Qi Yang, Xuejie Wang, Jie Dong, Qinlu Lin, Bo Zhou, Jun Liu
{"title":"A centralized database for the genus Monascus: biology, metabolites, and metabolic regulation strategies.","authors":"Qi Yang, Xuejie Wang, Jie Dong, Qinlu Lin, Bo Zhou, Jun Liu","doi":"10.1186/s40694-026-00209-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40694-026-00209-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Monascus spp. are highly valuable microbial resources with extensive applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. In the food industry, it is often used to impart unique colors and flavors to various food products via fermentation. In the pharmaceutical field, Monascus-fermented substrate is utilized in formulating natural medicines, which exhibit beneficial properties such as lipid-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects. However, a critical gap exists: there is currently no dedicated database for the diverse species of Monascus and its secondary metabolites. To address this, this research aims to construct a comprehensive Monascus database that meets the needs of both the research community and industry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We successfully created the database FoodFungi (http://foodfungi.ddai.tech/). This database provides core information including: Basic details of Monascus strains; information on Monascus metabolites; relevant biological information of Monascus. Additionally, the FoodFungi database incorporates a specific function for evaluating changes in regulated Monascus products.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The FoodFungi database serves as a crucial support for Monascus-related research and practical applications. By providing organized, accessible information and predictive tools, it effectively promotes the further utilization of Monascus resources and drives the industrial development of Monascus-based products.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147678639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Linda Jahn, Angela Sester, Elena Theresa Domaschke, Tobias A M Gulder, Jutta Ludwig-Müller
{"title":"The plant endophytic fungus Cyanodermella asteris produces the phytohormone jasmonic acid.","authors":"Linda Jahn, Angela Sester, Elena Theresa Domaschke, Tobias A M Gulder, Jutta Ludwig-Müller","doi":"10.1186/s40694-026-00210-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-026-00210-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cyanodermella asteris is a fungal endophyte from Aster tataricus that produces plant hormones as well as a range of specialized metabolites. The aim of our study was to explore the potential of this endophytic fungus towards plant hormones besides the auxin indole-3-acetic acid which we recently identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Here, we identified another hormone, jasmonic acid (JA), from culture medium extracts by LC-MS/MS and NMR. JA was also found in the hyphal fraction, but its de novo biosynthesis could not be stimulated by linolenic acid, a known precursor for JA biosynthesis in plants. The growth of C. asteris in media was not inhibited by JA. Only at high concentrations of 1 mM, an inhibition of biomass production was recorded. Putative genes encoding enzymes for JA biosynthesis were identified in the genome, and expression analyses showed an induction of one thioester hydrolase, possibly catalyzing saponification of JA-CoA to free JA. We also investigated its interaction with plant jasmonate biosynthesis and signaling mutants, aoc and jar, respectively, and found that the fungus can complement the JA-deficient phenotypes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Further understanding of the biology of JA biosynthesis on C. asteris as well as its interactions with plants is needed to exploit its potential use as a producer of JA.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13063583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147617076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Siebe Pierson, Erwann Arc, Thomas Roach, Clara Baldin, Mario Gründlinger, Maximilian Mick, Patrick Herzog, Ilse Kranner, Susanne Zeilinger
{"title":"Exploring salicylic acid biosynthesis in Trichoderma spp. using an enhanced transformation approach.","authors":"Siebe Pierson, Erwann Arc, Thomas Roach, Clara Baldin, Mario Gründlinger, Maximilian Mick, Patrick Herzog, Ilse Kranner, Susanne Zeilinger","doi":"10.1186/s40694-026-00208-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-026-00208-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Salicylic acid (SA) is an important plant hormone but is also produced by microorganisms. Contrary to the well-described roles and biosynthetic pathways of SA in plants, its role in fungal physiology and its biosynthesis within fungi remains largely unclear. Here, we sought to investigate the role of SA in the physiology of Trichoderma spp. and to identify fungal genes responsible for SA biosynthesis in Trichoderma virens, while applying and optimizing a transformation approach recently adapted for Trichoderma atroviride.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant strain- and species-dependent differences in both SA biosynthesis and growth in the presence of exogenous SA were observed. Furthermore, in certain Trichoderma species SA biosynthesis turned out to be induced by the presence of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Based on plant SA biosynthesis pathways, candidate fungal SA biosynthesis genes were screened and respective T. virens gene deletion mutants generated through application and optimization of an enhanced transformation approach. Gene deletion did not result in a decrease in SA biosynthesis, providing evidence that SA biosynthesis in T. virens is distinct from the canonical plant pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although we were not able to identify genes responsible for SA biosynthesis in T. virens, we uncovered how certain Trichoderma and fungal phytopathogen species are affected by SA in their environment and how SA release by Trichoderma spp. can be affected by the presence of a plant host. Furthermore, we were able to optimize an approach to measuring phytohormones produced by Trichoderma spp. in plate culture and proved the applicability of an optimized transformation approach in T. virens.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12930902/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146159125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to get the most out of fungal biotechnology?","authors":"Yvonne Nygård, Vera Meyer","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00207-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00207-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During the past decades, the importance of fungal biotechnology in advancing a bioeconomy and a circular economy has been emphasized in both scientific literature, project proposals, awarded grants and social media. Filamentous fungi have been proven to provide sustainable solutions for various industrial applications, ranging from bioremediation and medicine to the production of food, feed, materials, chemicals and energy. This is where we are today, but where could tomorrow's fungal biotechnology take us? How can the seemingly infinite potential of fungal biotechnology for a circular economy become unlocked? In this editorial, we will cover some of the critical aspects that we believe are essential for the success and impact of fungal biotechnology to a future bioeconomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":"13 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12771900/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145907344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Donovan Garcia-Ceron, Sarah M Wilson, Mark R Bleackley, Marilyn A Anderson
{"title":"Immunogold labeling of extracellular vesicles from the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum reveals the presence of the protein marker Sur7.","authors":"Donovan Garcia-Ceron, Sarah M Wilson, Mark R Bleackley, Marilyn A Anderson","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00206-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00206-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fusarium head blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most threatening fungal diseases of cereals worldwide. Current practices for control of F. graminearum are not always efficient, as epidemics still occur and there is low resistance in wheat varieties. Therefore, novel antifungal targets must be discovered by analyzing the molecular interaction between F. graminearum and its host. Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound compartments (30-1000 nm) that carry macromolecules and support fungal virulence, hence the disruption of EV production could lead to reduced fungal pathogenicity. However, EV study is limited by the lack of surface protein markers to aid in their characterization. Therefore, the aim of this report was to target a surface protein marker with an antibody, to unlock advanced EV characterization techniques. Using the list of potential EV markers for Candida albicans, we selected the tetraspanin-like Sur7 to perform immunogold microscopy, revealing that this protein is a surface marker of F. graminearum EVs. SUR7 is present on the surface of some but not all vesicles. EVs carrying SUR7 were larger than those without the marker, suggesting that there are subtypes of fungal EVs. The epitope recognized by the anti-Sur7 antibody is conserved in other Fusarium pathogens, making Sur7 a potential pan-Fusarium EV marker. Our results unlock techniques, such as immunoaffinity chromatography and antibody labeling, to track fungal EVs and understand their biogenesis, which may lead to the development of novel antifungals.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12801696/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145716691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Narges Panjalipoursangari, Yating Ou, Bertram Schmidt, Wolfgang H Müller, Christina Völlmecke
{"title":"Impact of Fomes fomentarius growth on the mechanical properties of material extrusion additively manufactured PLA and PLA/Hemp biopolymers.","authors":"Narges Panjalipoursangari, Yating Ou, Bertram Schmidt, Wolfgang H Müller, Christina Völlmecke","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00205-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00205-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fungal-based biomaterials are emerging as sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymers, offering biodegradability and low environmental impact. However, the interaction between mycelium and 3D-printed biopolymers, particularly regarding mechanical performance, remains underexplored. This research investigates the tensile behavior of biopolymer specimens produced by Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing (MEX AM), focusing on the effects of Fomes fomentarius mycelium colonization. The study examines how pre- and post-processing steps, as well as different 3D-printing infill patterns, influence mycelial growth and its mechanical impact. Both pure PLA and PLA_Hemp biopolymers were studied to assess the role of natural particles in fungal interaction and structural performance. The results indicate that mycelial colonization has a minor impact on the mechanical properties of PLA, while PLA_Hemp shows more pronounced, time-dependent effects. Environmental conditions such as humidity and incubation also affect mechanical performance, whereas certain pretreatments, like autoclaving, can significantly weaken the material. Overall, this work provides insight into the integration of mycelium within 3D-printing biopolymers, demonstrating the feasibility of hybrid biocomposites and highlighting both opportunities and challenges, thereby paving the way for more sustainable materials design and construction practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":"12 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12598823/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145477289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Prasath Balaji Sivaprakasam Padmanaban, Pia Stange, Baris Weber, Andrea Ghirardo, Karin Pritsch, Tanja Karl, J Philipp Benz, Maaria Rosenkranz, Jörg-Peter Schnitzler
{"title":"Strain and contact-dependent metabolomic reprogramming reveals distinct interaction strategies between Laccaria bicolor and Trichoderma.","authors":"Prasath Balaji Sivaprakasam Padmanaban, Pia Stange, Baris Weber, Andrea Ghirardo, Karin Pritsch, Tanja Karl, J Philipp Benz, Maaria Rosenkranz, Jörg-Peter Schnitzler","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00204-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00204-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genus Trichoderma (Hypocreaceae, Ascomycota) compromises over 400 known species, that are found in various soils, on plant surfaces and as plant endophytes. Interactions between the mycoparasitic Trichoderma spp. and beneficial ectomycorrhizal fungi such as Laccaria bicolor (Hydnangiaceae, Basidiomycota) can influence the structure of fungal communities and plant symbioses. In this study, we conducted in vitro dual-culture experiments involving L. bicolor and four Trichoderma strains (T. harzianum WM24a1, MS8a1, ES8g1, and T. atrobrunneum) to analyze their metabolic responses in relation to varying degrees of physical contact. Using integrated analyses of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hyphal metabolomes, and secreted exudates, we uncovered strong contact- and strain-dependent growth inhibition patterns: Trichoderma growth was suppressed under shared headspace, whereas L. bicolor was more strongly inhibited under direct contact. Metabolomic profiling revealed distinct and strain-specific alterations in both VOC and soluble metabolite profiles during co-cultivation, with hundreds of discriminant mass features affected. Key metabolic pathways, including amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, showed differential enrichment depending on the interaction stage and fungal partner. These results demonstrate that Trichoderma-Laccaria interactions are mediated by dynamic, contact-specific chemical reprogramming and suggest that fungal recognition and competition involve coordinated changes in both volatile and non-volatile metabolite production. Our findings provide a foundation for exploring how such antagonistic interactions may influence tripartite communication in plant-associated microbial networks. They also highlight the potential role of both emitted and secreted fungal metabolites in shaping interaction dynamics through putative non-self-recognition mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":"12 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12285104/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144692309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A bibliometric analysis of fungal volatile organic compounds.","authors":"Kustrim Cerimi, Dierk-Christoph Pöther, Stefanie Klar","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00203-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00203-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fungal volatile organic compounds (fVOCs) serve as crucial mediators in ecological interactions and hold significant potential for applications in agriculture and biotechnology. Fungi establish inter-organism communication through volatile molecules, enabling them to regulate plant growth and interact with diverse soil-dwelling organisms. This study integrates a comprehensive literature survey and bibliometric analysis to capture the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of fVOC research, drawing on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases spanning 2000 to 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings highlight the role of fVOCs as essential chemical messengers in inter-organismic communication, their contribution to sustainable agricultural practices as plant growth promoters, and their significance in human sensory perception, particularly in culinary contexts. Our bibliometric analysis of 3,738 publications maps fVOC research trends worldwide using co-occurrence and -citation analyses. The latter uncovered an early research focus on yeast fermentation and antimicrobial activity, which has since expanded to sustainable agriculture, biofumigation, endophytic fungi, and the development of advanced analytical techniques. Emerging research clusters focus on plant-fungus communication, the biotechnological production of aroma compounds, and the influence of fVOCs on human sensory experiences.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The fVOC research field has matured during the last two decades. Promising avenues for future exploration include the improvement of crop resilience, the advancements of eco-friendly technologies, such as biological pest management or VOC-driven fertilisation, and a better understanding of the intricate volatile communication that drives fungal interactions with other kingdoms of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":"12 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12219455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144555689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carsten Wieder, Sarah Galwas, Rainer Wiechert, Kevin Seipp, Alexander Yemelin, Eckhard Thines, Till Opatz, Anja Schüffler
{"title":"Biosynthesis of the Paecilomyces marquandii conidial pigment saintopin.","authors":"Carsten Wieder, Sarah Galwas, Rainer Wiechert, Kevin Seipp, Alexander Yemelin, Eckhard Thines, Till Opatz, Anja Schüffler","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00199-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00199-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Paecilomyces marquandii IBWF 003-21 produces vibrant purple pigmented conidia, the color of which can be attributed to the naphthacenedione natural product saintopin (1). The target compound was previously reported to exhibit potent topoisomerase-inhibitory activity, yet has not been extensively studied nor has the biosynthesis been elucidated. In an effort to elucidate the biosynthesis of 1, we mined the genome of Paecilomyces marquandii for non-reducing polyketide synthases (nrPKS), introduced them into the heterologous host Aspergillus oryzae OP12 and identified a prime candidate for the biosynthesis of 1 we termed stpA. Deletion of stpA in the native producer P. marquandii abolished production of 1, rendering conidia hyaline in color. stpA phylogenetically clusters with clade V nrPKS, canonically requiring trans-acting metallo-β-lactamase-like thioesterases (MβL) for product offloading, however, no MβL is encoded in the vicinity of stpA. Instead, a BLAST-search revealed a single MβL, stpB, encoded elsewhere in the P. marquandii genome, accompanied by a flavin-dependent monooxygenase (FMO), stpC, and an O-methyltransferase, stpD. Heterologous coexpression of stpA and stpC sufficed for reconstituting 1 biosynthesis in A. oryzae OP12 even without additional coexpression of stpB. Coexpression of stpC alongside the decaketide-synthase adaA involved in TAN-1612 biosynthesis also resulted in the production of 1, which implies that the formation of 1 proceeds via a decaketide precursor that is subsequently shortened. While the structure and biosynthesis of 1 are unique compared to other fungal naphthacenediones, further research is necessary to elucidate the elusive mechanism underlying the formation of 1.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":"12 1","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12139152/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144235942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Keya Rani Roy, Zachary Byrd, Michael P Sama, Tyler J Barzee
{"title":"Valorization of bourbon stillage through production of tunable pure mycelium materials.","authors":"Keya Rani Roy, Zachary Byrd, Michael P Sama, Tyler J Barzee","doi":"10.1186/s40694-025-00202-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40694-025-00202-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stillage is a byproduct of distilleries which is rich in organic matter, minerals, and acidic components. It is commonly used as animal feed and has high potential for use as an alternative substrate for microorganisms. Filamentous fungi are saprophytes that can utilize stillage solids to grow as threadlike mycelium. The structure and composition of the filamentous mycelium has shown promise to produce pure mycelium materials (PMM), which might have potential to serve as leather-like or other novel materials with improved environmental impact profiles. Basidiomycota fungi (including true mushrooms) species are presently used in industry to produce PMM due to the ease of suppressing sporulation and encouraging vegetative growth. Other fungal phyla such as Mucoromycota offer benefits of faster growth, but suppression of sporulation is often more difficult. The production of PMM is a relatively new area and sufficient quantitative data is lacking on the effective cultivation and processing steps required to optimize the materials for different potential applications. In this study, a cultivation system capable of producing PMM with solid-state fermentation (SSF) of stillage substrate by Mucoromycota fungus Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus was designed and tested. The influence of important operational parameters on the aerial mycelium growth characteristics was studied including (1) substrate packing density, (2) external support geometry, (3) substrate carbon-to-nitrogen (C: N) ratio, and (4) aerial delivery of additives. The results showed that stillage was a favorable substrate to produce PMM and that the studied operational parameters allowed for effective control of the mycelium fiber length, density, and moisture content. R. oligosporus displayed rapid growth, enhanced 3 to 4 times compared to Basidiomycota fungus Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom). Increasing substrate packing density and the length of external supports was found to encourage development of longer aerial mycelium fibers while aerial delivery of additives was found to have limited effects on fiber length but significantly influenced mycelium density and moisture content. It was also found that the use of unprocessed stillage solids was effective at delaying the sporulation of this Mucoromycota fungus and promoting development of aerial mycelium, which was hypothesized to be related to its natively low C: N ratio. Together, these results indicate promise for the efficient production of tunable PMM from inexpensive organic substrates.</p>","PeriodicalId":52292,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Biology and Biotechnology","volume":"12 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12139296/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144227589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}