Increased heavy metal pollution generated through anthropogenic activities into the environment required the need for environmental recovery strategies, such as mycoremediation. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of iron (Fe) in the mycelial growth of Pleurotus ostreatoroseus Singer and Lentinus sajor-caju (Fr.) Fr. The growth response was evaluated on Potato Dextrose Agar medium with varying concentrations (0 ppm, 10 ppm, 20 ppm, 40 ppm and 80 ppm) of the iron metal. Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4.7H2O) were evaluated in this study. The daily mycelia growths were measured and compared. The biomass production was determined using the same plates of the evaluation of the growth of mycelia. Results revealed that the growth of mycelia of P. ostreatoroseus occurs slowly in medium containing different iron concentrations, but in relationship to L. sajor-caju was able to produce the largest mycelial dry mass. Overall this study suggests that P. ostreatosroseus can be used as promising option for removal of iron metal in bioremediation strategies.

Pleurotus spp. are considered extremely rich mushroom species from the nutritional point of view, providing immune-enhancement effects when consumed. However, few mushrooms have been tested for their phenotypic and genotypic responses in animal models to ensure the proper dosage for their use. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two mushroom species on the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster. Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer and Lentinus sajor-caju (Fr.) Fr. were provided separately, in specific concentrations, as feed supplements to the fruit flies. The total numbers of developed larvae, pupae, and adults were then measured for each treatment. Inter simple sequence repeats marker analysis was carried out to infer genotypic changes in the mushroom-fed flies. Our results suggest that Pleurotus spp. can cause positive changes to the flies' reproductive capacity, since Pleurotus citrinopileatus in particular accelerated the life cycle and revealed a higher genetic dissimilarity of the diet-supplemented flies.