Michael Davis
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal properties. Recently, there has been an increased interest in their potential health benefits, with some claiming they are a magic cure-all. Mushrooms are known to contain high amounts of antioxidants and are one of the only good dietary sources of vitamin D. In addition, some mushrooms are being studied for their anti-parasitic properties. For example, oyster mushrooms are known to kill and devour roundworms, while extracts from the Fomitella fraxinea mushroom have been used to protect chickens against coccidiosis-causing parasites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Mushrooms that Kill Parasites | Oyster Mushrooms, Ganoderma sp., Amadou Mushroom, Fomitella fraxinea |
| Types of Parasites Killed | Nematodes, Coccidiosis-causing parasites, Roundworms, Intestinal Parasites |
| Mechanism of Parasite Death | Paralysis and Digestion, Toxins, Volatile Compounds, Nerve Gas, Immune System Activation |
| Applications | Pest Control, Poultry Protection, Medicinal Use, Anti-Parasitic Drugs |
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What You'll Learn
Oyster mushrooms kill worms with a toxin, 3-octanone
Oyster mushrooms are carnivorous and are known to kill and feed on nematodes, a type of worm. They are edible mushrooms, often served at high-end restaurants, with a taste reminiscent of anise or licorice. However, they may not be considered a truly vegan food due to their diet of worms.
Oyster mushrooms use a particular toxin to paralyze and kill the worms before devouring them. This toxin was discovered to be 3-octanone, a nerve gas that is encapsulated in microscopic, lollipop-shaped structures on the mushroom's surface. When a worm touches the mushroom, these structures release their gas, disrupting the normal flow of ions across the worm's cell membranes and causing a huge influx of calcium ions into their nerve and muscle cells, leading to paralysis and death.
The discovery of 3-octanone as the toxic agent was made by a team of researchers at Academia Sinica in Taiwan, who used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the chemicals emitted by the carnivorous mushrooms. They found that the oyster mushrooms emit volatile organic compounds, and when the mushroom tissue was disturbed, the 3-octanone evaporated, making it challenging to identify initially.
Further research on the environmental and physiological factors influencing the development of toxocysts in oyster mushrooms may help scientists understand how to utilize this knowledge for pest control. However, due to the volatility of 3-octanone, it is unlikely to be effective as a pesticide.
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Oyster mushrooms paralyse worms with nerve gas
Oyster mushrooms are edible fungi that are commonly used in cuisines worldwide. However, they have a lesser-known predatory side to them. The fungus that produces oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus, preys on tiny animals, particularly nematodes, which are microscopic roundworms.
Oyster mushrooms paralyse and kill nematodes using a nerve gas called 3-octanone. This nerve gas is encapsulated in lollipop-shaped structures on the mushroom's surface. When a nematode touches the mushroom, these structures release the gas, disrupting the worm's cell membranes and causing a massive influx of calcium ions into their nerve and muscle cells, leading to rapid paralysis and death.
The nerve gas, 3-octanone, is a volatile compound that evaporates quickly when disturbed. It is a relatively common compound in fungi and plants and is frequently used in fragrances and flavours due to its evaporative properties. The discovery of this mechanism has sparked discussions in the vegan community about whether oyster mushrooms are truly vegan, as they prey on and consume nematodes.
The oyster mushroom's ability to paralyse and kill nematodes is an example of the sophisticated interactions within soil ecosystems and the evolutionary adaptations of fungi to their environment. Nematodes are the most abundant animals in the soil, providing an abundant source of protein for fungi. The mushroom's toxic mechanism allows it to defend itself against nematodes and use them as a food source, particularly in nutrient-poor environments.
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Ganoderma mushrooms are a source of anti-parasitic drugs
Mushrooms have been found to be effective against parasites. Oyster mushrooms, for example, kill and devour roundworms, or nematodes, by using a toxin to paralyze them.
Ganoderma mushrooms, also known as reishi or lingzhi mushrooms, are a source of anti-parasitic drugs. They have been used as traditional medicinal mushrooms since ancient times and are considered to be a key source for the production of therapeutic agents. Ganoderma mushrooms have been the subject of extensive research, with over 430 compounds identified. However, only a limited number of these compounds ( <19%; 79 out of >430) have been tested and shown to be active against microorganisms and parasites.
The anti-parasitic properties of Ganoderma mushrooms are attributed to various compounds, including triterpenoids, quinones, polypeptides, small peptides, and polysaccharides. Triterpenoids, for instance, have been shown to possess anti-parasitic activities and have potential in the prevention and treatment of various health issues, including toxoplasmosis and malaria. Farnesyl quinone, a polyketide, is the second most common anti-parasitic compound found in Ganoderma mushrooms.
Further research is needed to fully explore the anti-parasitic potential of Ganoderma mushrooms and identify additional lead compounds. Studies should focus on both identified and unidentified compounds, as well as the potential side effects and molecular mechanisms of these mushrooms. By advancing our understanding of Ganoderma's anti-parasitic properties, we can provide evidence to support its clinical applications and combat the emergence of drug-resistant parasites.
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Mushrooms can be used to treat coccidiosis in poultry
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that affects the intestinal tract of poultry, mainly chickens. It is caused by parasites of the genus Eimeria and Isospora, and results in diarrhoea, weight loss, decreased production, and even death. The economic impact of coccidiosis on the poultry industry is significant, with annual losses amounting to billions of dollars globally.
To combat this issue, researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in the US and their South Korean colleagues have developed a technique that involves injecting lectin extracted from the Fomitella fraxinea mushroom into chicken embryos. This treatment activates the innate immune systems of the chickens, offering significant protection against coccidiosis-associated weight loss and reducing the shedding of live parasites in faeces. The Fomitella fraxinea mushroom is commonly found on black locust tree stumps and has the potential to be commercially produced due to its less stringent preparation conditions.
In addition to the Fomitella fraxinea mushroom, other mushrooms and their extracts have also been explored for their medicinal properties in treating coccidiosis in poultry. For example, polysaccharide extracts from Lentinus edodes and Tremella fuciformes, as well as the herb Astragalus membranaceus, have shown positive effects on the immunity of E. tenella-infected female broilers. These extracts have resulted in improved growth during immunization when compared to non-treated vaccinated birds.
While mushrooms show promise in treating coccidiosis, it is important to exercise caution as they may contain toxic levels of metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as radioactive contamination. Further research and testing are necessary to fully explore the potential of mushrooms in combating this costly and harmful parasitic disease in poultry.
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Mushrooms have been used to kill parasites for thousands of years
In addition to their medicinal properties, mushrooms have also been used to kill parasites in agricultural settings. For example, parasitic Deladenus nematodes are commercially used for their mycophagous phase to control the fungus Amylostereum. However, the fungus has evolved to invade the worms through their vulvae. Other mushrooms, such as Pleurotus ostr, have been studied for their ability to capture and kill worms, providing insight into the intricate predator-prey relationships within soil ecosystems.
One of the most well-studied examples of mushrooms killing parasites is the relationship between oyster mushrooms and nematodes. Oyster mushrooms, a delicacy around the world, exude a toxin that paralyzes and kills nitrogen-rich roundworms, which they then consume. This mechanism is believed to be unique to oyster mushrooms and involves the release of a nerve gas called 3-octanone.
While mushrooms have been used to kill parasites for a long time, further research is needed to fully understand their potential. For instance, out of over 430 compounds identified in Ganoderma sp., less than 19% have been tested for their antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties. Nonetheless, mushrooms have proven to be a valuable resource in the development of therapeutic agents and agricultural pest control.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms can kill parasites. Oyster mushrooms, for example, exude a toxin that paralyzes and kills roundworms.
Oyster mushrooms produce a toxin called 3-octanone, a nerve gas that causes paralysis and death in roundworms.
Dr. Hsueh and her colleagues used UV rays and a mutagen on oyster mushrooms and looked for individuals whose touch did not kill worms. They found that all of these fungal mutants lacked small globes called toxocysts, which they reasoned contained the toxin.
Oyster mushrooms grow on nutrient-poor rotting wood, so they need an alternative source of nitrogen. The worms provide this, as they are nitrogen-rich.
Yes, mushrooms have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Additionally, researchers have developed a technique to control coccidiosis, a parasitic disease in poultry, by introducing mushroom lectins to birds.
