Exosome-like Particles (ELPs) derived from natural products have already attained great interest in drug delivery and therapeutic applications. Among these, mushroom-derived exosome-like particles (MELPs) remain an unexplored group with immense biomedical potential. Since the medicinal and edible mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins, and phenolic acids, there is a great chance that their ELPs also carry these compounds during their biogenesis. Hence, MELPs with these beneficial compounds, exhibiting favorable conditions such as nano-size, stability, and cellular uptake properties, should be considered a novel potential natural nano-carrier. Here, we detail the current understanding of MELPs in terms of their biological functions, physicochemical characteristics, molecular cargo, and isolation methods. We also highlight their potential applications in cancer therapy, immune modulation, inflammation, and microbiome regulation. Moreover, we outline the challenges and future directions for standardizing the isolation protocol to yield large-scale production and elucidate the mechanistic pathways. As MELP’s research advances, it may emerge as the next generation of nano-carriers in natural therapeutics and green nanomedicine.

Human space exploration increasingly relies on sustainable, self-regenerating biological systems to address challenges such as radiation protection, habitat materials, life-support stability, and food production. In recent years, mushrooms and filamentous fungi have emerged as promising biological platforms because of their metabolic versatility, structural robustness, and adaptability to extreme environmental conditions. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on fungal and mycelium-based technologies pertinent to space missions and assess their potential for application in Lunar and Martian habitats. It also emphasizes recent advancements in fungal radiation shielding, mycelium-based construction materials, bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS), waste recycling, and nutrient-rich food production. The field of fungal synthetic biology has seen significant advancements, particularly in the engineering of melanin pathways, development of self-healing mycelial materials, and integration of bioelectronic functionalities, all of which contribute to pioneering “living material” concepts. Insights from spaceflight and microgravity simulation studies were integrated to evaluate the technological readiness of these innovations and identify persisting challenges. Thus, mycelium-based systems present a versatile and scalable approach for future spacehabitat development. However, challenges remain, including regulating growth in microgravity, ensuring mechanical reliability, maintaining biosafety, and achieving long-term radiation resistance. Consequently, targeted research integrating space biology experiments, genetic engineering, and advanced biomanufacturing is recommended to facilitate the adoption of fungal technologies for sustainable, long-term missions.

Due to the implementation of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) scheme, the verification of the microbiological safety of imported agricultural by-products used as mushroom substrates is now concerning. However, basic data on pathogenic fungi remain scarce. In this study, we examined fungal contamination levels (CFU/g) in the agricultural by-products imported in 2017 from Egypt, Germany, India, and Ukraine. Fungal loads ranged from 1.0 × 102 - 6.6 × 104 CFU/g. A total of 25 species across 10 genera were identified, including 21 species from Ascomycota, 3 species from Basidiomycota, and 1 species from Mucoromycota. Some of these species have been known to produce mycotoxins and exhibit pathogenicity toward humans or animals. The results of this study suggest that the fungal contamination in imported agricultural by-products is a critical factor to be considered in mushroom cultivation.

In this study, flavored oils were developed using oak mushroom (Lentinula edodes), with olive, avocado, soybean, and sunflower oils as the carrier oils. Changes in oxidative stability, color, aroma, and taste resulting from infusion with oak mushroom powder were then comparatively evaluated. Across all four oils, the samples infused with oak mushroom powder did not exhibit significant differences in primary and secondary oxidation levels compared with those of the controls; however, in terms of color, browning decreased in olive oil but tended to increase in avocado, soybean, and sunflower oils. Based on the analysis of aromatic characteristics, major sulfur compounds derived from oak mushroom formed in refined soybean and sunflower oils, whereas olive and avocado oils did not exhibit distinct effects. In terms of taste characteristics, umami increased after oak mushroom powder infusion across all oils, and the enhancement of umami was particularly significant in olive and avocado oils. These results indicate that the aromatic and taste characteristics of oak mushroom-flavored oils exhibit different patterns depending on the type of vegetable oil used.

This study was conducted to investigate the potential use of Cordyceps militaris spent mushroom substrate as a natural antimicrobial agent. The fruiting body and spent mushroom substrate of C. militaris were extracted into 80% ethanol, and the antimicrobial activity was compared. Both extracts (1 mg/disc) exhibited clear antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the agar diffusion assay. The MIC values of the fruiting body and spent substrate extracts against P. aeruginosa were determined to be 0.4 mg/ml and 0.6 mg/ml, respectively, indicating a bacteriostatic action. The inhibitory effects of the C. militarisspent mushroom substrate extract on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa were determined by biofilm biomass staining and qRT-PCR analysis. The biofilm biomass and cell growth of P. aeruginosa in the cultures treated with 0.2–2.0 mg/ml of extracts were significantly decreasedin a concentration-dependent manner. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the lasI and lasR gene expression associated to quorum sensing (QS) in the cultures treated with 0.2–2.0 mg/ml of extracts were suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that extracts from C. militaris spent mushroom substrate can be used as an antimicrobial agent derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the bacteriostatic action and inhibition of biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa.

Edible mushrooms are recognized as a rich source of diverse metabolites, including polysaccharides, amino acid derivatives, terpenoids, polyphenols, sterols, and flavonoids. These compounds have been extensively reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and metabolic regulatory activities, thereby underscoring their scientific and industrial significance in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. However, conventional extraction methods, which are simple and cost-effective, have limitations in large-scale processes, including long processing times, excessive use of solvents, low yields, and degradation of heat-sensitive compounds, which limit scalability. Therefore, eco-friendly extraction methodologies have emerged as sustainable alternatives. Advanced extraction strategies using food-grade solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents, in conjunction with ultrasound or microwave assistance, enable selective recovery of metabolites under mild conditions, enhancing yield and minimizing the environmental impact. In this review recent progress in advanced extraction methodologies, with respect to efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability, are critically assessed. The industrial implications, including case studies of advanced extraction methodologies applied to secondary metabolites, and the potential of edible mushrooms as renewable bioresources or the development of nextgeneration functional foods and natural therapeutics, are also discussed.

Exosome-like particles (ELPs) derived from natural products have attracted considerable interest for drug delivery and therapeutic applications. Mushroom-derived exosome-like particles (MELPs) are an unexplored group with significant biomedical potential. Because medicinal and edible mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and phenolic acids, it is likely that their ELPs also carry these compounds during their biogenesis. Hence, MELPs containing these beneficial compounds, which exhibit favorable characteristics such as nanosize, stability, and cellular uptake properties, should be considered a novel potential natural nanocarrier. Here, we have detailed the current understanding of MELPs in terms of their biological functions, physicochemical characteristics, molecular cargo, and isolation methods. We have also highlighted their potential applications in cancer therapy, immune modulation, inflammation, and microbiome regulation. Moreover, we have outlined the challenges and future directions for standardizing the isolation protocol to yield large-scale production and for elucidating the mechanistic pathways. As MELP research advances, it may emerge as a next-generation nanocarrier in natural therapeutics and green nanomedicine.

Wood ear mushrooms (Auricularia heimuer) are commercially used in various fields in South Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures, including monitoring and prevention of microbial growth in cultivation houses, as microorganisms can reduce the wood ear mushroom’s marketability and cause food poisoning among consumers. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the direct impact of airborne fungi isolated and identified from the indoor air of domestic wood ear mushroom cultivation houses on the mycelia growth of wood ear mushroom strains. For the evaluation, 11 airborne fungal species were tested with three strains of A. heimuer on PDA using the cocultivation method. Among them, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium anthropophilum, Cochliobolus kusanoi, Lecanicillium sp., Periconia byssoides, and Periconia pseudobyssoides suppressed the mycelial growth of all three A. heimuer strains. There was no significant difference in the reaction against the 11 tested airborne fungal species among the three A. heimuer strains. The results of this study show that proper management of airborne fungi is necessary in the indoor environment of wood ear mushroom cultivation houses.

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using domestic agricultural by-products—pruned branches of apple and pear trees, soybean stems, and spent cocopeat substrate—as alternative substrates for the cultivation of Flammulina velutipes. Chemical analysis showed that Substrate 1 (apple branches replacing corncob) and Substrate 2 (pear branches replacing corncob) had total carbon (42.6%) and total nitrogen (1.5%) contents most comparable to those of the Control. Mycelial growth in all mixed substrates exceeded that of the control. Fruiting body yield was higher in Substrate 2 (273.4 g/1,100mL) and Substrate 1 (238.0 g) compared with the Control (231.5 g). Fruiting body quality in Substrates 1 and 2 was equivalent to that of the control. These results indicate that woody by-products such as apple and pear pruned branches can serve as effective replacements corncob in F. velutipes cultivation.

This study was conducted to evaluate horticultural and herbal crop by-products as alternative substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii. Chemical analysis showed that Substrate 3 contained 42.2% total carbon and 2.6% total nitrogen, comparable to the control substrate (42.9% and 2.7%). After 35 days of incubation, mycelial growth in treatments ranged from 134.3 to 140.7 mm, which was similar to or greater than that of the control (135.5 mm). Fruiting body yield in Substrate 3 (173.4 g/1,100 mL) was about 14% higher than Control A (152.6 g) at 15 days after scratching, while Substrate 4 (202.9 g) produced yields comparable to Control B (209.6 g) at 17 days. These results demonstrate that red ginseng marc can entirely replace corn germ meal without compromising growth or yield, suggesting its strong potential as a sustainable substrate for P. eryngii. In addition, to enhance the utilization of by-products as substrate resources, it is essential to first establish stable and large-scale supply chains.

A new oak mushroom cultivar Lentinula edodes ‘Eomjisong’ (LE23734), was developed by crossing the dikaryotic and monokaryotic strains of ‘KME36298’ and ‘KME36288-1’, respectively. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth of ‘Eomjisong’ on potato dextrose agar was 23–27°C, and was 15–20°C for fruiting body development. The cultivation period of ‘Eomjisong’ was 131 days, which was 3 days shorter than that of the control cultivar ‘Hanacham’. Morphologically, ‘Eomjisong’ showed stipe length and thickness similar to those of ‘Hanacham’, however, the pileus was larger and thicker. Furthermore, the pileus of ‘Eomjisong’ exhibited higher brightness than that of ‘Hanacham’. Productivity tests showed that the total yield of ‘Eomjisong’ reached 555 g, which was approximately 25.6% higher than that of ‘Hanacham’ (442 g). These findings indicate that ‘Eomjisong’ is a promising cultivar with enhanced productivity and morphological advantages over ‘Hanacham’, suggesting its potential for commercial cultivation.