Exploring the Potential of Brazil’s Wild Mushrooms

Did you know Brazil is home to more than 80 species of wild mushrooms that can be delicious and even medicinal? Scientists decided to explore two of these species, Auricularia fuscosuccinea and Laetiporus gilbertsonii, to see if they could be grown in a lab and turn into a yummy, nutritious food source. They started by growing the fungi’s mycelium—that’s the thread-like part—in different temperatures and on various substances.The researchers found that A. fuscosuccinea likes to grow at 30°C, while L. gilbertsonii preferred both 25°C and 30°C. Both mushrooms grew best on sterile Eucalyptus sawdust. Even though they succeeded in growing L. gilbertsonii’s mycelium, they couldn’t get it to produce its fruiting body, called a basidioma. However, they had more luck with A. fuscosuccinea, managing to grow basidiomas from two wild strains. When they checked the nutritional value of these basidiomas, they found that these wild mushrooms could be a great addition to any diet. It’s like finding a hidden treasure in the forests of Brazil!