Edible mushrooms are characterized by high contents of proteins and dietary fiber, low contents of fat and sugar, and contain a variety of bioactive substances. Previous studies have shown that edible mushrooms have various health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, lipid-lowering, antihyperglycemic, anti-viral, and anti-cancer effects. Thus, edible mushrooms have been recognized as healthy foods by nutritionists and gained increasing research attention in recent decades. It is also well-known that gut microbiota plays a vital role in maintaining human health. Emerging evidence suggests that food components, such as proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, dietary fibers, etc., can influence the composition and function of gut microbiota. In turn, nutrients or bioactive components of foods are degraded by gut microbiota into short-chain fatty acids and/or other metabolites with health benefits. However, little is known about the reciprocal interaction between nutrients or bioactive components in edible mushrooms and gut microbiota.
This research topic focuses on the interaction between edible mushroom nutrients or bioactive components and gut microbiota, especially how the components of edible mushrooms regulate gut microbiota, how gut microbiota metabolize the components of edible mushrooms, and the related health implications. Understanding these scientific issues can help discover prebiotics and develop functional foods from edible mushrooms for the prevention and treatment of gut microbiota-related diseases.
In this research topic, we welcome Original Research, Reviews, and Commentaries that include, but are not limited to the following sub-topics:
- Extraction, structural identification, chemical characterization of edible mushroom nutrients or bioactive substances and their impacts on gut microbiota;
- Gut microbiota-derived metabolites of edible mushroom components and their health effects;
- Development of functional foods with edible mushrooms as the main ingredients, and characterization of their potential to improve gut microbiota.
Edible mushrooms are characterized by high contents of proteins and dietary fiber, low contents of fat and sugar, and contain a variety of bioactive substances. Previous studies have shown that edible mushrooms have various health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, lipid-lowering, antihyperglycemic, anti-viral, and anti-cancer effects. Thus, edible mushrooms have been recognized as healthy foods by nutritionists and gained increasing research attention in recent decades. It is also well-known that gut microbiota plays a vital role in maintaining human health. Emerging evidence suggests that food components, such as proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, dietary fibers, etc., can influence the composition and function of gut microbiota. In turn, nutrients or bioactive components of foods are degraded by gut microbiota into short-chain fatty acids and/or other metabolites with health benefits. However, little is known about the reciprocal interaction between nutrients or bioactive components in edible mushrooms and gut microbiota.
This research topic focuses on the interaction between edible mushroom nutrients or bioactive components and gut microbiota, especially how the components of edible mushrooms regulate gut microbiota, how gut microbiota metabolize the components of edible mushrooms, and the related health implications. Understanding these scientific issues can help discover prebiotics and develop functional foods from edible mushrooms for the prevention and treatment of gut microbiota-related diseases.
In this research topic, we welcome Original Research, Reviews, and Commentaries that include, but are not limited to the following sub-topics:
- Extraction, structural identification, chemical characterization of edible mushroom nutrients or bioactive substances and their impacts on gut microbiota;
- Gut microbiota-derived metabolites of edible mushroom components and their health effects;
- Development of functional foods with edible mushrooms as the main ingredients, and characterization of their potential to improve gut microbiota.
