Mosquitoes, Meet Fungal Extracts 😏

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 1️⃣ Chanterelles vs. Alzheimer’s enzymes

• 2️⃣ Fungi vs. mosquitoes

• 3️⃣ Mushroom preservation tips

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Good and good FOR you 🤤 Researchers optimized the extraction process of the chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius), revealing its strong antioxidant and anticancer properties. The mushroom extracts were found to inhibit enzymes linked to Alzheimer’s and showed potential in fighting cancer cells.

An addition to breast cancer treatment 🍄 Ergosterol, a compound found in mushrooms, shows promise in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells by targeting the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway—a critical driver of cancer progression. This suggests ergosterol could be a valuable addition to breast cancer treatments, especially with aggressive tumors.

Good for the gut 👅 Researchers discovered a new polysaccharide, ATP, from the mushroom Armillariella tabescens, which significantly alleviated symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. The study showed that ATP improves gut health by enhancing the intestinal barrier, reducing inflammation, and balancing gut bacteria.

Liver cancer treatment 💊 Researchers developed a novel nanodrug using selenium nanoparticles coated with polysaccharides from the mushroom Pholiota adiposa (PAP-SeNPs) to enhance liver cancer treatment. It effectively reprograms immune cells called macrophages from a tumor-supporting state to a tumor-fighting state, boosting the body's immune response against liver cancer.

A tropical strain 🌴 Paddy straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea) were shown to be packed with powerful antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress, a key factor in aging and disease. Live in a hot climate? They thrive in intense summer heat and fruit above 80°F in as little as a week after spawning.

Digging into DNA 🧬 Scientists have successfully mapped 98.15% of the genetic blueprint of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma Zizhi S2, identifying 8,521 core genes and 880 unique genes specific to this variety. Notably, they discovered a new immune-boosting protein, reinforcing that Zizhi S2 is the same species as the renowned Ganoderma sinense used in traditional medicine.

Combating deadly fungal infections 🧫 Duke University researchers discovered a key enzyme, Tps1, that fungi like Cryptococcus neoformans rely on to survive in the human body.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

End of life ease 🕊️ Psychedelics have shown promise in easing the emotional and existential distress of terminally ill patients, offering a potential path to peace and acceptance as they face the end of life. Yet, the federal illegality of these substances in the U.S. restricts access, leaving many patients without this vital option for end-of-life care. “Psilocybin has an impact on serotonin receptors in the brain that causes changes in perception and insights that assist patients in dealing with their fears and feelings in a new way,” says Dr. Bryan Bruno, Medical Director at Mid City TMS.

Risk factors ❤️‍🩹 New research shows that 31% of people with personality disorders had negative reactions to psychedelics, compared to over two-thirds of positive responses in those with depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. “Understanding who may not respond well to psychedelics is crucial for improving treatment safety,” the study notes, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Fungi vs. mosquitoes 🦟 Recent studies reveal that fungal extracts from the Myrothecium species can effectively kill Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae, which spread deadly diseases like dengue and Zika. These extracts achieved up to 100% mortality rates in mosquito larvae, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical insecticides that mosquitoes are increasingly resistant to.

Mycelium in space 🛰️ Samples of lion’s mane, turkey’s tail, and cordyceps were sent to the International Space Station to study how mycelium grows in zero gravity. The mushrooms will return to Earth in the coming weeks, where they will be grown in lab conditions before being compared to a control group of mushrooms that have never left Earth.

GROWING GOURMET

That sizzle 🔥 These King Trumpet Mushroom Scallops will be on my Labor Day menu. I’ll also be eating at Community Vegan again this weekend because whoa, y’all, those Lemon Pepper Wangz from fried oyster mushrooms are too good. Central Texans, put it on your list.

Fungi found in Whole Foods 🛒 Nature’s Fynd launched Fy, a protein derived from fungi found in Yellowstone's geothermal springs, now featured in the world’s first fungi-based yogurt available at Whole Foods. Compared to traditional plant-based and animal proteins, Fy uses fewer resources and generates lower emissions.

Calling poblano pepper fans 🌶️ Researchers found that using a combo of beneficial fungi (AMF) and bacteria (PGPR) significantly boosts the growth and health of poblano pepper plants. The study showed that this biofertilizer combo led to a 35% increase in plant height, 66% more leaves, and a 195% higher phosphorus content compared to plants without these microorganisms. It also improved gas exchange in the plants, making them more efficient at photosynthesis and overall growth.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Functional Mushrooms and Epilepsy Explored in Research

A light in the dark 🕯️ In the United States, epilepsy affects approximately 3.4 million individuals, including 470,000 children, with about 30 to 40% of these patients not responding to conventional medications, according to the CDC. Lily’s Lighthouse and Realm of Caring have worked together since January to put together a pre-clinical study, hoping to provide new avenues for those unaided by traditional therapies.

• Lily’s story 💜 Founded by Sarah-Kate Boylan, Lily’s Lighthouse is a nonprofit to seek innovative non-traditional treatments for intractable epilepsy. Lily was just 5 weeks old when she was diagnosed and for over 7 years, Lily and her family were in and out of hospitals trying to manage her condition. In 2021, Lily’s mom Sarah discovered studies on the benefits of functional mushrooms and dove headfirst into the research. With continuous use of functional mushrooms alongside anti-seizure medication, Lily went from having an average of 50 seizures a day to roughly one every few months.

• Early potential 🧠 Early observations suggest reishi mushrooms possess anticonvulsant properties, while lion’s mane mushrooms can foster neural regeneration, offering promising avenues for epilepsy treatment.

• Observational study goals 📋️ Unlimited Sciences and Realm of Caring, led by Dr. Matthew X. Lowe, are spearheading the study who focuses on the anticonvulsant properties of reishi and the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of lion’s mane. The team needs help fundraising to reach the step in the research campaign 👉️ Read more.

TIPS FROM TELLURIDE: COOKING

Mushroom Preservation with Gabrielle Cerberville, the Chaotic Forager

Make mushrooms last 🍄 One of the best sessions at Telluride Mushroom Festival was Gabrielle Cerberville’s Mushroom Preservation class. It was an awesome fire hose of information, I couldn’t write fast enough. Here are my favorite tips:

1. Field dress your mushrooms 🧺 Less things to do at home means less waste in the long run.

2. Dry fry your mushrooms in salt 🍳 Instead of adding butter or oil to your pan of fresh mushrooms, add salt to a cast iron and cook mushrooms at a high heat to soak up the moisture, then get to infusing with fats for flavor.

3. Chanterelles are delicate 🧊 Cook first before freezing.

4. Dehydrate mushrooms at 130-150°F to make mushroom leather. The best use? Throw it in hot water to make a mushroom broth.

5. For the love of microwaving, don’t 🛑 Never, ever try to microwave or boil to release toxins from mushrooms as they’re released in the air, much to your damage.

6. New bourbon alert 🥃 Candy cap mushrooms make delicious infused bourbon. Throw 4-5 dried candy caps in a bottle of Bulleit and let sit.

7. Use frozen or fresh mushrooms for mushroom salt 🧂 Dried mushrooms separate when working down to a coarse consistency.

8. Honey preservation 🍯 You can use boletes, morels, candy caps, and even grocery Agaricus bisporus.

LICHEN OF THE WEEK

Common Orange Lichen (Xanthoria parietina)

Orange you glad nature has built-in pollution monitors? 🟠 Xanthoria parietina may be a common orange lichen but it's more than a streak in the forest. This tough, pollution-tolerant species thrives in places heavy with air (especially nitrogen) pollution. Lichen don't have roots to filter what they take in, they absorb everything from the atmosphere directly through their surface. ⁠

CULTIVATION CORNER

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