Main topic information
Vocabulary/new concepts:
Psilocybin – a substance that causes hallucinations.
Symbiosis – cohabitation of two or more organisms.
Osmotrophy – (osmo – water; trophia – nutrition) feeding by ingesting ambient water and taking in the substances dissolved in it.
Hyphae – thin filaments by which fungi feed.
Bioremediation – a process that uses living organisms, usually microorganisms, fungi, plants, or their enzymes, to break down, remove, or neutralize pollutants and toxic substances from soil, water, or air. This method is part of environmental engineering and is applied to remediate contaminated sites in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.
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What are mushrooms?
These are organisms that belong to one of the five kingdoms into which all living things in nature are divided – the Mushroom Kingdom. It is a separate kingdom because these living organisms are not plants, as they do not carry out photosynthesis, and are not animals, although they have some similarities to them. Fungi perform the vital functions of interaction, reproduction and nutrition. They obtain nutrients by breaking down the organic matter around them. They can be found almost anywhere:
- in forests, in meadows
- in our homes, in some foods
- even on the human body.
It is important to know about mushrooms that there are species that are beneficial to humans (they do not bite, on the contrary – they help them), but there are also species that are poisonous and even deadly (they really “bite”).
An interesting fact is that humans could benefit from poisonous mushrooms. For example, research is being carried out using the mad mushroom (Psilocybe spp.), which contains the psychoactive substance psilocybin (which causes hallucinations), to treat mental disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Another interesting fact is that there are mushrooms whose value can exceed EUR 2 000 per kilo. These are the White Truffles – underground mushrooms that grow in symbiosis with the roots of trees such as oak, hazel, beech and pine. They are known for their strong aroma and their high culinary value. To find truffles, the following methods are used – specially trained search dogs or pigs (the pigs were later deemed unsuitable as they ate the truffles already found).
How are the mushrooms fed?
Fungi feed through the process of osmotrophy (osmo = water, trophia = feeding), which means they ingest nutrients by absorbing ambient water and substances dissolved in it. This process is carried out by hyphae, multiple thin filaments that form the mushroom body and pierce the substrate, where they absorb the nutrients they need. There are three main ways in which fungi feed:
Saprophytes:
Saprophytes are fungi that feed on dead organic material, such as dead plants and animals. They break down these materials and release nutrients back into the soil, which helps maintain ecosystem health.
Parasites:
Parasitic fungi live on living organisms and feed on their tissues. They can cause disease in plants, animals and even humans.
Symbionts:
Symbionts form mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms. For example, mycorrhizal fungi live in plant roots and help plants absorb water and minerals from the soil. In return, the fungi receive sugars produced by the plants through photosynthesis.
Fungi that “do not bite…”
- They serve as human food – they are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals
Such a similar mushroom is of the species “shiitake” (also called “emperor mushroom”), which originates from the mountainous regions of the Asian countries of Japan, Korea and China. One of the most interesting benefits of shiitake is that through it people can reduce their weight, strengthen their bones and skin condition, reduce bodily inflammations, even prevent premature aging.
Fig. 1. Mushroom “Shiitake”
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Shiitakegrowing.jpg/220px-Shiitakegrowing.jpg
- They are involved in the decomposition of organic matter – even some types of fungi are capable of breaking down plastic, which can be useful in solving the pollution problem.
One such fungus, for example, is Pestalotiopsis microspora, which has been reported to be capable of degrading plastics, in particular polyurethane. This fungus was found in the Amazon rainforest and can use polyurethane as its sole carbon source, making it potentially very useful for bioremediation* of plastic waste.
Fig.2. Fungi “Pestalotiopsis microspora”
Source: https://funguys.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pestalotiopsis-microspora.jpg
- Yeast/yeast fungi and noble moulds contribute to the production of various foods and beverages (bread, cheese, wine, beer).
Yeasts are a type of unicellular fungi that are known for their ability to ferment sugars and produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. They are widely used in the production of bread, beer and wine. One of the best known yeast species is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is used in baking and brewing.
Fig.3. Yeast/Fungi
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/S_cerevisiae_under_DIC_microscopy.jpg/1024px-S_cerevisiae_under_DIC_microscopy.jpg
Автор: By Masur – Собствена творба, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1069017
Fungi that “bite”
- are toxic/poisonous to humans
The most toxic mushroom in the world is the green toadflax (Amanita phalloides), also known as the “angel of death”. This mushroom contains deadly toxins, such as amatoxins, which can cause severe liver and kidney damage, often leading to death if consumed. Even a small amount of this mushroom can be fatal if timely medical attention is not administered.
Fig.4. Green toadflax mushroom
Source: https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_phalloides#/media/Ficheru:Amanita_phalloides_1.jpg
- cause diseases in plants and humans
One of the most convenient places for the spread of fungi and fungal growths are… shoes. Moisture, heat, lack of light, presence of organic matter/tissue – what better place for fungi than this. The skin of the feet can be a wonderful home for any fungus. If one neglects good foot hygiene, then it can become the “best” friend of fungal infections.
Fig. 5. Signs of fungal infection of the feet
Source: https://bg.exodermin.eu/images/статии/1944/гъбички%20по%20кожата%20на%20краката.jpg
Fungi are extremely interesting organisms that play an important role in nature. They cannot bite, but we must be careful when collecting and consuming them. With proper knowledge and precautions, we can enjoy mushrooms safely and appreciate their role in our ecosystems.
