Search Results (6)

Armillaria is a genus of macrofungi with high ecological, biological, medicinal, and edible value. As facultative plant pathogens and nutritional symbionts, Armillaria species support the growth of valuable medicinal plants including Gastrodia elata and Polyporus umbellatus. They also exhibit unique traits such as exceptional longevity, widespread clonal expansion, rhizomorph formation, and bioluminescence, making them a valuable model for studying fungal ecology, symbiosis, specialized metabolism, and applied research. This review summarizes recent progress in Armillaria research, covering biological characteristics, nutritional components, bioactive constituents, species identification, genomic resources, and biosynthetic pathways. We discuss advances in artificial cultivation and the regulatory roles of exogenous phytohormones in mycelial and rhizomorph development. The nutritional value of fruiting bodies is highlighted, with a focus on key pharmacologically active metabolites such as protoilludane-type sesquiterpenes and polysaccharides. We also review multilocus phylogenetic analysis, comparative genomics, and the biosynthetic gene clusters of melleolides and bioluminescence, which have improved understanding of Armillaria evolution and functional differentiation. Full article

Polyporus umbellatus is a valuable fungus with both dietary and medicinal applications. However, heterogeneous germplasm and chemical variability constrain its sustainable use. To elucidate the drivers of this variation, whole-genome resequencing and metabolic profiling were integrated. Genome-wide analysis of representative accessions revealed six distinct genetic clusters across China, identifying the Qinling–Daba Mountains as a putative center of diversity. Population analysis indicated severe genetic erosion with significant heterozygote deficits, likely driven by inbreeding and long-term clonal propagation. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that genetic lineage, rather than traditional commercial morphotypes (Zhushiling and Jishiling), is the primary determinant of metabolite accumulation. Specific lineages were identified as superior germplasm candidates: Group 2 consistently exhibited the highest genetic potential for accumulating steroids, whereas Group 4 attained the highest polysaccharide yield. Although the global genetic–chemical correlation was weak, implying environmental plasticity, the distinct clustering of superior lineages confirms that core accumulation patterns are genetically canalized. These findings advocate for shifting quality control from morphological grading to molecular-assisted selection. Ultimately, this framework provides an evidence-based foundation for urgent in situ conservation to restore genetic diversity and facilitates precision breeding of high-efficacy cultivars. Full article

Polyporus umbellatus is a medicinal fungus primarily used for diuresis, with its sclerotium serving as the medicinal component. The growth and development of sclerotia are reliant on a symbiotic relationship with Armillaria. However, the impact of different Armillaria species on the yield and quality of sclerotia remains unclear. In this study, three Armillaria strains, A35, A541, and A19, were identified through TEF-1α sequence analysis and phylogenetic classification. These strains were classified into three distinct species: A35 as A. ostoyae, A541 as A. gallica, while the taxonomic status of A19 remains unresolved. After four years of co-cultivation with these Armillaria strains, three groups of P. umbellatus sclerotia were harvested and labeled as A35-P, A541-P, and A19-P, respectively. The yields of A35-P, A541-P, and A19-P exhibited significant variations, with A541-P achieving the highest yield (1221 ± 258 g·nest⁻¹), followed by A35-P (979 ± 201 g·nest⁻¹), and A19-P yielding the least (591 ± 54 g·nest⁻¹). HPLC revealed significant differences in the levels of polyporusterone A and polyporusterone B among the groups. The total polysaccharide content, determined via the phenol-sulfuric acid method, also varied significantly, with A541-P recording the highest content (0.897 ± 0.042%), followed by A19-P (0.686 ± 0.058%), and A35-P showing the lowest value (0.511 ± 0.083%). PCA based on these data indicated clear distinctions among A35-P, A541-P, and A19-P, with the three groups forming separate clusters. This study, for the first time, demonstrates the effects of three different Armillaria species on the yield and active compound content of P. umbellatus. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting high-quality Armillaria strains and offer guidance for the artificial cultivation of P. umbellatus. Full article

The sclerotium of the edible mushroom Polyporus umbellatus (Zhuling) exhibits various medicinal properties. However, given its long growth cycle and overexploitation, wild resources are facing depletion. Macrofungal growth depends on diverse microbial communities; however, the impact of soil bacteria on P. umbellatus development is unknown. Here, we combined high-throughput sequencing and pure culturing to characterize the diversity and potential function of bacteria and fungi inhabiting the P. umbellatus sclerotium and tested the bioactivities of their isolates. Fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were clustered and classified, revealing 1275 genera. Bacterial OTUs yielded 891 genera. Additionally, 81 bacterial and 15 fungal strains were isolated from P. umbellatus sclerotia. Antagonism assays revealed three bacterial strains (FN2, FL19, and CL15) promoting mycelial growth by producing indole-3-acetic acid, solubilizing phosphate, and producing siderophores, suggesting their role in regulating growth, development, and production of active compounds in P. umbellatus. FN2-CL15 combined with bacterial liquid promoted growth and increased the polysaccharide content of P. umbellatus mycelia. This study reports new bioactive microbial resources for fertilizers or pesticides to enhance the growth and polysaccharide accumulation of P. umbellatus mycelia and offers guidance for exploring the correlation between medicinal macrofungi and associated microbial communities. Full article

Polyporus umbellatus is a well-known and important medicinal fungus in Asia. Its polysaccharides possess interesting bioactivities such as antitumor, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects. A qualitative and quantitative method has been established for the analysis of 12 monosaccharides comprising polysaccharides of Polyporus umbellatus based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization–ion trap–time of flight–mass spectrometry. The hydrolysis conditions of the polysaccharides were optimized by orthogonal design. The results of optimized hydrolysis were as follows: neutral sugars and uronic acids 4 mol/L trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), 6 h, 120 °C; and amino sugars 3 mol/L TFA, 3 h, 100 °C. The resulting monosaccharides derivatized with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone have been well separated and analyzed by the established method. Identification of the monosaccharides was carried out by analyzing the mass spectral behaviors and chromatography characteristics of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone labeled monosaccharides. The results showed that polysaccharides in Polyporus umbellatus were composed of mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, ribose, lyxose, erythrose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, and fucose. Quantitative recoveries of these monosaccharides in the samples were in the range of 96.10–103.70%. This method is simple, accurate, and sensitive for the identification and quantification of monosaccharides, and can be applied to the quality control of Polyporusumbellatus as a natural medicine. Full article

Modern research has found that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) and Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides (PUP) mainly exhibit immunoregulation. However, the immune function of a polysaccharide composition consisting of GLP and PUP has not been studied. In this study, we developed a polysaccharide composition consisting of GLP and PUP in a ratio of 3:1 (named GPP). The immunoregulation of GPP was detected in RAW264.7 macrophages. Then, the acute oral toxicity of GPP and the effect of GPP on immunoregulation in mice was detected. The results showed that GPP enhanced the function of macrophage RAW264.7 cells through improving phagocytic ability, nitric oxide (NO) production and the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. GPP belonged to the non-toxic grade in mice. Moreover, GPP significantly improved macrophage phagocytic function and the activity of natural killer (NK) cells after being administered to mice at a dose of 0, 3.6, 120, 360 mg/kg body weight (mg/kg BW) orally for 30 days. Taken together, these findings suggested that GPP moderately regulated immune function in mice, which contributes to the further development and utilization of GLP and PUP in immune function. Full article