Ribosomal DNA polymorphisms reveal genetic structure and a phylogeographic pattern in the Burgundy truffle Tuber aestivum Vittad.

Ectomycorrhizal ascomycetes belonging to the genus Tuber produce edible fruiting bodies known as truffles. Tuber aestivum, in particular, is a fungus appreciated worldwide and has a natural distribution throughout Europe. Most of the molecular studies conducted on this species have been focused on the question as to whether or not T. aestivum and the morphologically similar T. uncinatum are conspecific. Conversely, only a handful of studies have assessed the level and distribution of genetic diversity and occurrence of phylogeographic patterns in this species. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity of T. aestivum over a wide geographic range, performing an extensive sampling of specimens from Turkey, which is novel, to the best of our knowledge. We compared the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) profiles of 45 samples collected in different Turkish areas with those of 144 samples from all over Europe. We identified 63 haplotypes, 32 of which were exclusively present in Turkey. The majority of these haplotyes were also population specific. Haplotype network analysis and statistical tests highlighted the presence of a genetic structure and phylogeographic pattern, with three spatially distinct genetic clusters (northeastern Europe, southern Europe, and Turkey), with Turkey representing a diversity hotspot. Based on these results, we hypothesize the presence of glacial refugia for T. aestivum in Turkey, whereas European populations likely experienced a population bottleneck. The possible occurrence of cryptic species among Turkish T. aestivum samples also emerged. Our results are of practical relevance for the marketing of T. aestivum truffles and mycorrhizal seedlings and the preservation of the biodiversity of this species.

A new fatty acid ester from an edible mushroom Rhizopogon luteolus.

Phytochemical investigation of the Rhizopogon luteolus Fr. led to the isolation of one new fatty acid ester, 3-hydroxy-2,4-dimethylheptacosyl acetate (1) together with two known compounds tetracosanoic acid (2) and ergosterol (3). 1D and 2D NMR, and MS techniques were used for structural elucidation. Phenolic and fatty acid compositions were identified using HPLC-DAD and GC-MSD, respectively. Fumaric acid was the major phenolic acid, whereas linoleic, stearic and oleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids. Antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of the extracts and compounds (1-3) were tested spectrophotometrically. Among the extracts, hexane extract showed the highest activity in all tests, particularly in ß-carotene-linoleic acid assay (IC50: 16.65 ± 1.12 µg/mL). Furthermore, compound 3 exhibited higher antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities. The study indicates that R. luteolus can be used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of five wild mushroom species with total bioactive contents.

CONTEXT: Recently, mushrooms are interesting natural products to be investigated due to exhibiting various bioactivities. OBJECTIVE: This study determines the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of various extracts of five wild mushroom species. In addition, the total bioactive contents, namely, ascorbic acid, ß-carotene, and lycopene along with phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined spectrophotometrically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antioxidant activity was tested by using five complementary tests; namely, ß-carotene-linoleic acid, DPPH(•) scavenging, ABTS(•+) scavenging, cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and metal chelating assays. The in vitro anticholinesterase activity was tested against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes using the Ellman method. The spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, ß-carotene, and lycopene contents. RESULTS: The current study has shown that ethyl acetate extracts of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (IC50: 1.55 ± 0.05 µg/mL) and Funalia trogii (Berk.) Bondartsev & Singer (IC50: 4.31 ± 0.18 µg/mL) exhibited good lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. The DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays supported this activity. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Funalia trogii and Ganoderma lucidum indicated good anticholinesterase activity. Ganoderma lucidum had rich phenolic and flavonoid contents, indicating 98.67 ± 0.32 mg PEs/g extract and 160.38 ± 1.25 mg QEs/g extract, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that some of the mushroom species tested herein could be used in food and pharmaceutical industries as natural antioxidants.

Minerals and metals in mushroom species in Anatolia.

Mineral and metal contents of 24 wild mushroom species collected from Anatolia were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Eight minerals (Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, P and K) and six metals (Cr, Ni, Ag, Co, Cu and Pb) were studied. The mineral content of mushroom samples ranged 77.1-1061.2 mg/kg for Na, 268.1-1927.9 mg/kg for Mg, 19.3-352.9 mg/kg for Ca, 1.23-75.36 mg/kg for Mn, 27.8-816.1 mg/kg for Fe, 1.61-122.13 mg/kg for Zn, 176.7-5726.4 mg/kg for P and 1133.3-9866.7 mg/kg for K. The metal content ranged 0.03-10.58 mg/kg for Cr, 0.24-48.65 mg/kg for Ni, 0.02-0.63 mg/kg for Ag, 0.02-5.13 mg/kg for Co, 1.10-9.04 mg/kg for Cu and 0.07-8.46 mg/kg for Pb.

In vitro antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activity studies on three Agaricus species with fatty acid compositions and iron contents: a comparative study on the three most edible mushrooms.

The fatty acids of Agaricus essettei, Agaricus bitorquis and Agaricus bisporus were investigated by using GC and GC-MS. The dominant fatty acids were found to be linoleic (61.82-67.29%) and palmitic (12.67-14.71%) acids among the 13 fatty acids detected in the oils. Total unsaturation for the oils was calculated as 77.50%, 77.44%, and 79.72%, respectively. In vitro antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities were also studied. The ethyl acetate extract of Agaricus bitorquis showed the highest activity in ß-carotene-linoleic acid, DPPH(·) and ABTS(·)(+) assays, while the hexane extract of Agaricus bisporus exhibited the best metal chelating activity. The ethyl acetate and hexane extract of Agaricus bitorquis and the hexane extract of Agaricus essettei showed meaningful butyrylcholinesterase activity being close to that of galantamine. The extracts were found to be effective on Gram (+) bacteria, especially against Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. In conclusion, Agaricus bitorquis and Agaricus essettei demonstrated higher iron content, and better antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities than those of Agaricus bisporus commonly consumed mushroom. Hence, Agaricus species, particularly Agaricus bitorquis might be useful as antioxidant agents and moderate anticholinesterase agents, and their extracts will probably be used for development of dietary foods, food products and additives.

Macrofungi of Tavas (Denizli) district in Turkey.

Macrofungi samples have been collected during the field trips carried out in Tavas (Denizli) between in 1999-2001. As a result of field and Laboratory studies totally 45 taxa belong to 19 families were identified. Nine of these belong to Ascomycetes and 36 to Basidiomycetes. Seventeen species are edible and four taxa are poisonous.

New records of macrofungi from Turkey.

This taxonomic study is based on macrofungi collected Babadag District (Denizli) in the period 2005-2006. As a result of field and laboratory studies, five new records are presented. These species are Leptopodia elastica, Entoloma incarnatofuscescens, Geastrum minimum, Hygrophorus speciosus and Russula sororia.