Hair dyeing, hair perming, and daily hair dryer use can substantially damage hair. Consequently, the demand for products containing natural ingredients for the care of damaged hair is growing. Although polyphenols with antioxidant effects are often used for hair conditioning, few studies have focused on hair conditioning, and the potential of Sparassis latifolia mushroom extract for hair improvement has not been evaluated to date. In this study, the antioxidant activity of and polyphenol content in hot water, 70% and 100% ethanol (EtOH), n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and water extracts of S. latifolia were analyzed. A hair treatment containing S. latifolia extract was prepared, and its effect on damaged hair was evaluated. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the hot water and EtOAc extracts. Moreover, polyphenol analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy confirmed that the EtOAc fraction has relatively high contents of specific polyphenols beneficial for hair. Based on these results, a hair treatment containing S. latifolia extract was applied to damaged hair, and hair improvement was evaluated using hair thickness, tensile strength, and scanning electron microscopy. The hair treatment containing 70% EtOH extract effectively improved hair condition. We postulate that this improvement was caused by the high hydrophobic polyphenol content in the 70% EtOH extract.

Mushroom-based vegan meat has thus far been used as a food for humans instead of pets. However, based on its texture and nutritional content, it is considered suitable for processing into pet treats. In the present study, we developed a prototype dog chew with a sweetening coating added to a fungal mycelium mat obtained by culturing the Basidiomycetous fungus Trametes orientalis. The palatable coating applied to the mycelium mat by plasticizing the mat with glycerol improved the taste and aroma of the existing mat, and the dog consumed it without difficulty. Future improvements may include a softening process to reduce the chewiness level and a procedure to reduce the crude fiber content. Mycelium-mat-based dog chews, manufactured using eco-friendly materials and processes that are not harmful to the environment are expected to enter the market as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional pet treats. Controlling their physical properties require further study.

In this review, we examine the latest technological developments in the utilization of truffles, a gourmet ingredient reputed to be one of the "world's three greatest delicacies," considering changing global consumption trends. Global demand for truffles is expected to increase steadily, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2023 to 2030. As truffles are expensive, the demand for truffles is expected to be concentrated in developed countries such as the United States, European countries, and Japan. In Korea, truffles are utilized in various industries, including food, functional foods, and cosmetics. Korean consumer demand for truffles has consistently remained high since 2019, and truffle products have been performing well in the market. Consequently, there exists substantial potential demand for newly developed truffle-related products and technologies. This review aims to provide objective research information through the systematic analysis of patent applications in Korea and internationally, focusing on technologies involving truffles, and can aid in setting directions for research and development.

The importance of biocomposites has increased owing to the changes in global consumption trends and rapid climate change. Technologies using mushroom mycelium cultivation, and molding methods for mycelial application have gained attention as potential strategies for producing eco-friendly composites. Currently, mushroom mycelia are used as raw materials for food and cosmetics; however, research on their utilization as biocomposite materials is limited. Therefore, the potential for the development of mushroom mycelium-related products and technologies is high. This review analyzes the domestic and international patent application trends related to the technologies for composite (packaging, insulation, adhesives, and leather) and food (substitute for meat) materials using mushroom mycelium, as an eco-friendly biocomposite material, to provide objective patent information that can further research and development (R&D) in this field.

Bio-based alternative leathers may be produced from biomass fiber, protein polymers, bacterial cellulose, and mushroom mycelia. Of these components, mushroom mycelia are of greatest interest. In this study, the potential of Fomes fomentariusas a mushroom mycelial mat was confirmed, and the optimal strain for the development of the mycelial mat was determined. Moreover, the quality of the mycelial mat was improved by identifying an efficient culture method to increase productivity. Mutant strains whose independence was verified were obtained by treatment with gamma irradiation under various conditions. Biofilm formation by the resulting strains was examined in sawdust and liquid media and the characteristics of the biofilms were analyzed. The biofilm of the mutant strains showed results that were similar to or better than the biofilms of longevity and cypress mushrooms. These findings are expected to be utilized in future research aimed at discovering new biomaterials using mushroom mycelia.

Eco-friendly materials, such as alternative vegan materials using various fungal resources, are being actively researched to reduce environmental pollution and facilitate a healthy lifestyle. The fungal mycelium-based mushroom mycelium mat is one such emerging material. In this study, the commonly used mushroom mycelium culture method was modified to reduce the time required to produce the mycelium mat, lower the possibility of contamination, and improve the properties and quality of the mat. Shortening the period required for the previously used primary bag culture and secondary mat production culture. A culture method in which the bag culture was omitted was attempted using a mycelium mutated by gamma irradiation to the mycelium of Trametes orientalis. In addition, various nutrients were added to the fungal solution to observe the change in physical properties of the fungal mat. High-quality mycelium mats were produced in the experimental group containing 1.5% CaCO3 in sawdust medium, and the period was also reduced by more than 10 days compared to the existing production method. In the future, for mass producing mycelium mats, additional selection of medium components and optimization of culture conditions are essential.

버섯 다당류는 면역 조절 기능, 항암 및 항산화 활성을 비롯하여 항바이러스 활성과 방사선 스트레스의 경감 등 인체에 유익한 다양한 생리활성을 나타낸다. 본 연구에서는 분홍느타리버섯 (Pleurotus djamor var. roseus Corner)으 로부터 뜨거운 물과 에탄올 침전을 이용하여 5.6%의 수율로 갈색을 띠는 경화된 다당류(CPs)를 순차적으로 추출하였다. 이렇게 추출된 CP는 Diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DEAE) 및 sepharose-6B 컬럼 분리를 통해 4개의 분획을 얻었고 각 분획의 총 글루칸 함량은 각각 76.85%, 2.95%, 75.08%, 1.46%로 밝혀졌다. 이중 가장 높은 수율의 분획 (PP)으로부터 300 mg의 백색 분말이 얻어 졌으며, 박층 크로마토그래피(TLC)와 푸리에 변환 적외선 분광법(FTIR) 의 결과로부터 자일로펜토스 유형의 화합물과 함께 다당류 부분의 존재를 확인하였다. PP의 항산화 활성은 1,1- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH) 자유라디칼 소거 분석 및 슈퍼옥사이드 라디칼 소거 분석을 통하여 높은 활성을 나타냄을 확인하였다. PP분획에는 페놀, 단백질 및 단순 탄수화물이 없는 정제된 베타글루칸이 주 구성성분으로, 정 제된 다당류가 천연 항산화제로 사용될 수 있음을 알 수 있었다.

버섯의 섭취는 버섯의 유용 성분에 의해 면역체계 및 장내미생물균총의 변화를 유발한다. 그중 많이 알려진 β- glucan 구조 기반 물질들은 염증매개물질의 분비는 억제 하고 대식세포의 활성은 유발하여 면역력의 증진을 도와 인체의 면역기능을 증진시킨다. 직접적인 유용 성분 이외의 다른 물질은 장내 미생물균총에 의해 단쇄지방산으로 변화되며, 변화된 단쇄지방산은 면역 및 다양한 질병의 완화를 유발하게 된다. 버섯이 포함하고 있는 성분은 β- glucan 외에도 장내미생물균총을 변화하게 유도하는 prebiotic로써의 역할을 수행하게 된다. 변화된 장내미생물 균총은 외부로부터 들어오는 다양한 감염성 균의 감염을 막으며, 면역체계의 균형 유지를 도우며, 질병을 예방하게 된다. 국내 섭취 빈도가 높은 새송이, 표고, 느타리, 팽이, 목이, 양송이 버섯의 유용 성분의 탐색, 장내미생물균총의 변화 및 섭취 시 인체의 단쇄지방산 변화 연구는 추후 버섯의 유용 성분, 장내미생물 및 질병과의 인과관계를 풀어내는데 기여할 것으로 여겨진다.

Mycelium composites and leathers have versatile material properties based on their composition and manufacturing process. To prepare mycelium mat for the production of mushroom leather, several strains were mutated by gamma rays. Some mutant strains, including Lentinula edodes, Ganoderma lucidium, and Schizophyllum commune showed good hyphae growth rate and density on saw-dust media. Irradiation power (Gy), time, and height from the radiation source to the sample were examined. Based on the preliminary data obtained in this study, comprehensive research should be conducted to explore the optimal strains and culture conditions for mycelium-based leather production.

Sparassis latifolia is a fungus abundant in β-glucan and amino acids and is highly valued as a medicinal mushroom. Among amino acids, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a free amino acid and has biological effects, such as increase/decrease of hypertension, improvement of cerebral blood flow, and prevention of dementia. In this study, biological elicitors were used to increase bioactive substances as a biofortification method. Sodium alginate extracted from seaweed (Sargassum horneri, Sargassum fulvellum, Sargassum fusiforme) were used as the elicitor. The levels of β-glucan and GABA in the mycelium and fruiting body grown by adding the elicitor to the medium were investigated. Addition of sodium alginate positively affected GABA production and negatively affected the β-glucan production in these fungi. Sodium alginates extracted from S. fulvellum induced the highest increase in GABA in the mycelium and fruiting bodies. Moreover, we investigated the effects of the extracts from mycelium and fruiting bodies on dendrite development in primary cortical neurons. We found that the extract from the fruiting bodies of sodium alginate treated fungi with increased levels of GABA inhibited the dendrite outgrowth of excitatory neurons, but not inhibitory neurons.