BACKGROUND:Nowadays, medicines derived from natural sources have drawn much attention as potential therapeutic agents in the suppression and treatment of cancer because of their low toxicity and fewer side effects.OBJECTIVE:The present review aims to assess the currently available knowledge on the ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of bioactive compounds obtained from medicinal mushrooms towards cancer treatment.METHODS:A literature search has been conducted for the collection of research papers from universally accepted scientific databases. These research papers and published book chapters were scrutinized to retrieve information on ethnomedicinal uses of mushrooms, different factors involved in cancer cell proliferation, clinical and in silico pharmaceutical studies made for possible treatments of cancer using mushroom derived compounds. Overall, 241 articles were retrieved and reviewed from the year 1970 to 2020, out of which 98 relevant articles were finally considered for the preparation of this review.RESULTS:This review presents an update on the natural bioactive substances derived from medicinal mushrooms and their role in inhibiting the factors responsible for cancer cell proliferation. Along with it, the present review also provides information on the ethnomedicinal uses, solvents used for extraction of anti-cancer metabolites, clinical trials, and in silico studies that were undertaken towards anticancer drug development from medicinal mushrooms.CONCLUSION:The present review provides extensive knowledge on various anti-cancer substances obtained from medicinal mushrooms, their biological actions, and in silico drug designing approaches, which could form a basis for the development of natural anti-cancer therapeutics.

Nanotechnology has been considered a cutting-edge research platform that explores the nanoparticles (NPs)/materials of prevailing applications in different fields like optics, electronics, catalysis, energy science, agriculture, environmental science, and medicine. NPs are used as metal chips, electronic devices, semiconductor units, and different sophisticated biomedical applications. The routine use of toxic chemicals and non-polar solvents during the synthesis of NPs limits their applications in the clinical and pharmaceutical fields. Fungal species are actively involved in the synthesis of gold NPs. Intracellular and extracellular metabolites of fungi are also highly concerned to produce silver NPs. The synthesis of NPs using any biological entities is known as biological synthesis or a green synthesis method. The secondary metabolites as well as enzymes from the fungal cells play crucial roles in converting toxic matter into non-toxic matter, by virtue of which mycogenic NPs are safe and reliable for diverse applications.

The present study demonstrates an economical and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the wild mushroom Ganoderma sessiliforme. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed and the products characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis was performed to identify the viable biomolecules involved in the capping and active stabilization of AgNPs. Moreover, the average sizes and morphologies of AgNPs were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The potential impacts of AgNPs on food safety and control were evaluated by the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized AgNPs against common food-borne bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecalis, Listeria innocua and Micrococcus luteus. The results of this study revealed that the synthesized AgNPs can be used to control the growth of food-borne pathogens and have potential application in the food packaging industry. Moreover, the AgNPs were evaluated for antioxidant activity (DPPH), for biocompatibility (L-929, normal fibroblast cells), and for cytotoxic effects on human breast adenosarcoma cells (MCF-7 & MDA-MB231) to highlight their potential for use in a variety of bio-applications.

Medicinal mushrooms viz. Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma lipsiense, Ganoderma chalceum and Ganoderma tsugae are important forest products of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical constituents, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of these mushrooms. The chemical constituents were determined in terms of macronutrients, micronutrients and phenolic contents. The macronutrient content of these mushrooms revealed high amounts of protein (17.10–20.50/100 g), carbohydrate (41.80–59.16/100 g) and low fats (1.2–3.0/100 g) and possessed good quantities micronutrients (vitamins, carotenoids). Mushrooms showed strong antioxidant properties due to the presence of high phenol (27.40–220.41 mg catechol/g extract) and flavonoid (3.42–171.44 mg quercetin/g extract) content. All these mushrooms possess moderate antibacterial properties with zone of inhibition ranging from 11.76 to 18.83 mm against five human pathogenic bacteria. Based on their rich bioactive compounds (vitamins and phenolics), antioxidant and antibacterial activity, they might be exploited by pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Two Ganoderma mushrooms (Ganoderma sp.M1 & Ganoderma sp.M3) were collected from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India. Ethnomedicinally these mushrooms are known to have medicinal value used in curing asthma and having wound healing capability. The objective of present study is to evaluate the morphological and molecular characteristics of two Ganoderma mushrooms with a view to identify them. Based on their morphological characteristics, the studied mushrooms were identified as member of genus Ganoderma. Further confirmation of identity of these mushrooms was made by molecular study based on LSU rDNA sequences and RNA secondary structure prediction. The results obtained from molecular phylogenetic tree revealed that the newly collected Ganoderma sp.M1 shown 82 % homology with Ganoderma applanatum, hence may be identified as Ganoderma applanatum. But the other isolated strain of Ganoderma sp.M3 shown less similarity with same species of Ganoderma, hence no species is assigned to them. The results of 28S rRNA sequence analysis shown a weak similarity between both the new strains (Ganoderma sp.M1 & Ganoderma sp.M3) which is also reflected at their secondary structural folding patterns observed from their minimum free energy based predicted secondary structures.

Aspergillus terreus NCFT 4269.10 was evaluated by liquid static surface fermentation (LSSF), shaking fermentation (ShF) and solid state fermentation (SSF) for the production of pectinase. Among various substrates tested, banana peels supported maximum production of pectinase i.e. 1000 ± 141.42 U/ml. The biomass of A. terreus was maximum with wheat bran (0.55±0.07g/50ml). Pectinase produced by A. terreus displayed higher specific activity when wheat bran was used as the sole source of carbon and energy. After successful fermentation, crude enzyme was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity with a specific activity of 1846.50 U/mg from an initial specific activity of 1282.05 U/mg. The cell free-dialyzed-enzyme containing 107100 U was purified to 1.44 fold with an overall enzyme yield of 35.70%.Immobilization study revealed that the production of pectinase was increased up to third cycle and decreased thereafter when further pectinase production was carried out by immobilized spores of A. terreus.

In the present study, green synthesis and cost effective approach of silver nanoparticles using wild medicinal mushroom Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India is reported. The biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised using UV-visible spectroscopy, particle analyser and scanning electron microscopy studies. It was found by dynamic light scattering analysis, that the average size and charges of the AgNPs were 133.0 ± 0.361 nm and -6.01 ± 5.30 mV, respectively. Moreover, the Fourier transform infrared study was also conducted to identify the biomolecules or functional groups responsible for the reduction of Ag and stabilisation of the AgNPs. The potential biomedical application with reference to antimicrobial activity of the synthesised AgNPs was investigated against some pathogenic microorganisms viz. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri.

Seasonal tropical fruits like Jackfruit (AH, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), Sapeta (Manilkara zapota L.), Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.) which are predominantly available in India, has a number of phyto-constituents. In this present study, phyto-constituents of above mentioned fruits were preserved through fermentation and evaluated for their biochemical and antioxidant properties after fermentation process. The result showed potential 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity of the fermented fruits juices that increases with increased concentration. Among them, Cashew showed highest DPPH activity compare to other fermented fruits but ABTS and H2O2 activity have more or less similar result for all samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced ten original analytical and proximate variables (pH, protein, RS, TS, alcohol, ASA, BC, LY, phenol and TAC) to three independent components, which accounted for 88.17% variations (PC1, 46.76%; PC2, 27.13%; PC3, 14.28%).

The Seven Sister states of northeast India are characterized by diverse population with different ethnic backgrounds. Indigenous and fermented foods are an intrinsic part of diet of these ethnic tribes. It is the oldest and most economical methods for development of a diversity of aromas, flavors, and textures as well as for food preservation and biological enrichment by manipulation of different microbial populations. Wild fruits and vegetables have more nutritional value than cultivated fruits and contribute to sustainable food production and security. Fermented products are region-specific and have their own unique substrates and preparation methods. Soybeans, bamboo shoots, and locally available vegetables are commonly fermented by most tribes. Fermented alcoholic beverages prepared in this region are unique and bear deep attachment with socio-cultural lives of local people. These products serve as a source of income to many rural people, who prepare them at home and market them locally. Detailed studies on nutritive and medicinal value of these products can provide valuable information and would prove beneficial in guiding the use of these products on a wider scale. Furthermore, the ethnobotanical field exploration, conservation of indigenous knowledge, and proper documentation of wild edible bio-resources are suggested for sustaining the livelihood of local communities.

Mushrooms seem to be a potential source for prebiotics as they contain different polysaccharides such as chitin, hemicellulose, α- and β-glucans, mannans, xylans and galactans. Among mushroom polysaccharides, β-(1→3)-D-glucans, and their peptide/protein derivates (polysaccharide-peptide/protein complexes), proteoglycans are essential prebiotics and found to play vital role in immunomodulating and antitumor activities. These prebiotic compounds display immunomodulating and antitumor activity similar to those effected by immune effector cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, hematopoietic stem cells, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells that play essential roles in innate and adaptive immunity, resulting in production of biologic response modifiers. Several glucans and heteroglycans were found with their significant immunoenhancing properties which could stimulate the macrophages, splenocytes and thymocytes. Thus this review aims to summarize and explore the potential of mushroom polysaccharides as prebiotics with their antitumor and immunomodulating properties for the development of nutraceutical foods and drugs.

The present study was conducted to isolate phosphate solubilising bacteria from mangrove soils of Mahanadi river delta, Odisha, India and evaluate their phosphate solubilising ability. In total forty-eight phosphate solubilising bacteria were isolated from different soil samples. Based on their size of halo zone formation on NBRIP agar medium and decrease in intensity of colour of the broth medium fourteen isolates were selected as efficient phosphate solubilising strains. Their efficiency on NBRIP agar medium were ranged from 108-175. Their ability to decrease the intensity of bluecolour of the NBRIP-BPB broth medium was ranged from 0.87 and 1.188 (O.D at 600nm). Phosphate solubilising ability test of these fourteen isolates showed that they can solubilise tricalciumphosphate from 8.21 to 48.70μg/ml and most of the isolates could acidified the medium supernatant below 4.0 from the initial pH 7.0. Morphological and biochemical characterisation of the isolates allowed us to identify them as members of the following genera: Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Alcaligens, Klebsiella, Serratia, Azotobacters and Micrococcus. All the fourteen PSB isolated from mangrove soil of Mahanadi river delta could efficiently solubilise tricalcium phosphate in the medium which could probably help for future application in biotechnology.

Mushrooms seem to be a potential source for prebiotics as they contain different polysaccharides such as chitin, hemicellulose, α- and β-glucans, mannans, xylans and galactans. Among mushroom polysaccharides, β-(1→3)-D-glucans, and their peptide/protein derivates (polysaccharide-peptide/protein complexes), proteoglycans are essential prebiotics and found to play vital role in immunomodulating and antitumor activities. These prebiotic compounds display immunomodulating and antitumor activity similar to those effected by immune effector cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, hematopoietic stem cells, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells that play essential roles in innate and adaptive immunity, resulting in production of biologic response modifiers. Several glucans and heteroglycans were found with their significant immunoenhancing properties which could stimulate the macrophages, splenocytes and thymocytes. Thus this review aims to summarize and explore the potential of mushroom polysaccharides as prebiotics with their antitumor and immunomodulating properties for the development of nutraceutical foods and drugs.

A variety of edible mushrooms are growing in Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), some of which are used as ethno-medicine by indigenous tribals. In the present study, three wild edible mushrooms viz., Russula vesca, Russula delica and Termitomyces eurrhizus of SBR were analyzed for their nutritional and mineral contents along with antioxidant and antibacterial potential. The results showed that these three mushrooms are rich sources of nutrients (protein, carbohydrate, starch, reducing sugars and low fats), micronutrients (vitamins and carotenoids) and minerals (P, K, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, Fe) with promising bioactive properties (antioxidant and antibacterial potentials). In general, these mushrooms revealed high amounts of proteins (22.82–35.17 g/100 g) and carbohydrates (45.68–63.27 g/100 g) and low contents in fats (2.03–4.62 g/100 g), while micronutrients (vitamins and carotenoids) and minerals were present in significant amounts. The antioxidant potentials of three different solvent extracts (ethanol, methanol and aqueous) of studied wild mushrooms showed strong antioxidant properties (ABTS, DPPH, H2O2 and metal chelating activities) with scavenging potential up to 89 % at concentration 100 μg/ml. Total phenol content was found between 21.92–41.99 mg catechol/g extract and flavonoid 2.53–7.52 mg quercetin/g extract. The studied mushrooms possess moderate antibacterial properties with zones of inhibition ranging from 13 to 30 mm against six human pathogenic bacteria which are comparable with Amphoxyllin standard. Being a source of nutrients and molecules with medicinal potential, the studied mushrooms can be used in human diet as nutraceuticals/functional foods for maintaining and promoting health, longevity and life quality.

Mushrooms are the higher fungi which have long been used for food and medicinal purposes. They have rich nutritional value with high protein content (up to 44.93%), vitamins, minerals, fibers, trace elements and low calories and lack cholesterol. There are 14,000 known species of mushrooms of which 2,000 are safe for human consumption and about 650 of these possess medicinal properties. Among the total known mushrooms, approximately 850 species are recorded from India. Many of them have been used in food and folk medicine for thousands of years. Mushrooms are also sources of bioactive substances including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, antitumour, anti-HIV and antidiabetic activities. Nutriceuticals and medicinal mushrooms have been used in human health development in India as food, medicine, minerals among others. The present review aims to update the current status of mushrooms diversity in India with their nutritional and medicinal potential as well as ethnomedicinal uses for different future prospects in pharmaceutical application. Key words: Mushroom diversity, nutritional value, therapeutic potential, bioactive compound.

Phosphorus (P) is one of the major essential macronutrients for biological growth and development of plants. Phosphorous in soil is mainly found as mineral phosphorous or organic phosphorous which is however insoluble and unavailable to the plants. Microorganisms, both bacteria and fungi play a central role in the natural phosphorus cycle and convert insoluble forms of phosphorus to an accessible form which is an important trait for the growth and survival of plants. Among the phosphate solubilizing microbes, strains from the bacterial genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Rhizobium and fungi such as Pencillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Helminthosparium, Alternaria, etc. are the most powerful phosphate solubilizers. Phosphorous solubilization by microorganisms is a complex phenomenon, which depends on many factors such as nutritional, physiological and growth condition of the culture. The principal mechanism for mineral phosphate solubilization is the production of organic acids where the enzyme phosphatases play a major role in the mineralization of organic phosphorous in soil. In recent years several phosphatases encoding genes have been cloned and characterized and a few genes involved in mineral phosphate solubilization have been isolated. Therefore, genetic manipulation for improvement of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria to improve plant growth may include cloning genes involved in both mineral and organic phosphate solubilization, followed by their expression in selected rhizobacterial strains is an interesting approach. Besides phosphate solubilizing activity of microorganisms, the present paper also reports biotechnological potentials of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms from mangrove environment which is a unique saline costal ecosystem of tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

The nutritional and medicinal potential (antioxidant and antibacterial activities) of 2 wild edible mushroom species ( Lentinus sajor-caju and Lentinus torulosus ) of Similipal Biosphere Reserve were determined. The macronutrient profile of these mushrooms in general revealed high source of protein (27.31–28.36 g/100 g), carbohydrate (64.95–68.24 g/100 g), and low amounts of fat (1.36–2.42 g/100 g) and possessed good quantities of micronutrients (vitamins and carotenoids) and minerals (P, K, Mn, Ni, and Fe). The solvent extracts (ethanol, methanol, and water) of the mushrooms exhibited strong antioxidant properties (ABTS, DPPH, H 2 O 2 , and metal chelating activities) with scavenging activity upto 70.54% along with phenol, flavonoid, and total antioxidant capacity. Both the mushrooms showed moderate antibacterial activity (11.0–18.33 mm inhibition zones) against Streptococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae . Being a rich source of nutritional and medicinal potential, these 2 studied mushrooms can be used in human diet as nutraceuticals and functional foods.