Ethnomycology: Traditional and New Uses and Perceptions of Mushrooms and Their Importance for the Future

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Ecological Interactions of Fungi".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 12966

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of wild food and medicinal mushrooms has in recent years reached the public audience, with dozens of blogs and events hosted even on social media focusing on exchanging popular knowledge and experiences in foraging mushrooms and using them, mainly for food and medicine (including psychoactive uses). Nevertheless, ethnomycology has represented so far a neglected areas within the ethnobiological studies, i.e., in those ethnography-based field surveys that investigate the dynamics of Traditional/Local Environmental Knowledge (TEK/LEK) systems linked to mushrooms, as well as the attached traditional and “new” utilizations, especially in local gastronomies and domestic medicines. The current Special Issue will try to fill in this gap, and will particularly welcome contributions on ethnomycology, both in terms of TEK/LEK-based field studies, as well as on the nutraceutical, bio-pharmacological, toxicological and/or technological evaluations of traditionally and newly utilized mushrooms. Moreover, the Special Issue especially invites cross-cultural ethnomycological studies and surveys that describe in depth the changes in the uses and public perceptions of mushrooms, with a specific accent on the role of the new media in popularizing mycology, as well as in educational platforms. Research on historical investigations on fungal species will be particularly welcome as well.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Pieroni
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • ethnomycology
  • ethnobiology
  • traditional food
  • ethnomedicine
  • nutraceuticals
  • pharmacognosy
  • psychoactive mushrooms
  • toxic mushrooms
  • truffles
  • history of cuisine
  • history of medicine
  • social mycology
  • education

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

31 pages, 3919 KiB  
Review
Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review
by Soumitra Paloi, Jaturong Kumla, Barsha Pratiher Paloi, Sirasit Srinuanpan, Supawitch Hoijang, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Krishnendu Acharya, Nakarin Suwannarach and Saisamorn Lumyong
J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010112 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 10600
Abstract
Termite mushrooms have been classified to the genus Termitomyces, family Lyophyllaceae, order Agaricales. These mushrooms form a mutualistic association with termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to [...] Read more.
Termite mushrooms have been classified to the genus Termitomyces, family Lyophyllaceae, order Agaricales. These mushrooms form a mutualistic association with termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties. Additionally, Termitomyces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa. Recent studies on Termitomyces have indicated that their bioactive compounds have the potential to fight against certain human diseases such as cancer, hyperlipidaemia, gastroduodenal diseases, and Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, they possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, different enzymes produced from Termitomyces have the potential to be used in a range of industrial applications. Herein, we present a brief review of the current findings through an overview of recently published literature involving taxonomic updates, diversity, distribution, ethno-medicinal uses, nutritional value, medicinal importance, and industrial implementations of Termitomyces, as well as its socioeconomic importance. Full article
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