Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible and medicinal macrofungus widely distributed in temperate regions, typically parasitizing broadleaf trees and possessing significant nutritional, economic, and ecological value. In recent years, with the growing interest in natural products and functional foods, this fungus has attracted considerable attention due to its diverse chemical constituents and notable biological activities. Studies have shown that its fruiting bodies and mycelia are rich in various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, sterols, sesquiterpenes, and polyphenols. These constituents exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and metabolic regulatory effects. This review systematically summarizes the major classes and structural characteristics of these chemical constituents from L. sulphureus. Particular emphasis is placed on their pharmacological activities, especially antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms, including the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling pathways, and apoptosis. In addition, current limitations, such as insufficient studies on active substances, unclear mechanisms of action, and lack of clinical evidence, are critically discussed. Finally, future perspectives on the application of L. sulphureus in drug discovery and functional food development are proposed, aiming at providing a theoretical basis for its further research and high-value utilization.
The Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest, located in southwestern Yunnan Province, China, is one of the world’s best-preserved and largest ancient tea forest landscapes and possesses significant ecological and cultural value. However, systematic research on the fungal diversity associated with tea trees in this region remains limited, particularly regarding saprobic fungi inhabiting dead branches. In this study, saprobic fungi associated with dead branches of tea trees Camellia sinensis were investigated in the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest. Specimens were examined through single-spore isolation, strain purification, and morphological observations, combined with phylogenetic analyses based on multiple gene loci. The results revealed two taxa that differ significantly from known species in both phylogenetic placement and morphological characteristics including stromatal structure, ascus and ascospore morphology and size. These taxa are described herein as new species, Diatrype jingmaiensis and Nemania jingmaiensis. Diatrype jingmaiensis is characterized by its dark olivaceous green stromata, and uniseriate, yellow, allantoid, and aseptate ascospores. Diatrype jingmaiensis has semi-immersed stromata, and ascospores ellipsoid to slightly fusoid, with a fairly conspicuous, straight, almost spore-length germ slit on the least convex side.
Samsoniella is an important genus recently segregated from the Isaria-like complex, characterized by high species diversity, a wide range of hosts, and broad ecological distribution. During field investigations in the karst region of Guizhou, a cordycipitoid specimen was collected from a broad-leaved forest in Baiyunshan Scenic Area, Changshun county, Guizhou Province. Through isolation and purification, morphological examination, and phylogenetic analyses based on a five-locus dataset (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2), the specimen was confirmed as a new species, and herein named Samsoniella longicatenata. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that S. longicatenata is closely related to S. coccinellidicola, S. guizhouensis, S. pupicola, S. simplicola, and S. tiankengensis. However, it can be clearly distinguished from these related species by its phialides that are solitary or opposite, lacking basal swelling, and conidia that are typically arranged in long chains (20-30 conidia per chain). In addition, a relatively comprehensive phylogenetic framework for the genus Samsoniella was reconstructed using a combined five-gene dataset, resolving five major phylogenetic clades within the genus. It is found that ITS sequences exhibit widespread haplotype sharing among different Samsoniella species. The discovery of S. longicatenata enriches the current knowledge on species diversity of Samsoniella from the karst forests of Guizhou. The genus-level phylogenetic framework established here demonstrates that ITS is unsuitable as a molecular marker for species identification and phylogenetic inference within this genus. Further studies on species diversity of Samsoniella in the karst forests of Guizhou are needful.
The macrofungal biodiversity in Guanshan National Nature Reserve of Jiangxi Province, a vital component of the Jiuling Mountains, remains insufficiently understood. A comprehensive inventory of macrofungal resources in the reserve based on systematic field surveys conducted from 2022 to 2023 was carried out. In total, 810 specimens were collected during the field surveys. Based on morphological examination in combination with molecular phylogenetic analysis, 251 macrofungal species were identified. These taxa are distributed in 2 phyla, 6 classes, 19 orders, 76 families and 143 genera, comprising 222 basidiomycetes (88.45%) and 29 ascomycetes (11.55%). Notably, 12 species represent new records for China. The dominant families are Polyporaceae, Russulaceae, Agaricaceae, Boletaceae, Omphalotaceae and Marasmiaceae, with the sum of species accounting for 40.24% of the total number of macrofungal species; the dominant genera include Russula, Marasmius, Collybiopsis, Ganoderma, Trametes and Ophiocordyceps, with the sum of species accounting for 20.32% of the total number of macrofungal species. The economic value evaluation showed that there were 52 edible species, 58 medicinal species, 43 mycorrhizal species, 34 poisonous species and 135 wood-decaying species. Analysis of floristic geographical elements at the generic level indicated a predominance of cosmopolitan taxa, which accounted for 71.33% of the total number of macrofungal genera. The coexistence of north temperate elements (13.99%) and tropical elements (9.79%) reflected the transitional characteristics of the mid-subtropical transitional flora. Regarding the assessment of threat status, two species were categorized as near threatened (NT), while data deficient (DD) species accounted for 25.77% of the total. Ten species were identified as endemic to China. This study provides the primary systematic documentation of the species diversity, floral composition, and resource status of macrofungi in the Guanshan National Nature Reserve, establishing a critical scientific foundation for the conservation and sustainable utilization of the regional fungal resource.
To clarify the virulence structure of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in the Pan-Himalayan region, a total of 297 isolates was collected during 2024-2025 from China (Xizang, Yunnan, and Qinghai), as well as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal. These isolates were purified and characterized using wheat near-isogenic lines carrying different Yr resistance genes for physiological race identification and virulence phenotype diversity analysis. In total, 35 known physiological races and 82 previously unreported races were identified, of which PSTv-076 was the predominant race, accounting for 18.52% of the isolates. Among all tested isolates, virulence frequency was highest to Yr6 (96.63%), whereas no isolate virulent to Yr5 was detected. Virulence diversity analysis showed that the China (eastern Xizang) population (G5) exhibited the highest values for all diversity indices. In contrast, the Afghanistan population (G1) had the lowest Nei’s diversity index (Hs) and Kosman index (K), the India-Nepal-China (western Xizang) population (G2) showed the lowest values for Simpson index (Si), normalized Shannon index (Sh), Stoddart index (St), Shannon index (SH), and richness (E), and the Pakistan population (G3) had the lowest Gleason index (G). Cluster analysis based on virulence phenotypes revealed that the China (Qinghai) population (G4) was the most distinct and formed an independent cluster, whereas the remaining five populations grouped into another major cluster. Within this cluster, the Afghanistan (G1), India-Nepal-China (western Xizang) (G2), and Pakistan (G3) populations showed highly similar virulence structures and formed a subcluster, while the China (eastern Xizang) (G5) and China (Yunnan) (G6) populations were successively clustered on the periphery. These findings elucidate the physiological race composition and virulence structure of Pst populations in the Pan-Himalayan region and provide a theoretical basis for the rational deployment of wheat cultivars carrying effective resistance genes in this area.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) serve as an important nutrient acquisition medium for plant growth and forest development. Numerous studies concerning root EMF diversity of different tree species have reported, while researches on the dynamics of EMF communities at different developmental stages of plant hosts remain scarce. This study focused on the analysis of EMF community compositions in the root systems of Abies nephrolepis at different developmental stages (sapling, juvenile, and adult) in Changbai Mountain. Based on high-throughput sequencing of the fungal ITS2 region, 596 EMF amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were obtained. EMF diversity increased as a whole with the host matured, and the differences in community composition significantly decreased. At each taxonomic level, the fungal communities exhibited enrichment characteristics related to the developmental stage. In the sapling stage, the EMF diversity was less affected by soil physicochemical properties; in the juvenile stage, it was mainly influenced by soil organic matter and Mg2+; in the adult tree stage, pH was the key factor affecting EMF diversity. Wilcoxina enriched in the sapling stage showed a significant negative correlation with most soil factors; in the juvenile stage, the indicator taxa Tylospora, Lactarius, and Tricholoma were significantly positively correlated with soil physicochemical properties. In the adult stage, Clavulina was recognized as the most important indicator taxa for predicting soil nutrient.
Wheat dwarf bunt disease (DB) is a major quarantinable disease caused by the infection of Tilletia controversa (TCK). Accurate and rapid detection of TCK is crucial for port quarantine and disease prevention and control. In this study, a rapid visual detection system combining recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with CRISPR/Cas12a was established by targeting a highly conserved gene fragment on the TCK genome (accession No. LWDE02001036.1). This system could complete the detection of the target pathogen within 20 minutes under a constant temperature of 37 ℃, with the detection sensitivities of 200 fg/μL and 10¹ copies/μL for TCK genomic DNA and recombinant plasmids, respectively, and the minimum detectable limit of 40 teliospores. The detection results can be directly read by the color reaction of nucleic acid test strips. With the advantages of high specificity, high sensitivity and rapidity, this system provides technical support for TCK quarantine at grassroots ports.
The nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC), a heterodimeric complex consisting of α and β subunits, serves as a pivotal regulator in orchestrating organismal growth, development, and stress response cascades. Leveraging genome-wide datasets of Lentinula edodes, the present study identified two NAC family genes designated as LeNACα and LeNACβ. Bioinformatics analyses were performed using online platforms, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were employed to dissect the expression patterns of these two genes at distinct developmental stages and in response to abiotic stresses. Sequence analysis revealed that the full-length of LeNACα gene spanned 1 057 bp, harboring an open reading frame (ORF) of 612 bp that encoded a polypeptide of 203 amino acids. The full-length of LeNACβ gene was 988 bp, with an ORF of 489 bp encoding a 162-amino acid protein. Neither gene encodes a protein with transmembrane domains or disulfide bonds, yet both contain signal peptides. Conserved domain prediction and phylogenetic tree construction further confirmed that LeNACα and LeNACβ are phylogenetically affiliated with the α and β subunit families of NAC, respectively. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that both genes exhibit high expression levels during the fruiting body stage. LeNACα displays the highest expression in the pileus, whereas LeNACβ is most prominently expressed at the primordium stage. In terms of abiotic stress responses, high-temperature treatment induces a significant upregulation of both genes, while salt stress leads to a marked downregulation. Under oxidative stress conditions, LeNACα is significantly downregulated, whereas LeNACβ shows no statistically significant changes in expression. The above findings indicate that the two LeNAC genes in L. edodes may jointly participate in the growth and development of fruiting bodies, and can respond to high-temperature, salt, and oxidative stresses, thereby involving in the associated regulatory processes.
The manganese peroxidase (MnP) gene family plays a crucial role in the extracellular degradation of lignocellulose by white-rot fungi. In this study, the MnP gene family in the genome of Stropharia rugosoannulata was systematically identified and analyzed using bioinformatics approaches, and the effects of different agricultural wastes (T1−T5) on mycelial growth, MnP activity, and the relative expression levels of MnP gene family members were investigated. The results showed that eight MnP gene family members (SrMnP1−SrMnP8) were identified from the S. rugosoannulata genome, and they were distributed at six chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed species-specific clades. The addition of 2% cottonseed hull (T3) and 4% sawdust (T5) significantly promoted mycelial growth. The T5 treatment showed the highest mycelial dry weight, increasing 44 times as compared with the control. MnP activity was significantly increased in the sawdust treatments, with the highest enzyme activities observed in the 2% sawdust (T4) and 4% sawdust (T5) treatments, reaching 4.85 U/g and 4.25 U/g, respectively. Gene expression analysis revealed that SrMnP3 exhibited significantly higher expression levels as compared with other SrMnPs across all treatments. This study preliminarily revealed the composition and expression characteristics of the MnP gene family in S. rugosoannulata, defining SrMnP3 as a key player in lignocellulose degradation. These findings provide technical references for optimizing fungal degradation capabilities through molecular approaches and enhancing the resource utilization of agricultural and forestry residues.
Dark septate endophytes (DSE) are widely distributed in the roots of wild Saussurea involucrata and play important ecological roles. In this study, two fungal strains, SI-5 and SI-16, were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Their temperature adaptability and ability to produce soil enzymes and plant hormones were evaluated. In addition, the effects of the two symbionts on the growth and physiological characteristics of S. involucrata seedlings, as well as soil enzyme activities and plant hormone content in the growth substrate, were evaluated in comparison with those of non-inoculated plants. SI-5 and SI-16 were identified as Juxtiphoma sp. and Leptodophora sp., respectively. It was found that both DSE strains successfully colonized seedling roots and significantly enhanced the activities of five soil enzymes as well as the content of auxin and cytokinin in the substrate. Compared with cultivation at constant temperature of 20 ℃, proline content in the SI-5 and SI-16 symbiotic groups increased by 74.5-107.9-fold under 20 ℃/10 ℃ conditions, markedly lower than the 331.6-fold increase observed in the non-inoculated group, demonstrating stronger adaptation of symbiotic seedlings to cope with temperature changes. After 12 h of exposure under 0 ℃ condition, peroxidase (POD) activity in the SI-5 symbiotic group increased significantly by 40.7% as compared with that of the pre-stress level, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity showed no significant change. In contrast, the non-inoculated group showed only a 7.8% increase in POD activity, accompanied by a significant decrease in SOD activity. The activities of five soil enzymes in the symbiotic groups were significantly higher than those in the non-inoculated group, and total auxin content increased by approximately 10%. The results provide insight into the mechanisms by which DSE enhance the ecological adaptability of S. involucrata.
Dendrobium is an important medicinal and economic genus in Orchidaceae and is closely associated with mycorrhizal fungi for their germination, growth and development during lifestyle cycle. A fungal strain (C0337) belonging to Tulasnella from the roots of Dendrobium huoshanense was isolated by using the tissue isolation method. Co-culture experiment between the fungal strain and seeds of Dendrobium officinale and D. huoshanense was conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the effects of the fungus on seed germination. In addition, the fungal effects on plant growth and stem polysaccharide accumulation were investigated under co-cultivation condition. The results showed that the Tulasnella strain significantly promoted seed germination of both Dendrobium species on oatmeal agar (OMA) medium and potato-dextrose-peat soil mixed substrate. The fungus also markedly enhanced rooting and tillering of D. officinale seedlings and significantly increased polysaccharide content in the stems. These findings indicate that this fungal strain has positive effects on the growth and polysaccharide accumulation of medicinal Dendrobium and provides a valuable resource for application in the cultivation and quality regulation of medicinal Dendrobium.
This study systematically investigated the biological characteristics and artificial domestication of Cryptoporus qinlingensis. The results indicated that the optimal culture medium for mycelial growth was fructose 17.41 g/L as carbon source, yeast extract 2.2 g/L as nitrogen source, magnesium sulfate 2.27 g/L as inorganic salt, and Vitamin B1 as the essential vitamin. The mycelia grew well at optimal temperature of 28 °C. For expanded domestication, the optimal substrate formula was composed of 80% pine sawdust, 14% wheat bran, 5% corn flour, and 1% gypsum. Sackful mycelial colonization was completed within 30 days under dark incubation, followed by a 10-day post-ripening period. Primordia emerged in 12 days after induction by puncturing, and mature basidiomata were obtained after 28 days. The cultivation system achieved a success rate of 97.5%, with an average biological efficiency of 1.96% for the first fruiting flush. The morphology of the cultivated basidiomata was consistent with wild specimens, exhibiting a subglobose or depressed-globose shape, a characteristic arched aperture at the base, and a distinct, intense aromatic fragrance. This study provides a referential technical support for the large-scale cultivation and resource conservation of C. qinlingensis.
Three polysaccharides (AHP) from Auricularia heimuer, AHP-60, AHP-70 and AHP-80, were prepared through alcohol precipitation at concentrations of 60%, 70% and 80%. The basic physicochemical properties such as content of polysaccharide, protein and uronic acid, monosaccharide composition and rheological properties as well as structural characteristics and hypoglycemic activity were studied. The results showed that all three AHPs contained a small amount of protein and uronic acid, and the content was between 1.2% and 4.9%. With the increase of alcohol precipitation concentration, the polysaccharide content, particle size and absolute value of zeta potential of AHP increased significantly. All three AHPs had a triple helix structure and were heteropolysaccharide mainly composed of mannose, ribose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose. Mannose and glucose had a high proportion. The molar ratio of glucose and galactose in AHP-70 was significantly higher than that in AHP-60 and AHP-80. All three AHPs exhibited the characteristics of pseudoplastic fluids. With the increase of alcohol precipitation concentration and mass concentration, the apparent viscosity of AHP solution also increases. AHP-80 had the highest viscosity at 4 mg/mL. All three polysaccharides exhibited good inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and the inhibitory ability to the two enzymes was respectively AHP-70>AHP-60>AHP-80 and AHP-70>AHP-80>AHP-60. In summary, increasing the concentration of alcohol precipitation can prepare higher content and greater viscosity of Auricularia heimuer polysaccharides, and 70% alcohol precipitation concentration can prepare the polysaccharides with better hypoglycemic activity. This study provides a theoretical basis for the comprehensive development, utilization and in-depth study of Auricularia heimuer polysaccharides.
This study utilized fruiting bodies of Oudemansiella raphanipes cultivated in substrates of nine formulations designed through orthogonal experiments. Polysaccharides were extracted on the basis of the water extraction and alcohol precipitation, and the extraction process was optimized using single-factor and orthogonal tests, and focused on examining the effects of solid-to-liquid ratio, extraction time, extraction temperature, and ethanol concentration on polysaccharide yield. Additionally, the influence of different substrate formulations on the polysaccharide content and antioxidant activity of the fruiting bodies was analyzed. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the polysaccharides was evaluated by measuring their scavenging capacity against DPPH radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and ABTS radicals. The results indicated that the optimal extraction conditions for O. raphanipes polysaccharides were solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:30 (g/mL), extraction time of 4 h, extraction temperature of 100 ℃, and ethanol concentration of 95%. The substrate composed of 55% distiller’s grains, 20% cottonseed hulls, 20% wheat bran, 2% lime, 1% gypsum, and 2% corncobs yielded the highest polysaccharide content, reaching 20.05%. The polysaccharides exhibited strong antioxidant activity. At added liquid volumes of 0.8, 0.8, and 0.6 mL, the scavenging rates for DPPH radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and ABTS radicals were 87.03%, 88.91%, and 93.77%, respectively, with corresponding IC50 values of 0.46, 0.34, and 0.15 mg/mL. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical reference for the high-value development and functional cultivation of O. raphanipes.
