Abstract
New functions of mushrooms are being clarified in order to use them in the fields of functional foods, bio-energy, and bioremediation. In this report, we discuss possibilities for applying the functions of mushrooms. In forest ecosystems, basidiomycetes play an important role as decomposers in the carbon cycle. White-rot fungi have developed unique non-specific enzyme systems with the ability to attack not only lignin, but also a broad spectrum of environmental pollutants. The degradation pathway of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by white-rot fungi is proposed, and the possibility of bioremediation by white-rot fungi is discussed. Ethanol is the most used liquid biofuel alternative to fossil fuels. To reduce ethanol production costs, a single microorganism capable of hydrolyzing cellulose and fermenting glucose and xylose to ethanol is an attractive candidate. White-rot fungus Phlebia sp. MG-60 was identified as a good producer of ethanol from several cellulosic materials containing lignin. Ganoderma fungus (Ganodermataceae) is a multifunctional medicinal mushroom traditionally used to treat various diseases. Treatment with the fruit body of G. lingzhi or with its ethanol extracts has been shown to significantly inhibit testosterone-induced growth of the ventral prostate in rats. A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized and dose-ranging study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the G. lingzhi ethanol extract in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Positive statistical significances were observed between the experimental groups in the magnitude of change. Moreover, the ethanol extract prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss.
