2025
A review of wild edible and medicinal mushrooms in Sri Lanka: Systematic exploration and industrial applications
Premarathne BM, Galappaththi MCA, Patabendige NM, Karunarathna SC, Wijayawardene NN, Dayasena YAPK, Kumara KLW, Wijesundara DSA, Ediriweera A, Madawala S
MycoAsia 2025/01. [Article Link]
Abstract: Sri Lanka’s varied ecosystems, climate, geography, and soils support a rich fungal diversity. Despite the recording of ≈ 53 species of edible wild mushrooms, only a few are popular among the local populace. The global significance of wild mushrooms to livelihoods is well-known, yet this potential remains largely unexplored in Sri Lanka. Additionally, there is a lack of studies on the edibility and medicinal value of wild mushrooms in the region. This review compiles available literature on Sri Lanka’s edible wild mushrooms, highlighting their characteristics and potential industrial uses. The study delves into nutritional profiles, bioactive compounds, and traditional uses of these mushrooms, emphasizing their importance in local diets and traditional medicine. Furthermore, it explores the possibilities of integrating wild mushrooms into various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and agriculture. Additionally, the review identifies several underutilized species with high nutritional value, which could be promoted as alternative food sources to enhance dietary diversity and food security in Sri Lanka. The significance of this study lies in its potential to bridge the existing knowledge gap, providing a better understanding of the untapped potential of these mushrooms and stimulating further research and industrial exploitation. The findings emphasize the need for sustainable harvesting practices and conservation efforts to protect these valuable fungal resources. Moreover, promoting the cultivation and commercialization of wild mushrooms could enhance food security, contribute to rural livelihoods, and drive economic development in Sri Lanka.
Plain Language Summary: Sri Lanka is home to many edible wild mushrooms, but their potential remains largely untapped. Despite a rich diversity, only a few species are popular locally, and there’s a significant lack of research into their nutritional and medicinal benefits. This review compiles existing knowledge, highlighting their traditional uses and potential for industries like pharmaceuticals. Promoting the sustainable harvesting and cultivation of these underutilized mushrooms could enhance food security, support rural livelihoods, and boost Sri Lanka’s economy. The study emphasizes the need for further research and conservation to fully realize the value of these fungal resources.
Molecular characterization and identification of marine yeasts from coastal and offshore regions in the southeastern Arabian Sea
Vijaya Bhaskar Y, Sravani M, Srinivas TNR, Anil Kumar P, Bhumika V, Shenoy BD
MycoAsia 2025/02. [Article Link]
Abstract: This study investigates the diversity and distribution of marine yeasts in southeastern Arabian Sea, focusing on coastal and offshore regions. Yeast strains were identified through ITS and D1/D2 domain rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Microscopic analysis was performed to examine budding patterns and cell morphology. A total of 45 yeast strains were isolated from water samples collected at various depths from locations, including Kochi, Kollam, Trivandrum, Rameswaram, and the coastal waters of the Lakshadweep Islands (Minicoy, Kalpeni, and Kavaratti). Morphologically, the yeast strains were predominantly oval to rod-shaped and clustered into six clades: Debaryomyces, Kodamaea, Meyerozyma, Starmerella (Ascomycota), Rhodotorula and Sterigmatomyces (Basidiomycota). Notably, Starmerella strains were the most abundant, particularly in coastal waters. Among them, S. etchellsii and M. caribbica exhibited significant dry weight and protein concentrations, ranging from 13.9% to 65.1%. This study expands the limited knowledge of marine yeast diversity in Indian waters and provides insights into their molecular identification and potential biotechnological applications.
Plain Language Summary: Scientists explored yeast diversity in the southeastern Arabian Sea, collecting 45 strains from coastal and offshore waters, including the Lakshadweep Islands. Using genetic sequencing, they identified six main groups. The most common yeast was Starmerella, especially in coastal areas. Two particular species were found to be rich in protein, indicating their potential value for biotechnology. This research expands our limited knowledge of marine yeasts in Indian waters and highlights their promise for future industrial applications, providing a valuable molecular inventory of these microscopic fungi from this understudied marine environment.
The assessment of apple pomace as a basic substrate and a nutrient supplement for Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation in Bhutan
Thinley K, Kumata A, Dorji, Dukp C
MycoAsia 2025/03. [Article Link]
Abstract: This study assessed the potential of using apple pomace waste as a substrate and nutrient for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation. Paddy straw, a common substrate for P. ostreatus in Bhutan, was used as a control. In the case of using apple pomace as a substrate, the yield of 120 g/bottle in two strains was statistically more significant than the control (α = 0.01), achieving yield-increase ratios of 50 % and 36 % compared to the control substrate yields of 80 g/bottle and 88 g/bottle in each strain. The yield from 135 tons of apple pomace wasted by a company in a year in Bhutan was estimated to be 39 tons, using a 29 % yield conversion rate per unit weight of apple pomace. The waste from the used substrate of apple pomace was calculated at 71 tons in wet weight, and the waste-reduction ratio of apple pomace was 47 % due to P. ostreatus cultivation. In the case of using apple pomace as a nutrient for paddy straw substrate, 124 g/bottle and 119 g/bottle of yield in the 4 % supplementation substrate were statistically more significant than 101 g/bottle and 104 g/bottle of the control without supplementation (α = 0.05), representing yield-increase ratios of 23 % and 14 % compared to the control substrate for each strain. If 135 tons/year of apple pomace were used as a 4 % nutrient for paddy straw substrate, it is estimated that an annual harvest of 1,001 tons could be achieved using a 33 % yield conversion rate and 3,034 tons of substrate quantity. It was not observed to reduce the commercial value of fruiting bodies in both methods of using the basic substrate and nutrient for paddy straw substrate. It was concluded that both methods of utilizing apple pomace waste were practical for P. ostreatus cultivation and efficient in reducing waste quantity.
Plain Language Summary: This study found a productive new use for apple waste (pomace) in Bhutan by using it to cultivate oyster mushrooms. Researchers tested apple pomace both as a primary growing medium and as a nutrient supplement to the traditional paddy straw. Both methods significantly boosted mushroom yields—by up to 50% when used as the main substrate. This innovative approach not only increases food production but also effectively recycles agricultural waste, cutting the pomace volume by nearly half. The findings show a practical, commercially viable way to turn waste into a valuable resource.
Comparison of physiological and cultivation characteristics of wild strains Nameko (Pholiota microspora) from Bhutan and Japanese commercial spawn
Kumata A, Gurung R, Pradhan S, Thinley K, Dorji, Dukpa C, Kaneko S
MycoAsia 2025/04. [Article Link]
Abstract: Wild fruiting bodies of Pholiota microspora (Berk.) Sacc., commonly known as nameko, were collected from five locations in western Bhutan at altitudes ranging from 1,769 to 3,100 m between 2018–2022. Morphological and microscopic observations of the specimens submitted to the national herbarium revealed no clear basis for subspecies differentiation. To support the development of domestic cultivation and potential overseas marketing of nameko in Bhutan, eight Bhutanese wild strains isolated from these specimens were evaluated and statistically compared with two Japanese commercial strains. The aim was to assess their industrial applicability and gather key traits for breeding strategies. The Bhutanese wild strains exhibited notable diversity in cap and stem coloration as well as in mycelial growth characteristics. Unlike the Japanese strains, none of the Bhutanese strains exhibited the formation of abnormal dedikaryotized flat sectors under incubation at 25 °C and 30 °C, a phenomenon known to negatively impact cultivation stability. All Bhutanese strains displayed bipolar mating systems and were capable of mating with Japanese strains, suggesting strong potential as breeding material to address the genetic bottleneck caused by the reliance on a single ancestral strain in Japan’s air-conditioned nameko cultivation. All tested wild strains successfully formed fruiting bodies on sawdust substrate and tended to exhibit early fruiting. Two strains that showed yields comparable to Japanese strains and significantly earlier harvest times were selected as candidates for practical cultivation in Bhutan. These findings indicate that selective breeding from wild fruiting bodies represents a highly effective and accessible strategy for developing commercially viable nameko strains suited to Bhutanese agriculture and beyond.
Plain Language Summary: Scientists in Bhutan explored the potential of local wild nameko mushrooms for commercial farming. They collected specimens from various altitudes and compared eight Bhutanese strains to two commercial Japanese strains. The local strains showed great diversity and were more stable at warmer temperatures, a key advantage for cultivation. They could also be cross-bred with Japanese strains, offering valuable genetic material. Two wild strains grew successfully on sawdust, producing yields similar to commercial varieties but in less time. This research provides a highly effective strategy for developing new, locally-adapted mushroom strains to boost Bhutan’s agricultural industry.
Myxomycetes within the scope of the Island Biogeography Theory
Steven L. Stephenson, Carlos Rojas
MycoAsia 2025/05. [Article Link]
Abstract: Myxomycete data compiled from twelve different investigations on oceanic islands in different parts of the world were analyzed. The objective was to contextualize the potential application of some theoretical insights on the interpretation of the mechanisms responsible for the distribution of myxomycetes. Results presented herein suggest that island age could be a factor of importance in the distribution of myxomycetes, as proposed by current models of island biogeography. In general, tropical/ subtropical islands have a more similar myxobiota than islands in temperate/ subantarctic environments, which can be related to the high dispersal capability of common morphospecies and greater availability of substrate types in the tropical ecosystems. The observed species-to-genus ratios were highly overestimated by comparison with a known probabilistic model, which may support the idea of long-distance dispersal on islands as a primary mechanism of colonization.
Plain Language Summary: By analyzing data from twelve oceanic islands, scientists studied how slime molds (myxomycetes) are distributed across the globe. They found that the age of an island plays a role in its slime mold community. Tropical islands tend to have more similar species compared to those in colder climates, likely due to better dispersal conditions and more available habitat. The evidence strongly supports the idea that slime molds are excellent long-distance travelers, capable of crossing vast oceans to colonize isolated islands. This research helps confirm general theories about how life spreads to remote locations.
Studies of Nivicolous Myxomycetes
Steven L. Stephenson
MycoAsia 2025/06. [Artilce Link]
Abstract: During the period from 1985 until 2006, the author had the opportunity to collect and study nivicolous (“snowbank”) myxomycetes in the northern Rocky Mountains, the Himalayan Mountains of northwestern India, the Southern Alps of New Zealand, and the mountains (including Mount Kosciuszko) of southwestern Australia. Members of this ecological group of myxomycetes are largely restricted to alpine areas of mountains, where they are found fruiting along the margins of melting snowbanks in late spring and early summer. He also notes two atypical occurrences of nivicolous myxomycetes.
Plain Language Summary: Over two decades, a researcher collected and studied “snowbank” slime molds (myxomycetes), a unique group of organisms found only in high-altitude environments. These slime molds appear along the edges of melting snow in late spring and early summer. The fieldwork spanned mountain ranges across the globe, including the Rocky Mountains, the Indian Himalayas, and the Southern Alps of New Zealand and Australia. In addition to observing them in their typical alpine habitats, the author also documented two unusual occurrences of these snow-loving organisms in unexpected locations, providing a comprehensive global perspective.
The assessment of Pinus wallichiana sawdust as a basic medium for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus
Dorji1, Atsushi Kumata1, 2, *, Karma Thinley1, Tshering Choki1, Chencho Dukpa1
MycoAsia 2025/07. [Article Link]
Abstract: To assess the suitability of pine sawdust as a substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus, we prepared a control medium of paddy straw with 17 % wheat bran and test media with pine sawdust mixed at ratios of 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, and 100 %. The fruiting body yield from all pine sawdust mixtures was lower than the control yields, which were 197 g/bottle for strain A and 160 g/bottle for strain B. Yield showed a strong negative correlation with the increasing proportion of pine sawdust (R2=0.9694 and R2=0.9473, respectively). Using this correlation, we calculated that a 40 % pine sawdust mixture would produce a yield comparable to that reported for standard paddy straw media used in Bhutan. The cultivation time from inoculation to harvest was longer for all pine sawdust treatments compared to the controls (51 days for strain A and 50 days for strain B). This period showed a strong positive correlation with the proportion of pine sawdust (R2=0.9662 and R2=0.9786, respectively). The correlation equation predicted that a 40 % pine sawdust mixture would delay the harvest by 16–17 days compared to the control. No significant correlation was observed between the pileus and stipe dimensions and the proportion of pine sawdust. Furthermore, no differences in colour or morphology were observed, even in the 100 % pine sawdust treatment. Therefore, the inclusion of pine sawdust did not diminish the commercial value of the mushrooms based on their physical appearance. We conclude that a pine sawdust ratio of up to 40 % can be practically applied to supplement a substrate of paddy straw and 17 % wheat bran.
Plain Language Summary: The authors studied if pine sawdust can be used to grow oyster mushrooms. They compared mushrooms grown on standard paddy straw (control) to those grown on mixtures with 25% to 100% pine sawdust. Two main trade-offs were found: First, adding more pine sawdust significantly decreased the amount of mushrooms harvested. Second, it increased the time it took for the mushrooms to grow (by 16–17 days for a 40% mix). However, the mushrooms grown on pine sawdust looked normal in shape and color, so their commercial value was not affected. The authors conclude that growers can practically use a substrate containing up to 40 % pine sawdust.