In general, edible EEMs constitute a group that has been understudied in terms of
their bioactive compounds, despite the fact that they can constitute an important
source of novel bioactive compounds useful for human health and fitness. Some
of these bioactive compounds have been only found in this particular group of
mushrooms due to their peculiar ecophysiological symbiotic character with trees.
The aim of this chapter is to present a review of the edible ectomycorrhizal species
and the bioactive compounds that have been isolated from them, having analgesic,
antiallergic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antipyretic, antivenom,
antiviral (including anti-HIV), cholesterol-lowering, hepatoprotective, and immune
enhancement properties. Additionally, some insecticide and allelophatic compounds
with potential application to control agricultural plagues and weeds found in edible
EEMs are also reviewed. Finally, some information related with the limitations and
potential perspectives for industrial production of these bioactive compounds,
including the initial advances of cultivation of edible EEMs, for example in commercial plantations of truffles or broth cultures, and the importance of commercial
picking of these mushrooms worldwide, as a very important non-wood forest
product, for sustainable development and alleviation of global change is analyzed.
6.2 Bioactive Compounds with Medical or Nutraceutical
Importance
Traditionally, edible EEMs have been highly appreciated due to their well-known
nutritional value attributed to high levels of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins
and minerals, and low fat levels. Some of these mushrooms have also been used by
ancient cultures to increase human longevity and life quality, due to their
medicinal and nutraceutical properties (Chang and Buswell 1996; Lindequist et al.
2005; Yu-cheng et al. 2009; Ferreira et al. 2010; Wasser 2011; Patel and Goyal
2012; Rathee et al. 2012; Stachowiak 2012). Currently, there is an increasing
industrial interest in them as potential biofabrics, because they are an important
potential source of novel bioactive compounds used as medicine or nutraceuticals
(Table 6.2). One of the most important properties of edible wild mushrooms, is
their contents of antioxidant compounds which has received recently some
attention because of their great importance to reduce the negative effects of
degenerative diseases in general (Barros et al. 2007c; Ferreira et al. 2009; Heleno
et al. 2010; Preeti et al. 2012; Fernandes et al. 2013).
6.2.1 Antitumor and Immunostimulating
Cancer is a disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow in an
uncontrolled way, forming tumors and invading nearby parts of the body. There are
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J. Pérez-Moreno and M. Martínez-Reyes
their bioactive compounds, despite the fact that they can constitute an important
source of novel bioactive compounds useful for human health and fitness. Some
of these bioactive compounds have been only found in this particular group of
mushrooms due to their peculiar ecophysiological symbiotic character with trees.
The aim of this chapter is to present a review of the edible ectomycorrhizal species
and the bioactive compounds that have been isolated from them, having analgesic,
antiallergic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antipyretic, antivenom,
antiviral (including anti-HIV), cholesterol-lowering, hepatoprotective, and immune
enhancement properties. Additionally, some insecticide and allelophatic compounds
with potential application to control agricultural plagues and weeds found in edible
EEMs are also reviewed. Finally, some information related with the limitations and
potential perspectives for industrial production of these bioactive compounds,
including the initial advances of cultivation of edible EEMs, for example in commercial plantations of truffles or broth cultures, and the importance of commercial
picking of these mushrooms worldwide, as a very important non-wood forest
product, for sustainable development and alleviation of global change is analyzed.
6.2 Bioactive Compounds with Medical or Nutraceutical
Importance
Traditionally, edible EEMs have been highly appreciated due to their well-known
nutritional value attributed to high levels of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins
and minerals, and low fat levels. Some of these mushrooms have also been used by
ancient cultures to increase human longevity and life quality, due to their
medicinal and nutraceutical properties (Chang and Buswell 1996; Lindequist et al.
2005; Yu-cheng et al. 2009; Ferreira et al. 2010; Wasser 2011; Patel and Goyal
2012; Rathee et al. 2012; Stachowiak 2012). Currently, there is an increasing
industrial interest in them as potential biofabrics, because they are an important
potential source of novel bioactive compounds used as medicine or nutraceuticals
(Table 6.2). One of the most important properties of edible wild mushrooms, is
their contents of antioxidant compounds which has received recently some
attention because of their great importance to reduce the negative effects of
degenerative diseases in general (Barros et al. 2007c; Ferreira et al. 2009; Heleno
et al. 2010; Preeti et al. 2012; Fernandes et al. 2013).
6.2.1 Antitumor and Immunostimulating
Cancer is a disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow in an
uncontrolled way, forming tumors and invading nearby parts of the body. There are
158
J. Pérez-Moreno and M. Martínez-Reyes