http://mfuir.mfu.ac.th:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/130 Center of Excellence in Fungal Research 2026-06-04T23:44:43Z http://mfuir.mfu.ac.th:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/1692 Emerging Sources of Glycosaminoglycans: Can Fungi Be the New Alternative? Niego AGT; Rapior S; Morata M; Reyes-Salarda R; Ticar B Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharides that are widely studied for their medicinal properties, such as anticoagulant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as for their use in cosmetic products. Although GAGs have traditionally been sourced from animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and marine organisms, evidence suggests that certain fungi can also produce GAGs or GAG-like compounds, thereby expanding the potential resource base. Given the high market value of GAGs and their broad industrial applications, the limited supply from current sources is insufficient to meet global demand, particularly for non-animal, vegetarian, or vegan products. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, structural diversity, and health benefits of both animal- and fungal-derived GAGs. It also discusses their potential uses in medicine, nutraceuticals, and biotechnology, and outlines current market trends, future opportunities, and gaps in existing research. By highlighting the role of fungi as renewable and versatile GAG producers, this work offers a new perspective on sustainable alternatives to traditional animal-based production systems. บทความ (Article) 2026-04-27T00:00:00Z http://mfuir.mfu.ac.th:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/1691 Cultivation of Trametes versicolor on supplemented agro-forestry wastes: yield, antioxidant activity, and first report from Iran Jahedi A,; Jahed Markid M; Mohammadi R Trametes versicolor (turkey tail) is one of the wild medicinal mushrooms, and the most important of all medicinal mushrooms. To date, there are no reports of commercial cultivation of this species and this is the first report of successful cultivation in Iran..Trametes versicolor was collected from the Hyrcanian forest area in the north of Iran and identified by analyzing of the rpb2 and ITS sequences. Sawdust 90% and wheat bran 10% substrate formulation revealed the longest duration for spawn running, primordial initiation, total cultivation period, and days to the first harvest, recording values of 21.7 ± 1, 24.3 ± 1, 39.7 ± 2, and 29.7 ± 4 days, respectively. However, better yield performance and biological efficiency were recorded in the sawdust 70% + wheat bran 30% substrate formulation (S10; C/N ratio = 40), with values of 159 ± 4 g/kg and 45.5%, respectively. The substrate moisture content was maintained at 65%, while the relative humidity and temperature in the fruiting room were maintained at 80–90% and 24 ± 1 °C, respectively. Among fruiting bodies harvested from 13 various substrate formulations, the highest values of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were recorded in S10, with values of 78 mg GAE/g DW extract and 14.76 ± 2 mg QE/g DW extract, respectively. Subsequently, the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity (antioxidant activity) was recorded in the same medium, with an IC50 value of 24.28 µg/mL. These findings demonstrate the significant potential for using local agricultural waste for the cultivation of medicinal mushrooms. Furthermore, T. versicolor extracts show promise as a natural source of antioxidant(s) and/or radical scavengers, which could eventually be used as medicinal compounds or functional food supplements in the treatment of diseases. บทความ (Article) 2026-04-27T00:00:00Z http://mfuir.mfu.ac.th:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/1690 Substrate formulation and cultivation trials of Laetiporus sulphureus from tropical northern Thailand Chukeatirote E; Luangharn T; Hyde KD; Wang R; Song C Laetiporus sulphureus is a globally distributed polypore fungus valued for its culinary, medicinal, and biotechnological applications. Despite its economic potential, this species remains notably under-domesticated, and almost no cultivation protocols exist for tropical regions. In northern Thailand, L. sulphureus is rare and seasonal, and is harvested exclusively from the wild, highlighting the need for reliable cultivation methods. This study provides the first systematic assessment of substrate suitability for Thai strains of L. sulphureus using both hardwood logs (mango, para rubber, and castanopsis) and para-rubber sawdust across 12 substrate formulations. Two strains (MFLUCC 12-0546 and MFLUCC 12-0547) were successfully propagated on sorghum grains, producing high-quality spawn. Log cultivation resulted in limited and transient colonization in Castanopsis, with no fruiting after six months. In contrast, sawdust-bag cultivation revealed clear substrate-dependent performance: formulas F11 and F12 supported rapid and complete colonization and induced primordia formation, whereas nutrient-poor formulas (F1–F5) failed to support growth. Although mature fruiting bodies were not obtained, this study identifies the first substrate formulations capable of initiating reproductive development, including primordia formation, in Thai L. sulphureus strains and it provides quantitative baseline data on colonization behavior under tropical conditions. These findings highlight the species’ sensitivity to substrate composition, nutrient balance, and environmental triggers such as temperature and humidity. The study establishes foundational parameters for future optimization and represents a critical step toward domestication of L. sulphureus in Southeast Asia, with potential long-term benefits for local mushroom production and commercial diversification. บทความ (Article) 2026-04-27T00:00:00Z http://mfuir.mfu.ac.th:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/1689 Identification of foliose lichens and antibacterial screening of Parmotrema neopustulatum collected from communal forest in Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines Akyüz M; Kırbağ S Various lignocellulosic waste products, generated from agricultural harvesting, present significant environmental challenges in terms of their use and disposal. The cultivation of mushrooms offers a cost-effective biotechnological method to recycle these lignocellulosic residues. This study aimed to assess the suitability of local lignocellulosic residues for the cultivation of P. nebrodensis, a relatively new species in mushroom cultivation. The study measured several parameters: spawn colonization periods (15.7-17.0 days), initiation of the first primordia (38.7-41.3 days), total harvest periods (77.3-83.3 days), and total yields (6.7-10.5 g/100 g) for P. nebrodensis grown on bean pods (BP), a mixture of bean pods and chickpea pods (BP-CP, 1:1), and a mixture of bean pods and wheat straw (BP-WS, 1:1). While there were no statistically significant differences in the first primordia initiation period, first harvest period, total harvest period, or second yield, significant differences were observed in spawn colonization period, first yield, second primordia initiation period, and total yields. These findings suggest that exploring less costly and more readily available alternative substrates, such as BP, CP, and WS wastes, could be advantageous for P. nebrodensis production. In conclusion, there is a need for further research on the cultivation of P. nebrodensis using various agricultural wastes, given its emerging status among cultivated mushrooms. บทความ (Article) 2026-04-27T00:00:00Z