Mushrooms are traditionally used in folk medicine in Slavic and Asian countries, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the contemporary scientific research wild−growing mushrooms contain many secondary metabolites of medicinal potential. These compounds were isolated both from mushroom fruiting bodies and mycelium. Many of these bioactive substances exhibit antibacterial, anti−oxidative, and anti−inflammatory properties. They have also anti−neoplastic, anti−diabetic, and anti−atherosclerotic activity. Mushroom metabolites include polysaccharides, sesquiterpens and triterpenoids which demonstrate anti−cancer and immunostimulatory activity. Moreover, wild−growing mushrooms contain natural antibiotics and antioxidants. Mushroom species exhibit different antibacterial activity. It was found that mushroom extracts are more effective against Gram−positive than Gram−negative bacteria. Mushroom species vary significantly in their content of antioxidants. The main group of mushroom antioxidants are polyphenols, i.e. phenolic acids and flavonoids. Anti−oxidative potential of mushrooms is strongly correlated with the content of these compounds. Such species as Boletus edulis and Cantharellus cibarius demonstrate especially high antioxidant activity. Another group of antioxidants are tocopherols, carotenoids and ascorbic acid. Lectins isolated from wild−growing mushroom include polysaccharide−protein and polysaccharide−peptide complexes. They exhibit mainly antineoplastic and antiviral effect. Nowadays wild growing mushrooms are treated as a source of secondary metabolites, which can potentially be used in food, pharmacological and cosmetic industries. This paper reviews the latest scientific reports on bioactive substances identified in edible wild−growing mushrooms occurring in Poland.
The white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach is an edible mushroom of top economic significance. In recent years the consumption of fruiting bodies of this species has been increasing in Poland. The article characterises the chemical composition and health-promoting properties of white button mushrooms. The latest scientific research confirms that the fruiting bodies of white button mushroom have high nutritional value. They contain good quality proteins, necessary unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, some vitamins and numerous minerals. Apart from that, white button mushroom fruiting bodies contain a wide range of bioactive substances, which have a positive influence on health, such as polysaccharides, glycoproteins, tocopherols, polyphenols and other antioxidants, e.g. ergothioneine. Apart from the antioxidant properties, the white button mushroom also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and anti-atherosclerotic activities.