Cantharellus cibarius, sometimes known as the "boreal chanterelle", is a member of the phylum Basidiomycota and one of the most sought edible mushrooms in the world. This study compared the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), which is regarded as a mild and green extraction method, with traditional solvent extraction to obtain C. cibarius oils. The optimized parameters of the SFE were obtained through a Box-Behnken design, and the SFE approach provided oil yields that exceeded conventional extraction yields with ethyl acetate (10.1% w/w vs 8.1% w/w) while exhibiting better selectivity for the accumulation of lipophilic bioactives. Most importantly, the supercritically extracted oil showed significant radical scavenging activities (65% inhibition against ABTS, compared to 58% in the conventionally ethyl acetate-extracted oil), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as bactericidal effects against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi. The C. cibarius oils extracted through a green technology could be a potential application as condiments with retained bioactive properties.

The growing demand for truffles has led to a global pursuit for their occurrence in the wild, and studies concerning their cultivation. Although European countries such as Italy, France and Spain have been known for truffle production, truffle hunting is new to Finland. The present study reports for the first time, the findings of Tuber maculatum in Finland on the basis of morphological and molecular analysis. The chemical characteristics of soil samples collected from the truffle sites have also been discussed. The species of the Tuber samples were identified primarily using morphological analysis. Molecular analysis was carried out for the confirmation of the identity of the species. Two phylogenetic trees were constructed based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences produced in this study and including representative sequences of whitish truffles available in GenBank. The truffles were identified as T. maculatum and T. anniae. This study could be considered as a basis for encouraging research on findings and identification of truffles in Finland.

Abstract Angiogenesis is a complex physiological process that cannot be treated with single agent therapy. Several edible fungi have been known to encompass bioactive compounds, and are promising sources of multi-component drugs. One such widely consumed edible fungi is Cantharellus cibarius, which has been explored for its biological activities. The present study focused on assessing the anti-angiogenic activity of petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of C. cibarius using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Both the extracts showed a dose-dependent response which was compared with the anti-angiogenic activity of the positive controls silibinin, and lenalidomide. The extracts were also studied for their lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory potential and compared to ascorbic acid as the positive control. The IC50 values of the petroleum ether extract, ethanol extract, and ascorbic acid for LOX inhibition assay were 135.4, 113.1, and 41.5 µg/mL, respectively. Although both the extracts showed similar responses in CAM assay, ethanol extract proved to be more potent in LOX inhibition assay. Finally, the extracts were investigated for their chemical composition using GC-MS. A correlation between LOX inhibition and anti-angiogenic potential was established at the molecular level. A meticulous literature search was carried out to correlate the biochemical composition of the extracts to their anti-angiogenic activity.

Cantharellus cibarius is a wild edible mushrooms and considered as a plethora of compounds with potential biotechnological applications. This study highlighted the utilization of C. cibarius mushroom in the production of extracellular lipase under submerged fermentation, representing the first report on lipase production by this mushroom. Various physicochemical factors were optimized via one-factor-at-a time (OFAT) method. Maximum enzyme production was recorded when the mushroom mycelium was grown at 30 °C on pH 6.0 for 96 h in the medium supplemented with 1

Submerged fermentation of Tuber borchii and T. maculatum was performed to produce mycelia towards evaluating their bioactive potential and probable toxicity. Truffle mycelia had been mostly explored for biopolymers previously. Methanolic extraction yield, polyphenol content, and flavonoid content varied with species and period of fermentation. In vitro DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and ORAC radical scavenging activity of mycelial extracts of T. maculatum and T. borchii at 7 and 10 days of bioreactor fermentation corroborated with phenolics content. Absence of toxicity and antimutagenicity in lag and log phases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7 cells supported possibly safe nutraceutical use of mycelia of both truffles. Mineral content showed variation with species and fermentation time for macro- (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium, and manganese) and trace elements (zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, and nickel). Mineral bioaccumulation can be explored for food-fortification applications. The demonstrated activities and detected constituents show potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and nutraceuticals.

The golden chanterelle represents one of the commonly found, edible mushrooms that is highly valued in various cuisines. The present study focused on assessing the requirements of Cantharellus cibarius such as pH, temperature, as well as the carbon and nitrogen sources for mycelial growth. Optimization of the growth parameters was carried out by one-factor-at-a-time method. The optimal pH and temperature were determined to be 6.0 and 22.5 °C, respectively. Among the various carbon sources studied, sucrose at a concentration of 2% gave maximum mycelial growth and proved to be the most suitable one. Amongst the nitrogen sources studied, peptone, ammonium sulphate, and sodium nitrate, gave the maximum mycelial growth at an optimized concentration of 0.5%. In the presence of beef extract and yeast extract, a change in colony pigmentation from yellow to dark grey was observed. Finally, the carbon to nitrogen ratio of 2:0.5 proved to be optimal for mycelial growth. This study is the first report on the optimisation of in vitro growth requirements of C. cibarius.

Tuber melanosporum Vittad. (Black or Périgord truffle) is a truffle native to the Mediterranean Southern Europe, popular for its unique flavor, and has great economic importance. The present work focused on assessing the possibility of cultivating T. melanosporum associated with Quercus robur L. in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia. The plantation was initiated in November 2018 by planting 271 oak seedlings in the Al-Qassim desert area and checked for survival and ectomycorrhiza development after 1.5 years of plantation maintenance. Amongst the 271 seedlings planted, 243 plants survived two harsh seasons (2019 and 2020), and the randomly selected and tested seedlings were still mycorrhized with T. melanosporum. The mycorrhization level with T. melanosporum was between 5 and 35% of all fine roots, and the share of contaminant ectomycorrhiza was low. In comparison to other areas where T. melanosporum is successfully cultivated, the Al-Qassim desert area has 10–15 °C higher average summer temperatures and a low total annual precipitation, which necessitates regular irrigation of the plantation. This work opens the avenue for an adapted, yet sustainable cultivation of T. melanosporum-inoculated oak tree in a desert climatic condition and introduces new opportunities of the agro-forest business in Saudi Arabia and GCC region.

BACKGROUND:Chitin is one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth, only trailing second after cellulose. The enzyme chitinase is responsible for the degradation of chitin. Chitinases are found to be produced by wide range of organisms ranging from archaea to higher plants. Though chitin is a major component of fungal cell walls and invertebrate exoskeletons, bacterial chitinase can be industrially generated at low cost, in facile downstream processes at high production rate. Microbial chitinases are more stable, active, and economically practicable compared to the plant- and animal-derived enzymes.RESULTS:In the present study, computationally obtained results showed functional characteristics of chitinase with particular emphasis on bacterial chitinase which is fulfilling all the required qualities needed for commercial production. Sixty-two chitinase sequences from four different groups of organisms were collected from the RCSB Protein Data Bank. Considering one suitable exemplary sequence from each group is being compared with others. Primary, secondary, and tertiary structures are determined by in silico models. Different physical parameters, viz., pI, molecular weight, instability index, aliphatic index, GRAVY, and presence of functional motifs, are determined, and a phylogenetic tree has been constructed to elucidate relationships with other groups of organisms.CONCLUSIONS:This study provides novel insights into distribution of chitinase among four groups and their characterization. The results represent valuable information toward bacterial chitinase in terms of the catalytic properties and structural features, can be exploited to produce a range of chitin-derived products.

Summer truffles (Tuber aestivum) collected from Italy were evaluated for changes in chemical composition and hence in vitro bioactivity on the basis of their maturity. Truffles were classified as immature and mature based on the colour of glebum. Water and methanol extracts of freeze-dried mature truffles demonstrated higher total phenolics, in vitro antioxidant activity, and lower tannins than immature truffle extracts. Phenolics and flavonoids were detected by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC–MS) analysis. Gas chromatography (GC)–MS analysis of hexane extracts showed differences in fatty acid composition. Linoleic acid content was highest in both samples, and lauric and myristic acids were prominently detected in hexane extracts of mature truffles. The aroma profiling of truffles by headspace—GC showed an increase in alcohols and decrease in aldehydes. Thus this study comprehends altered chemical composition and its manifestation in in vitro bioactivity on maturation of summer truffles. This would aid in development of techniques for identification of maturity of truffles.

The gas chromatography of hexane extracts from ascocarps of Tuber maculatum (mostly the first report) , T. aestivum/unicantum , T. borchii , T. melanosporum and Tirmania nivea dominantly showed palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids followed by traces of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acid content varied from ca. 8–61 mg g − 1 , dry-weight-basis with species with highest for T. maculatum . Polyunsaturated fatty acids contributions varied from ca. 42–59%. The dominant fatty acid varied with the species. A comparison with existing reports on same species cultivated in different regions showed differences in contributions by saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as dominant fatty acids detected. Lesser explored species such as T. borchii , T. maculatum call for further research. This is a preliminary study that indicates fatty acid composition as a potential tool for distinction like aroma between truffle species and geographies of cultivation. This forms the basis for further studies in different species and regions.

Fungi are a huge source of unexplored bioactive compounds. Owing to their biological activities, several fungi have shown commercial application in the health industry. Tuber aestivum Vittad. is one such edible fungi with an immense scope for practical biological applications. In the present study, the anti-angiogenic activity of petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of T. aestivum was investigated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay and compared to the positive controls silibinin and lenalidomide. Both the extracts showed a dose-dependent anti-angiogenic response. The extracts were also assessed for their anti-inflammatory potential by lipoxygenase-inhibition assay. The IC50 values for LOX inhibition assay, computed by the Boltzmann plot, were 368.5, 147.3 and 40.2 mu g/mL, for the petroleum ether extract, ethanol extract, and the positive control ascorbic acid, respectively. The ethanol extract of T. aestivum showed superior anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activity than the petroleum ether extract. Compositional investigation of the extracts by GC-MS revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds. The compounds were correlated to their anti-angiogenic and antiinflammatory activity based on a meticulous literature search.

The baking performance of fresh, non-fermented, pre-fermented and pre-rested doughs were investigated using different types of flours. Effect of protein content in wheat flour and effect of oat and barley supplementation on wheat dough and baked bread was evaluated. Effect of mixing speed, yeast concentration and two different proofing methods were also studied. Wheat flour with higher protein content gave a higher volume and specific volume. The substitution of wheat flour with increasing concentrations of oat and barley flour progressively decreased loaf and specific volume significantly. Prolonging the proofing time after thawing resulted in a good bread quality whereas high mixing speed did not affect the bread quality. The operating conditions for the proofing step were at 35 °C temperature and 80% relative humidity for 30 min. Higher concentration of baking yeast results in low quality crust in baked bread. Yeast concentration of 1.3% showed the best option for bread preparation, at which the bread moisture content was the highest. The results also showed that wheat flour with 13.3% protein content yielded higher volume than bread made from 10% protein content. The dough was stored at − 20 °C and the baking conditions were at 215 °C temperature for 25 min. Sensory studies did not yield significant variation in different bread preparations. The pre-rested frozen dough, gave the best baked bread compared to the pre-fermented and non-fermented breads.

Tuber aestivum is one of the most popular and delicious truffles in the world economic market and is reported to possess a wide range of biological activities. The total carbohydrate of this truffle constitutes about 5.65% w/w dry weight basis (dwb). The present work compares the yield of the polysaccharide obtained by conventional hot water extraction followed by alcohol precipitation, and ultrasound assisted extraction using low power 150 W probe sonifier. The parameters of ultrasound assisted extraction (amplitude, extraction time, pH, and liquid-solid ratio) from the fruiting body of T. aestivum were optimized using Taguchi orthogonal array and central composite design. The optimal parameters of extraction were a liquid-solid ratio of 75:1 for 15 min at pH 6.5 at an amplitude of 25%, which yielded 68.91 ± 1.54% w/w dwb polysaccharide. The FTIR and SEM characteristics of the polysaccharides obtained by ultrasonic extraction and conventional hot water extraction were similar. Further, the polysaccharides extracted from T. aestivum demonstrated a significant in vitro anti-hyperglycemic activity.

Truffles are symbiotic hypogeous edible fungi (form of mushroom) that form filamentous mycelia in their initial phase of the growth cycle as well as a symbiotic association with host plant roots. In the present study, Tuber maculatum mycelia were isolated and tested for extracellular amylase production at different pH on solid agar medium. Furthermore, the mycelium was subjected to submerged fermentation for amylase production under different culture conditions such as variable carbon sources and their concentrations, initial medium pH, and incubation time. The optimized conditions after the experiments included soluble starch (0.5% w/v), initial medium pH of 7.0, and incubation time of 7days, at room temperature (22 +/- 2 degrees C) under static conditions which resulted in 1.41U/mL of amylase. The amylase thus obtained was further characterized for its biocatalytic properties and found to have an optimum activity at pH 5.0 and a temperature of 50 degrees C. The enzyme showed good thermostability at 50 degrees C by retaining 98% of the maximal activity after 100min of incubation. The amylase activity was marginally enhanced in presence of Cu2+ and Na+ and slightly reduced by K+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Co2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ ions at 1mM concentration.

Desert truffles have traditionally been used as food in Libya. Desert truffle grows and gives fruit sporadically when adequate and properly distributed rainfall occurs with existence of suitable soil and mycorrhizal host plant. The present study aimed to identify and characterize two kinds of wild desert truffles from ecological and nutritional points that were collected from the studied area. The truffle samples were identified as Terfezia (known as red or black truffle) and Tirmania (known as white truffle). The nutritional values (protein, lipid and carbohydrate) of both Libyan wild truffle (Terfezia and Tirmania) were determined on a dry weight basis and result showed that Tirmania and Terfezia contained 16.3 and 18.5% protein, 6.2 and 5.9% lipid, 67.2 and 65% carbohydrate, respectively, in ascocarp biomass. The soil pH of the upper and lower regions of the Hamada Al-Hamra ranged between 8.2 and 8.5 giving suitable conditions for fructification. The plants, Helianthemum kahiricum and Helianthemum lippii were the dominant plants in Hamada Al-Hamra region found to form a mycorrhiza with desert truffles. The phylogenetic analysis of the genomic rDNA ITS region showed that, out of five collections three represented Tirmania pinoyi (Maire) Malencon, one Tirmania nivea (Desf.) Trappe, and one Terfezia boudieri Chatin.

Tuber aestivum is one of the important edible mycorrhizal truffle having unique flavor and texture. It is known to contain approximately 5.23% of polysaccharide. The present work was focused on extraction and characterization of the polysaccharide from fruiting body of T. aestivum. The polysaccharide was extracted using complex enzymes viz. papain, trypsin and pectinase. Taguchi orthogonal array experimental design and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the factors involved in the extraction process. The optimal factors for the extraction of polysaccharide from T. aestivum were 1.0% trypsin, 2.0% pectinase, 1.0% papain, temperature 50°C, pH 6.0 and extraction time 90min. Under these optimum conditions the polysaccharide extraction yield was found to be 46.93% of total polysaccharide. Polysaccharide so obtained was characterized for its structure, chemical composition, thermal analysis and bioactivity. The monosaccharides present in the extracted polysaccharides were glucose (>90%), rhamnose, galactose and mannose. The polysaccharide extracted from T. aestivum possessed the significant in vitro antioxidant capability.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main crops, which is easily susceptable to Aspergillus flavus infection resulting in huge losses worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of combining heat and irradiation treatments in controlling the fungal growth in maize grains. Surface disinfected maize grains were artificially contaminated with spores of Aspergillus flavus Link NRRL 5906, and then exposed to gamma radiation with doses of 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 kGy. The samples were additionally heat treated at 60 degrees C for 30 min. The heat and irradiation treatments showed a synergistic effect on controlling Aspergillus flavus growth. The heat treatment reduced the required radiation dose of about 0.5-1.0 kGy when 4.0 kGy or 5.0 kGy irradiation was used. The combined heat and irradiation treatment of moisture reduced the average CFU by 8 log cycles when 4 kGy or 5 kGy irradiation was used and by 7 log cycles when 3 kGy irradiation was used. The heat treatment of moisture alone reduced the average CFU by only by 0.8 log cycles. Combining irradiation with heat treatment to reduce the required radiation dose is very useful especially when there is a concern over biological side effects of irradiation. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effects of some environmental parameters such as, carbon source, temperature, pH, salinity and growth media on the mycelial growth of the Finish truffle Tuber maculatum were presented for the first time in this study. An experimental procedure was carried out to study these parameters effects and the results of this procedure were analyzed statistically. Four different growth media were used to investigate their effect on mycelial growth. Eight different sources of carbon were used in this study. Salinity effect on mycelial growth was obtained by using four different salt concentrations. Different temperatures as well as different pH values were used to see their effects on mycelial growth. The results of all of the above mentioned parameters effects on mycelial growth rate were presented graphically.