This study was conducted to obtain basic data on domestic wild Lanopila nipponica K specimens collected in Jeollanam-do from 2015 to 2017 to investigate the characteristics of fruit bodies and analyze their nutritional components. L. nipponica K. was mainly found near hills, such as in persimmon fields around hills, on mountain trails, and in bamboo fields. L. nipponica K. occurred from July to mid-October, especially after the rainy season or a typhoon, when the air humidity was increased. Rainfall occurred for 8–15 days during the 20 days before the collection date, and the average temperature was ≥ 23oC. The size of the fruit body was 12.3–28 cm, and the weight varied depending on the size; however, the fruit body was estimated to grow overnight, reaching the size observed at its discovery. As aging progressed, the surface of the fruit body cracked, and it turned dark after 6 days. Spores were lump-shaped when the surface was cut with a knife. When the soil on the surface of the site where the fruit body was located was scratched, a white thread-shaped mycelium expanded. At the time of collection, the flesh of the fruit body was white, but it turned brown and fluffy as maturity progressed. On the sixth day after the mushroom was generated, it produced a pungent odor and became friable, resembling a black cotton ball. The surface of the fruit body was white and had a circular or elliptical shape. Crude protein content tended to be high at 59% of the dry weight. The antioxidant activity, determined using the DPPH radical scavenging analysis method, was 167 vitamin C equivalents/100 g. The spores were brown, approximately 6 μm in size, with protrusions on their surface.

Recently, with the increasing global demand for Ganoderma lucidum as a material for functional beverages, varieties with enhanced functionality are needed. As part of this effort, 10 strains were selected from a collection of 160 G. lucidum strains, based on their quantity and fruiting body characteristics. These included four strains collected in Korea, three in Japan, and three of unknown origin. Approximately 44% of the 1,290 hybrid strains were secured. After two rounds of bag cultivation in oak sawdust, three strains (G-20-4, G-20-5, and G-20-7) were ultimately selected for single-timbered cultivation. Among these, G-20-4 demonstrated the earliest harvesting with a large size and a bright cap. Additionally, this strain exhibited the highest levels of total glucan, β-glucan, total triterpenoid, total polyphenol, and total flavonoid content.

A new dark brown variety of Flammulina velutipes, referred to as ‘Asakchoco’, was bred by crossing two monokaryons isolated from the ‘Yeoreumhyang2ho’ and ‘Guemhyang2ho’ varieties. The pileus color of the new variety is dark brown and the stipe color is ivory, with uniformity from the upper section to the base. In addition, the primordia formation is uniform compared to that of the control, and the advantage of this is that the pileus does not become deformed after the primordia formation. During bottle cultivation, the period necessary for mycelial growth was 40 d, for primordia formation was 8 d, and for fruiting body growth was 16 d. The total cultivation period was 64 d, which was 2 d shorter than that of the control. The pileus was smaller and thicker and the stipe diameter was the same, but the stipe length was longer than that of the control. The number of valid stipes per bottle was 441, 24% higher than that of the control (357), and the yield was 197 g, 19% higher than that of the control (166 g).

In order to investigate the optimal UVB (ultraviolet B) treatment conditions for vitamin D2 enhancement of freeze-dried ear mushroom, sample size (below 300 μm~whole), UV treatment temperature (30~60℃), treatment density (6.25~50.0 mg/cm2) and the samples mixing frequency (1~32 times) were treated differently. After that, chromaticity, vitamin D2 and ergosterol (vitamin D2 precursor) contents were investigated. As a result of the investigating, effective UVB treatment conditions for vitamin D2 enhancement are as follows. The sample sizes were 2~4 mm and finely crushed pieces. The treatment temperatures were 50℃ and 60℃. The treatment density was 12.5 to 25.0 mg/cm2, and the number of sample mixing was 8 times or more. As the amount of vitamin D2 increased by UVB treatment, the ergosterol content generally tended to decrease. However, under some UVB treatment conditions, the vitamin D2 content was not high despite the decrease of ergosterol content. Under the conditions set in this experiment, it was possible to obtain ear mushrooms with enhanced vitamin D2 up to 26,968.7 μg/100 g. Therefore, it is thought that the ear mushroom is highly likely to be used as a vitamin D source and nutritionally fortified food ingredient.