Californians choose the official state mushroom

Hi there 🍄 

This week’s highlights include a new study on marine fungi’s expansive opportunities to clean up the environment and a maitake burger.

Introducing the golden chanterelle

In 2024, the golden chanterelle (Cantharellus californicus) will become California's official state mushroom. Championed by State Rep Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), the mushroom was chosen by popular vote — over 4,000 — among six options: black trumpet, candy cap, golden chanterelle, king bolete, lion’s mane, and western jack o’ lantern.

• 📍 A local favorite: Mainly spotted in the Bay Area and reaching up to Oregon, the golden chanterelle keeps company with live oak trees and thrives on dead wood. This relationship is key to maintaining healthy soils. Plus, those winter rains in the Pacific region? Perfect for mushroom growth.

• 🥘 Why it's special: A favorite among foodies, the golden chanterelle is known for its significant size and delightful apricot-like aroma. However, beware of its look-alike, the toxic Jack O' Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olivascens). The best way to cook them? Sauté in a pan with butter and a little bacon.

• 🌳 Joining the ranks: California's state symbols already include the majestic redwoods and the lovely California poppies. Choosing an official mushroom is a win for fungi enthusiasts as a celebration of the crucial role fungi play in our ecosystems.

👉 Read more about the vote.

Chaga and diabetic kidney disease

Chaga, Inonotus obliquus, is gaining attention in diabetic kidney disease research, as highlighted in a study by Wang and colleagues in the Journal of Inflammation Research. The research reveals the potential of this revered mushroom in combating the deterioration of the kidneys, a major cause of end-stage kidney disease where current treatments fall short. Chaga, one of the key healers in Traditional Chinese Medicine, was found in the study to create the following pharmacological effects.

• 📈 Antioxidant activity: Chaga was shown to possess significant antioxidant properties which is crucial in managing conditions like DKD, where oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in speeding up the deterioration of the kidneys.

• 🩺 Hypoglycemic effect: The fungus has demonstrated a notable hypoglycemic effect, which is particularly helpful for type 2 diabetes management. It influences glucose metabolism, corrects lipid metabolism disorders, and regulates enzyme activities related to diabetes. This equates to regulating blood sugar levels.

• ♻️ Anti-inflammatory properties: Chaga has been found to help reduce inflammation, a key factor in the progression of diabetic kidney disease. This is achieved by inhibiting pathways like NF-κB signaling in DKD.

👉 Read more about the study.

Marine fungi and environmental healing

Marine-derived fungi, adept at thriving in diverse oceanic conditions, are gaining recognition for their role in science, particularly highlighted in Jorge R. Virués-Segovia's study "Marine-derived fungi as biocatalysts" in Microbiological Chemistry and Geomicrobiology. This research underscores their enzymatic capabilities as biocatalysts, accelerating chemical reactions, and their potential in biotechnological innovations and environmental cleanup.

• 🦠 Combatting parasites with enzymes: Marine fungi are really good at producing enzymes that eventually create antidotes to parasites found in animals. In general, they’re stellar at creating new bioactive compounds on their own in response to their environment, making them a first line of defense.

• 🧬 Transforming steroids through biotransformation: Many medical treatment derivatives require the ability to transform into steroids, and marine fungi, again, excel at this process. This makes them viable for use in pharmaceuticals given their expressive biotransformation rate.

• ☣️ Pollutant biodegradation: Marine fungi are incredible at breaking down pollutants in their environment, and this microbial activity makes them especially intriguing in using their abilities to erase the pollution in our waters.

👉 Read more about the study.

Around the web

• ⭐️ The state mushroom of Texas, known as both the Devil’s Cigar and the Texas star, has been spotted in the Hill Country. A star-shaped mushroom that releases its spores in a very dramatic fashion, this fungi is fascinating because the only other place it’s been found in the world is Japan, highlighting how deep those mycelial roots run.

• 🎁 The Denver Mushroom Cooperative organized a "Gifting Portal" event on December 21, where individuals aged 21 and up gathered to freely share and exchange psilocybin mushrooms, spores, and cultivation advice, all in compliance with Colorado's new natural medicine laws. Held at Plant Magic Cafe, the event emphasized education and community, with attendees receiving a 150-page beginner's guide to mushroom use and engaging in discussions about microdosing, cultivation, and the legal landscape of psychedelics in Colorado.

• 🍔 Dom Dom Burger, Japan's oldest hamburger chain, has introduced a unique "Konya wa Maitake Burger" featuring 200 grams of maitake mushrooms in each burger. The burger blends the rich, earthy flavors with a teriyaki glaze and a beef patty. Would you try it?

Featured artist: Gustav Fischer

Gustav Fischer is an Australian botanical and mycological artist whose work featured at The Spore Print Collective, where he creates art and photography inspired by mushroom spore prints through abstract macro photography. His work aims to capture the essence and magic of mushrooms, creating a unique mycological fingerprint in time.