COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF KNOWLEDGE OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS IN VARNA REGION WITH OTHER FOREIGN GEOGRAPHIC ZONES

Purpose: The interest in evaluation of real knowledge of wild edible mushrooms at individual and population level increases mainly in developing countries. The purpose of our inquiry study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of the wild mushrooms in a random sample from the population of Varna region in Bulgaria. Material/Methods: We performed an anonymous questionnaire investigation of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, from Varna region, including 17 potential opinions from their personal knowledge of wild edible mushroom usage. Statistical data processing was performed using descriptive methods, variation and correlation analyses. Results: Most respondents acquired their knowledge of wild edible mushrooms from their relatives. From all 200 persons investigated 78 respondents were not capable of recognizing at least one wild edible mushroom at all. More respondents trusted other people, who have very good experience with preparation of wild mushrooms, thus relying on differentiation of a mushroom poison. Their awareness was associated with their capacity to properly recognize wild mushrooms as well as their long-term practice to recognize toxic mushrooms. Just a minority of respondents shared that wild mushrooms in their vicinity could be a problem and had a slight idea of mycotherapy. Only two females had heard about training for wild mushroom recognition. There were statistically significant correlation dependences between respondent’s awareness of wild edible mushrooms, on one hand, and individual sex status, educational level and main residence, on the other hand. Conclusion: Our study identified two most recognized wild edible mushroom species in Varna region, edible boletus (Boletus edulis Bull) and parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera S. F. Gray). Most respondents acquired their knowledge of wild edible mushrooms from relatives. A problem-oriented training of the population on this topic should be performed to improve awareness of common mushroom features and avoid mushroom poisoning.

Acute liver failure caused by Amanita verna: a case series and review of the literature

Background Amanita verna is one of the most harmful wild fungi in China. Amanita verna poisoning occurs every year, and the mortality is as high as 50%. However, its clinical manifestations are complex and diverse. Case presentation In March 2019, three patients took a large amount of Amanita, and one of them received liver transplantation in Zhongshan hospital, Sun Yat-sen University. All patients had vomiting and diarrhea 8–12 h after eating wild mushrooms (Amanita). The patients were initially diagnosed with Amanita poisoning. One case (case 3) was complicated and diagnosed as mushroom poisoning (fatal Amanita), toxic hepatitis, acute liver failure, toxic encephalopathy, hemorrhagic colitis, toxic myocarditis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and pregnancy. The general clinical data of all patients were recorded, who received early treatment such as hemodialysis, artificial liver plasma exchange, hormone shock and anti-infection. One case (case 1) recovered smoothly after liver transplantation, and the indexes of liver, kidney, coagulation function and infection were improved. The other two cases died of intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion Liver transplantation is an effective method for the treatment of acute liver failure caused by mushroom poisoning and can improve the survival rate of patients with toxic liver failure.

Effects of species and geo-information on the 137Cs concentrations in edible wild mushrooms and plants collected by residents after the Fukushima nuclear accident

After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), much of the wild and edible mushrooms and plants in the surrounding areas were contaminated with radiocesium (137Cs). To elucidate their concentration characteristics, we analyzed 137Cs radioactivity data in edible forest products brought in for food inspection by the residents of Kawauchi Village, 12–30 km away from the FDNPP, from 2012 to 2019. A Bayesian model to estimate 137Cs concentration was constructed. Parameters of the normalized concentration of species (NCsp) for mushrooms were similar to those of the same species obtained in a previous study. Although NCsp values were highly varied among species, mycorrhizal mushrooms tended to have high NCsp values, followed by saprotrophic mushrooms, and wild edible plants values were low. Also, half of mycorrhizal mushroom species (8 of 16) showed an increasing trend in concentration with time; however, saprotrophic mushrooms and wild plants generally demonstrated a decreasing trend (22 of 24). The model considering the sub-village location information decreased the error of individual samples by 40% compared to the model not considering any location information, indicating that the detailed geo-information improved estimation accuracy. Our results indicate that the radioactivity data from samples collected by local residents can be used to accurately assess internal exposure to radiation due to self-consumption of contaminated wild mushrooms and plants.

Phenolic compound and antioxidant activity of two slightly consumed wild mushrooms (Lentinus squarrosulus and Auricularia politrich) in three regions from center Ivory Coast

Mushrooms contain a variety of secondary metabolites, including various phenolic compounds, which have been shown to act as excellent antioxidants. In this study, the contents of total phenolic, flavonoids and tannins of mushrooms methanolic extracts were evaluated by colorimetric assays to ranges of 277.36±0.66 to 420.86±0.90 mg (GAE)/100g DW; 31.99±0.90 to 90.90±0.07mg (QE)/100g DW and 150.61±0.16 to 220.47±1.01mg (TAE)/100g DW respectively. HPLC-profiles of methanolic extracts indicated that the individual phenolic compounds found to the samples of the species of mushrooms that are Lentinus squarrosulus and Auricularia politrich revealed us that gallic acid, catechin, acid ρ-hydroxybenzoїc, acid ellagique and naringerin were presented to the level of the two species. With respect to organic acids, the results showed that citric acid and fumaric acid was the major organic acid in all the samples of both mushrooms species. The methanolic extracts of the two mushrooms exhibited the high DPPH radical scavenging activities ranging from 34.10±1.12 to 58.95±0.52%. These data indicated that these mushrooms could constitute a potential good source of natural antioxidant for the local population.

Ethnomycological research in the field of wild mushrooms and medicinal plants

During the recent years, there is an increased interest in the problems of wild mushrooms and medicinal plants in all over the world. An intensive research is currently performed in order to further clarify the peculiarities of numerous edible, toxic and cultivated wild mushrooms and medicinal plants. Both traditional and contemporary knowledge of the population is assessed by means of a variety of ethnomycological and ethnobotanical methods. The manners of usage by the population of wild edible mushroom and medicinal plants are intensively studied in many countries, too. In the present review article, the results from some recent investigations by Bulgarian and foreign authors devoted to the knowledge and use of some popular wild mushrooms and medicinal plants are summarized. The necessity for the intensification of the collaborative ethnomycological and ethnobotanical research in Europe is outlined.

Habitat characteristics and utilization of edible wild mushrooms by local communities in the protected forest in Pinrang Regency, Indonesia

This study aims to determine the habitat characteristics and utilization of edible wild mushrooms by local communities in protected forest areas in Pinrang Regency, Indonesia. The study was conducted using observation, survey, interview, and questionnaire methods. The characteristics of the wild mushroom habitat are climate type B, with average rainfall is 2,780.2 mm/year, a temperature of 24-32°C, and relative humidity of 59-82%. In general, a wild mushroom grows on dead wood, especially candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) and mango (Mangifera indica), soil, and litter. There were 18 types of wild mushrooms found in the protected forest areas in Pinrang Regency, namely Termitomyces clypeate, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Tyromyces chioneus, Trametes hirsute, Schizophyllum commune, Lepiota clypeolaria, Lepiota brunneoincarnata, Auricularia auricular, Psavinea, squarrosulus, Leucocoprinus sp., Coprinellus micaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Oudemansiella mucida. There were 5 types which include edible wild mushrooms that can be consumed by the community as a source of food and medicine, namely Termitomyces clypeatus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune, Auricularia auricular, and Pluteus cervinus, and 13 species include non-edible wild mushrooms and some of them are known as poisonous mushrooms.

Distribution of edible, toxic and medicinal wild mushrooms in Europe and Bulgaria

The scientific interest in wild mushrooms continuously increases worldwide. In the present review article, the results from some recent investigations by Bulgarian and foreign authors devoted to the current distribution of some edible, toxic and medicinal wild mushroom species in Bulgaria and some European countries are summarized. Some newly-recognized mushrooms are indicated. The examinations of wild mushroom safety under the conditions of environmental contamination deserve special attention, too. The scientists from European countries and Bulgaria have essential contributions to the field of the mushroom identification and distribution.

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of wild mushrooms growing in tropical regions

Herawati E, Ramadhan R, Ariyani F, Marjenah, Kusuma IW, Suwinarti W, Mardji D, Amirta R, Arung ET. 2021. Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of wild mushrooms growing in tropical regions. Biodiversitas 22: 4716-4721. This study aims to determine the presence of secondary metabolites which generally have bioactivity that is antioxidant with phytochemical tests and antioxidant tests in Auricularia auricula, Schyzophyllum commune, Microporus xanthopus, and Trametes versicolor fungi that grow in the wild. Phytochemical analysis was carried out by testing color changes and modifications, while antioxidant tests were carried out by using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer and a DPPH solution (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). This research found that edible wood fungus that grows, wild such as A. auricula, contains secondary metabolites, namely flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, and tannins, but does not contain steroids, alkaloids, carotenoids, or coumarin, while S. commune contains secondary metabolites, namely flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and coumarin, but does not contain triterpenoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, or saponins and non-edible wood fungus, such as M. xanthopus, contains secondary metabolites, namely, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, coumarin, and steroids, but does not contain triterpenoids, alkaloids, or carotenoids, while T. versicolor contains compounds, secondary metabolites, flavonoids, saponin, tannins, coumarin, and triterpenoids, but does not contain steroids, alkaloids, or carotenoids. The antioxidant test results are based on IC50 calculations; it is known that the IC50 value of A. auricula is 499.25 g/mL, while S. commune is 121.37 g/mL, M. xanthopus is 251.20 g/mL, and T. versicolor is 493.04 g/mL. Based on the research results, edible and inedible wood mushroom extracts contain several phytochemicals and show potential for antioxidant activity.