Morphology of Four Strains of Phellinoid Agaricomycetes and Microstructural and Physiological Properties of Their Exudates

Abstract

To study and compare the morphology of the phellinoid Agaricomycetes strains and find other strategies to improve <i>Phellinus</i> spp. growth and metabolism. In this study, the morphological characteristics of four <i>Phellinus igniarius</i> strains (phellinoid Agaricomycetes) were observed under a light microscope. The exudates from these fungi were observed using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The exudates were initially transparent with a water-like appearance, and became darker with time at neutral pH. Microscopy of air-dried exudates revealed regular shapes and crystals. Cl<sup>-</sup> (chloride) and K<sup>+</sup> were the two key elements analyzed using EDS. Polyphenol oxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and laccase activities were detected in mycelia from each of the four <i>Phellinus</i> strains. The K<sup>+</sup> content of the three strains was higher than that of the wild strain. Cl<sup>-</sup> content correlated negatively with that of K<sup>+</sup>. Laccase activities associated with each mycelia and its corresponding media differed under cold and contaminated conditions.