Hengduan Mountains in Yunnan of southwestern China, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, represent a major center of diversity for this genus. In this study, we describe a new species of Ophiocordyceps from Hengduan Mountains in Yunnan, designated Ophiocordyceps paraisarioidea sp. nov., based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses using both single ITS sequences and a combined dataset of five loci (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2). Morphologically, this species is prone to misclassification as Paraisaria in virtue of stromatal structure, but it differs by having darker stromata, a spherical fertile part with apical protuberances, and multiseptate non-disarticulating ascospores. Five-gene phylogenetic analyses place O. paraisarioidea in the basal clade of Ophiocordyceps, clustering with Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza. Nevertheless, the two species exhibit notable differences in morphology and host preference: O. paraisarioidea has dark brown stroma with grayish-white tips and parasitizes lepidopteran larvae, whereas O. entomorrhiza forms nearly black stromata and infects both larvae and adults of coleopteran insects (Carabus sp.). Notably, the lepidopteran host of O. paraisarioidea challenges the prevailing hypothesis that Coleopterans represent the ancestral hosts of Ophiocordyceps, implying the occurrence of multiple host shifts during the early evolutionary history. The discovery of O. paraisarioidea may provide valuable insight into the origin and early diversification of this genus.
Edible and medicinal fungi are very rich in China. With the continuous deepening research on their species diversity and phylogeny, their species name and taxonomic status are continuously updated. Some species previously reported in China have found to be not existent in China. Some species have proved to be complex species or cryptic species. Previously, the edible and medicinal fungi in China were usually reported in the form of species checklist, and their taxonomic status and species composition were not clearly demonstrated. This article updates the checklist of edible and medicinal fungi in China in the form of species cataloging, with demonstration of their taxonomic status, based on the latest research results. A total of 1 495 species is recorded, belonging to 2 phyla, 10 classes, 29 orders, 115 families, and 353 genera. Among them, 1 013 species are edible, 744 medicinal and 262 simultaneously edible and medicinal. Of which, 33.1% of the species are previously unreported or taxonomically revised. It was found that edible fungi were dominated by species of Agaricales (44%), Russulales (16%) and Boletales (13%) of the Agaricomycetes, as well as Pezizales (6%) of the Pezizomycetes; medicinal fungi were dominated by species of Agaricales (35%), Polyporales (19%), Hymenochaetales (11%), Russulales (7%) and Boletales (7%) of the Agaricomycetes and Hypocreales (6%) of the Sordariomycetes.
Database/Dataset Profile
| Title | Species cataloging of edible and medicinal fungi in China |
|---|---|
| Data author (s) | WU Fang, LIU Shubin, WANG Xianghua, ZHANG Ming, YANG Zhuliang, DAI Yucheng |
| Data corresponding author | YANG Zhuliang (fungi@mail.kib.ac.cn); DAI Yucheng (yuchengdai@bjfu.edu.cn) |
| Database/Dataset composition | The dataset integrates the latest research results in recent years and updates the species list of edible and medicinal fungi in China. |
| Time range(data generation time) | 2019-2025 |
| Geographical scope | Geographical scope: Within the territory of China |
| File size | 232 KB |
| Data volume | 2 Phyla, 10 Classes, 29 Orders,115 families, 353 genera and 1 495 species |
| Data format | .doc |
| Data link | Website ( |
Species of Cantharellus are world-renowned edible fungi, capable of forming symbiotic relationships with various plants, including Pinaceae, Fagaceae, and Betulaceae. The genus is mainly characterized by its veined, ridged, or smooth hymenophore and is a crucial taxonomic group in the phylogenetic study of macrofungi. In China, 83 names of Cantharellus species have been recorded, but some of them are inaccurate. Based on extensive specimen collections and comprehensive literature review, combined with morphological observations and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of nrLSU, tef1, rpb2 and SSU, 35 species of Cantharellus present in China are confirmed, and 35 previously reported names are determined to be incorrect and excluded, in addition, 13 species with uncertain distributions are discussed in this study. A geographical distribution map of Cantharellus species in China is presented. This paper provides an important foundation for accurately understanding the species diversity and geographical distribution of Cantharellus in China.
Nine wild Morchella strains collected from pine forest post-fire area in Yajiang County, Sichuan Province were identified and domesticated. Based on morphological observation and DNA sequence analysis, the tested strains were identified as Morchella eximia. On PDA medium, strain 6278 showed the fastest mycelial growth and formed the most quantity of sclerotia; mycelial growth of YJ082186 was the slowest, and 6288 did not form sclerotia. Under the current cultivation mode, 6751-1 had the highest yield (1.33 kg/m2), and 6288 was next in yield (1.31 kg/m2). Among the nine strains, 6288 showed the best commercial traits, while YJ082176 has the highest density of fruiting, and the basidioma average size of 6283 was the largest. This study laid a foundation for the screening and breeding of M. eximia cultivars.
Cultivation of the wild Inocutis levis isolated from Populus euphratica in Xiaoguai Town in Karamay of Xinjiang was carried out. It was found that using starch and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, with the addition of KH2PO4 as inorganic salt, the fungus grew well under pH 9 and 35 ℃ conditions. During liquid cultivation, polysaccharide, polyphenol, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, scavenging abilities for free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the fungus were determined. The results provide basic data for the protection, evaluation, development, and utilization of this wild medicinal fungus resources in the future.
A wild white macrofungi collected from Leye County of Guangxi was identified as albino Oudemansiella raphanipes through morphological observation and molecular analysis. Optimal conditions for mycelial growth, including carbon source, nitrogen source, pH and temperature were determined using single-factor and orthogonal tests. The results showed that the suitable carbon source and nitrogen source were fructose (30 g/L) and yeast extract powder (8 g/L), respectively. The suitable pH and temperature were 8.0 and 25 ℃ respectively. The optimum combination condition for vigorous growth was fructose of 20 g/L, yeast extract powder of 6 g/L, pH of 7.0 and temperature of 25 ℃. Expanded bag-cultivation trials with 15 cm × 26 cm cultivation bag revealed that the bagful mycelial colonization time, in substrate containing 78% sawdust, was about 25 days, and subsequent cultivation for approximately 20 days resulted in appearance of the brown mottlement. The mushroom button arose approximately 60 days after soil-covering soil on the split of upside-down mushroom bag, and the fruiting bodies could be harvested after 4-6 days of subsequent cultivation. The average fresh fruiting body weight was 41.83 g/bag and the average biological efficiency was 16.09% in two fruiting stages. Albino O. raphanipes was susceptible to Trichoderma harzianum, with 33.04% inhibition rate before contact and 95.55% infection rate after contact. This research provides a theory reference for extended development and utilization of an albino O. raphanipes.
A Coprinellus saccharinus strain was isolated from mycelia on deciduous leaf humus in Nanshan Park (Qinglong County, Hebei, China). Four factors of biological characteristics were investigated. Fruiting bodies of this species were successfully cultivated. The scavenging capacities of both mycelium and fruiting body ethanol extracts against ABTS+·and·OH were also evaluated. The results indicated that the optimum carbon source for C. saccharinus strain were sucrose and soluble starch; the optimum nitrogen source was KNO3; the suitable pH range was 7-9, and the highest mycelial growth rate was observed at 25 ℃. Domestication experiment showed that bottleful mycelial colonization time required 20-25 d at (20±1) ℃; primordium differentiation demanded temperature difference of 2-4 ℃, relative air humidity at 70%-80%, photoperoid of 12 h/d 800-1000 lx under scattered light, and a duration of 10-15 d. Mature fruiting bodies can be harvested after continued cultivation for 2-3 d. The antioxidant activities of C. saccharinus ethanol extracts from mycelia and cultivated fruiting bodies increased gradually as additive amount raising. Scavenging rates against both ABTS+· and ·OH peaked at an additive volume of 200 μL. Scavenging rates of ethanol extract of cultivated fruiting bodies reached 97.93% and 67.22%, respectively, significantly higher than those of mycelia (64.73% and 24.74%). Both mycelium and cultivated fruiting body ethanol extracts exhibited stronger scavenging capacity against ABTS+· than ·OH. Scavenging rate differentials were 39.99% and 30.71%, respectively. These findings provided a practical basis for further investigations into cultivation techniques, physiological activities, pharmacological effects, and other utilizations of C. saccharinus.
The chemical constituents of Ganoderma subangustisporum and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were investigated. Two cadinane-type sesquiterpenes, 17-hydroxy-12-ethoxycarbonyl-α-cadinol (1) and 12-hydroxy-α-cadinol (2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of G. angustisporum mycelial cultures. Their structures were elucidated through high-resolution mass spectrometry, comprehensive nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. Compound 1 is novel due to the acetylation of its 12-hydroxy group, while compound 2 is reported for the first time from the genus Ganoderma. Both compounds 1 and 2 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of (96.72±3.87) μmol/L and (56.82±4.70) μmol/L, respectively. Molecular docking results indicate that compounds 1 and 2 primarily interact with key amino acid residues in the active site of α-glucosidase through hydrogen bonds.
Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal and edible fungus traditionally used for treating diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis, and related disorders. In this study, by use of solvent extraction and chromatographic techniques (reversed-phase silica gel, normal-phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20), eight compounds were isolated from I. obliquus. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as gallic acid (1), syringic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (4), inotodiol (5), cortinellin (6), lanosterol (7), and peroxide ergosterol (8). Anti-allergic activity assays demonstrated that inotodiol (5) significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation at concentrations of 4.96, 9.92, and 15.50 μmol/L, with inhibition rates of 51.03%, 30.53%, and 23.07%, respectively, indicating potent anti-allergic efficacy. Notably, inotodiol (5) exhibited unobserved cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 15.50 μmol/L, highlighting its potential as a candidate for novel anti-allergic drug development.
