South Indian Agaricales V: Termitomyces Heimii

Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review

Termite mushrooms have been classified to the genus Termitomyces, family Lyophyllaceae, order Agaricales. These mushrooms form a mutualistic association with termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties. Additionally, Termitomyces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa. Recent studies on Termitomyces have indicated that their bioactive compounds have the potential to fight against certain human diseases such as cancer, hyperlipidaemia, gastroduodenal diseases, and Alzheimer's. Furthermore, they possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, different enzymes produced from Termitomyces have the potential to be used in a range of industrial applications. Herein, we present a brief review of the current findings through an overview of recently published literature involving taxonomic updates, diversity, distribution, ethno-medicinal uses, nutritional value, medicinal importance, and industrial implementations of Termitomyces, as well as its socioeconomic importance.

Termitomyces pakistanensis, a new mushroom species from Pakistan based on scanning electron microscopy and ITS-rDNA barcoding

Termitomyces pakistanensis sp. nov. is a member of an edible genus generally distributed in Asia and Europe. This species has been described as new species based on its different morphology, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of basidiospores. The novelty and degree of endemism is confirmed by analyzing the genetic variation of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1-5.8 S-ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA gene, a universal fungal marker. The evolutionary affinities of new species is also evaluated with Asian and European species by phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences. In our phylogenetic analysis, this genus is found monophyletic comprising of two monophyletic sub clades: Clade I, Microcarpus, with small sized fruiting bodies generally less than 5 cm without pseudorrhiza and Clade II, Macrocarpus, with large sized fruiting bodies generally more than 5 cm having pseudorrhiza. All collections of Pakistani species clustered independently in Microcarpus clade showing their endemic genetic makeup as it is clustering independently. A comprehensive description, photographs of the basidiocarps and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of spores are provided. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: It has a new species from Pakistan to world based on the scanning electron microscopy and further confirmed by DNA barcoding. The exact shape and size of basidiospores of this novel species is first time introduced by using SEM analysis. This genus is rarely described from Pakistan. This paper has introduced a two clade, Microcarpus and macrocarpus, in the world for this genus.

Structural characterization of a heteroglycan from an edible mushroom Termitomyces heimii

A water soluble heteroglycan (THPS) of an average molecular weight ~1.98 × 10⁵ Da was isolated from the aqueous extract of the fruit bodies of an edible mushroom Termitomyces heimii. Structural characterization of THPS was carried out using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation and 1D/2D NMR studies. Sugar analysis indicated the presence of glucose, mannose, galactose, and fucose in a molar ratio of nearly 6:2:2:1. The repeating unit of the THPS had a backbone consisting of four (1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl, one (1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl, two (1 → 3)-α-D-manopyranosyl, and two (1 → 6)-α-D-galactopyranosyl residues, out of which one (1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl residue was branched at O-6 position with terminal β-d-glucopyranosyl residue and one (1 → 6)-α-D-galactopyranosyl residue was branched at O-2 position with terminal α-L-fucopyranosyl residue.

Purification and characterisation of a sulphur rich melanin from edible mushroom Termitomyces albuminosus Heim

Production, purification and characterisation of a black pigment from Termitomyces albuminosus as melanin is reported, for the first time, from shaken submerged culture condition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and 13C (CP/MAS) NMR spectra. SEM results on T. albuminosus revealed nanogranular nature of melanin nanoparticles within size range of 400-100 nm with fractal dimension D = 1.195-1.73. Elemental analysis of melanin indicated 54.6% C, 3.5% H, 2.4% N, 26.9% O, and 12% S. UV-VIS and FTIR spectra confirmed to the characteristic of melanin and were identical to the reference commercial sepia melanin. Further validation of the identity of pigment as melanin was achieved by EPR analysis. Termitomyces albuminosus melanin is postulated to be DOPA-type melanin confirmed by 13C (CP/MAS) NMR spectral analysis showing chemical shift at 200-170 ppm carbonyl, 160-110 ppm aromatic region, and with high 40-30 ppm open chain aliphatic region. Chemical modification through oxidation and cysteinylation (Pheomelanin) is implied as indicated by relatively high sulphur content (12%).