Gréta Törős 1 2, Hassan El-Ramady 3, József Prokisch 1, Fernando Velasco 1, Xhensila Llanaj 1 4, Duyen H H Nguyen 1 4 5, Ferenc Peles 6
Keywords: prebiotics, probiotics, Pleurotus ostreatus polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, lectins, oyster extracts, secondary metabolies
Abstract
Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P. Kumm mushroom contains bioactive compounds with both antimicrobial and prebiotic properties, which are distributed in the mushroom mycelium, fruiting body, and spent substrate. The mushroom is rich in nondigestible carbohydrates like chitin and glucan, which act as prebiotics and support the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria, thereby maintaining a healthy balance of gut microbiota and reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The bioactive compounds in P. ostreatus mushrooms, including polysaccharides (glucans, chitin) and secondary metabolites (phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and lectins), exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities. When mushrooms are consumed, these compounds can help preventing the growth and spread of harmful bacteria in the gut, reducing the risk of infections and the development of antibiotic resistance. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to determine the efficacy of P. ostreatus against different pathogens and to fully comprehend its prebiotic and antimicrobial properties. Overall, consuming a diet rich in mushroom-based foods can have a positive impact on human digestion health. A mushroom-based diet can support a healthy gut microbiome and reduce the need for antibiotics.
Introduction
Champignon mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is the first cultivated and distributed edible mushroom worldwide, closely followed by Pleurotus genus [1]. The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) has great nutritional and medicinal attributes, which make this mushroom to be the second most popular edible and cultivated mushroom in the world after Agaricus bisporus [2]. Among all the several health benefits reported by many numerous published studies [3,4], this mushroom has also shown promising potential for green biotechnology [1,5], biorefinery, and recycling of agro-wastes [6], as well as pharmacological potential and medicinal properties [2,7]. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in extracts and the isolated compounds present in P. ostreatus mushrooms due to their potent antibacterial [2,8,9], antifungal [8], antiviral [2,10,11,12,13,14], antihelmintic [15,16], and pharmacological effects against different microorganisms. Furthermore, there is interest in their potential growth stimulation activity of probiotic bacteria [17,18]. Many of these bioactive compounds play a potential tool in several diseases’ treatment and gut microbiota modulation, so they are considered to be functional food and medicine ingredients. The literature data indicate that the P. ostreatus mushroom contains a high range of phytochemicals with antimicrobial and prebiotic functions, like alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolic components [19], glycosides, and terpenoids [20,21]. Interestingly, a positive correlation has been found between phenols and the regulatory effect of probiotics, which results in the promotion of a healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut [22].
The gut microbiota comprises different communities of microorganisms (>1000 microbial species; mostly nonpathogenic) in the human gut whose composition could be manipulated by diet, among other factors [23]. Microbes in the gut are the key to several aspects of human health and disease such as cardiometabolic diseases [24], type 2 diabetes [7], obesity [25], psychiatric disorders [26], non-alcoholic liver disease [27], inflammatory bowel disease [27], and malnutrition [28]. The microbiome of the human gut can play a crucial role in several human functions including producing essential metabolites, digestion, and immune system development [29]. Several edible mushrooms are still an unexploited treasure trove of prebiotic potential and bioactive compounds, as well as positive impacts on the immune system [29].
Overall, the P. ostreatus mushroom boasts notable health benefits, including antimicrobial properties and the ability to act as a prebiotic to enhance gut microbiota. This review article highlights the potential roles of the oyster mushroom (P. ostreatus) and its antimicrobial and prebiotic activities. The review discusses the role of P. ostreatus in modulating the gut microbiota and the importance of gut microbiota for human health. The manuscript will delve into the difference between prebiotics and probiotics.