Anthocyanin extract from Lycium ruthenicum enhanced production of biomass and polysaccharides during submerged fermentation of Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc. Chaidam

Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc. Chaidam (ABSC) is a wild edible fungus uniquely found in the Tibet Plateau. ABSC is rich in polysaccharides that are considered biologically active. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of enhancing exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by ABSC in shake flask culture by supplementing the fermentation medium with anthocyanin extract. Different concentrations of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LRM) anthocyanin crude extract were tested on ABSC fermentation. The activity of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), phosphoglucose mutase (PGM), and phosphomannose isomerase (PMI), enzymes presumably involved in EPS synthesis by ABSC, was determined. ABSC transcriptomic profile in response to the presence of anthocyanins during fermentation was also investigated. LRM anthocyanin crude extract (0.06 mg/mL) was most effective in increasing EPS content and mycelial biomass (by 208.10% and 105.30%, respectively, P < 0.01). The activity of PGI, PGM, and PMI was increased in a medium where LRM anthocyanin extract and its main components (proanthocyanidins and petunia anthocyanin) were added. RNA-Seq analysis showed that 349 genes of ABSC were differentially expressed during fermentation in the medium containing anthocyanin extract of LRM; 93 genes were up-regulated and 256 genes down-regulated. From gene ontology enrichment analysis, differentially expressed genes were mostly assigned to carbohydrate metabolism and signal transduction categories. Collectively, LRM anthocyanins extract positively affected EPS production and mycelial biomass during ABSC fermentation. Our study provides a novel strategy for improving EPS production and mycelial growth during ABSC liquid submerged fermentation.

Diversity, Distribution and Morphology of Wild Mushrooms Collected from Gajni Forest of Bangladesh

A survey was carried out in Gajni forest from June to August of 2017 and 2018 to document the diversity, distribution and morphological characterization of wild mushrooms. A total of 32 mushroom samples were collected and identified to 28 species belonging to 11 genera, under 8 families. Ganoderma sp. was found abundantly in the survey area among the other collected species and it exhibited the maximum frequency of occurrence (75%), whereas the maximum density (20.50%) was recorded for Agaricus bitorquis and the dominant host was Shal tree (Shorea robusta). The dominant genera were Ganoderma, Agaricus, Trametes, Volvariella and Amanita. The dominant family of collected wild mushrooms was Ganodermataceae followed by Polyporaceae, Agaricaceae, Amanitaceae, Rusullaceae, Pluteaceae, Marasmiaceae and Strophariaceae. Among collected species, 5 species were found edible, 12 species had medicinal value and 11 species were inedible, poisonous or of unknown importance. The specimens were deposited to the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Herbarium of Macro Fungi (SHMF). This is a report of wild mushrooms diversity and their distribution in the Gajni forest region of Bangladesh. This study was asserted that a wide range of mushroom plays an important role in the ecosystem of Gajni forest and might be useful in food and industry sector in future.

An Inulin-Specific Lectin with Anti-HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase, Antiproliferative, and Mitogenic Activities from the Edible Mushroom Agaricus bitorquis

A novel lectin (ABL) was purified from the dried fruiting bodies of Agaricus bitorquis. An efficient 3-step purification protocol involved two consecutive steps of ion exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose and SP-Sepharose and gel filtration by FPLC on Superdex 75. ABL is a monomeric protein with the molecular mass of 27.6 kDa, which is different from other lectins from genus Agaricus. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence is EYTISIRVYQTNPKGFNRPV which is unique and sharing considerably high similarity of other mushroom lectins. The hemagglutinating activity of the lectin was inhibited by inulin. Based on hemagglutination tests, ABL prefers rabbit, human type A, and AB erythrocytes to human type B and O erythrocytes. The lectin inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and the proliferation of leukemia cell (L1210) with an IC50 value of 4.69 and 4.97 μM, respectively. Furthermore, ABL demonstrates the highest mitogenic activity with a response of 24177.7 ± 940.6 [3H-methyl] thymidine counts per minute (CPM) at a concentration of 0.91 μM.

Жуки-грибоеды (Coleoptera, Mycetophagidae) Алматинской области (Юго-Восточный Казахстан)

Дан обзор видов жуков-грибоедов (Coleoptera: Mycetophagidae) Алматинской области Казахстана, включающий данные по их распространению, морфологии, экологии. Всего выявлено 7 видов и 3 рода - Mycetophagus quadripustulatus, M. quadriguttatus, M. fulvicollis, M. multipunctatus, M. piceus, Litargus connexus и Typhaea stercorea. Приводятся данные по фауне грибоедов 3-х особо охраняемых природных территорий Алматинской области. В государственном национальном природном парке «Иле-Алатау» отмечены все обнаруженные в Алматинской области 3 рода и 7 видов грибоедов. Для государственного национального природного парка «Алтын-Эмель» указаны 3 рода и 5 видов: M. quadripustulatus, M. quadriguttatus, M. piceus, Litargus connexus и T. stercorea. В государственном национальном природном парке «Жонгар-Алатау» обнаружены 2 рода и 4 вида: M. quadripustulatus, M. quadriguttatus, M. multipunctatus и T. stercorea. В настоящее время ГНПП «Иле-Алатау» является наиболее богатым по видовому разнообразию жуков-грибоедов из трех особо охраняемых природных территорий, на которых проводились исследования. Сведения о некоторых видах грибов, на которых были отмечены жуки-грибоеды, приводятся впервые. M. quadriguttatus ранее не отмечался на Agaricus campestris, Russula betularum, Pleurotus dryinus, P. ostreatus, Сoprinellus domesticus, Lepista personata. M. quadripustulatus – не отмечался на грибах Bjerkandera fumosa, L. personata, Cortinarius purpurascens, P. dryinus и Agaricus bitorquis. M. piceus - на B. fumosa, C. purpurascens и P. dryinus. M. multipunctatus - на Trametes ochracea, L. personata, C. purpurascens, A. bitorquis, R. betularum, Lycoperdon pratense и P. dryinus. M. fulvicollis - на T. ochracea, Cerioporus squamosus, Scleroderma citrinum и P. ostreatus. Litargus connexus – на L. personata, C. purpurascens, T. ochracea и P. ostreatus. T. stercorea - на Antrodia serialis, C. purpurascens, T. ochracea, C. squamosus и Byssonectria terrestris.

Polysaccharides from the Edible Mushroom Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc. Chaidam Show Anti-hypoxia Activities in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Three kinds of new water-soluble polysaccharides (FA, FB and FC) were isolated from wild mushroom Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc. Chaidam by the classical method “water extraction and alcohol precipitation” and purified by column chromatography. The Mw of FA, FB and FC ranged from 5690 Da to 38,340 Da. The three polysaccharide fractions in the fruiting body were mainly composed of 4 kinds of monosaccharides, including glucose, galactose, mannose, and arabinose, among which glucose and galactose were the major monosaccharides. The FTIR and NMR spectroscopy indicated that the skeleton of three fractions composed of a (1→4)-α-D-glycosidic backbone containing α-D-mannopyranose. In vitro anti-hypoxia activity data showed that three polysaccharide fractions possessed a significant effect on inhibiting PASM cells apoptosis under hypoxia. Among them, FC at the concentration of 200 µg/mL revealed a significant anti-hypoxia effect. These results revealed that the intracellular polysaccharides possessed potent anti-hypoxic activity, which might be related to inhibiting LDH and NADPH oxidase expression and promoting the formation of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, endothelins, acetylcholine. More importantly, FC showed good performance inducing KV1.5 expression and prohibiting KIR6.2 formation at protein level.