Edible and medicinal fungi are very rich in China. With the continuous deepening research on their species diversity and phylogeny, their species name and taxonomic status are continuously updated. Some species previously reported in China have found to be not existent in China. Some species have proved to be complex species or cryptic species. Previously, the edible and medicinal fungi in China were usually reported in the form of species checklist, and their taxonomic status and species composition were not clearly demonstrated. This article updates the checklist of edible and medicinal fungi in China in the form of species cataloging, with demonstration of their taxonomic status, based on the latest research results. A total of 1 495 species is recorded, belonging to 2 phyla, 10 classes, 29 orders, 115 families, and 353 genera. Among them, 1 013 species are edible, 744 medicinal and 262 simultaneously edible and medicinal. Of which, 33.1% of the species are previously unreported or taxonomically revised. It was found that edible fungi were dominated by species of Agaricales (44%), Russulales (16%) and Boletales (13%) of the Agaricomycetes, as well as Pezizales (6%) of the Pezizomycetes; medicinal fungi were dominated by species of Agaricales (35%), Polyporales (19%), Hymenochaetales (11%), Russulales (7%) and Boletales (7%) of the Agaricomycetes and Hypocreales (6%) of the Sordariomycetes.

Database/Dataset Profile

China is a large country in the production of edible fungi. In order to further enhance the industrial innovation ability, increasing the basic research on edible fungi is the key breakthrough point. In recent years, with the rapid development of biotechnology, omics-drive research on edible fungi has shifted from phenotype description to systematic mechanism analysis. The application of single omics technology has achieved extensive progress in the genetic basis, gene regulation, protein dynamics, metabolic pathways, and phenotypic analysis of edible fungi. However, the problems of one-sided and fragmented data of single omics can be addressed only through integrated analysis of multi-omics. Therefore, multi-omics technology has gradually become the core driver for the paradigm shift in research on genetic breeding of edible fungi. Although the current research still faces challenges such as data quality, functional verification, computing resources, and integration complexity, future researches should focus on innovations in underlying technologies, AI-driven approaches, cross-scale integration, the construction of resource platforms, etc. Continued promotion of deep integration and innovative application of multi-omics will facilitate high-quality development of the industry of edible fungi, thereby meeting the needs of food security and public health.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a multifactorial malignancy closely linked to environmental risk factors. Ochratoxin A (OTA), a widely distributed mycotoxin, has been classified as a probable human carcinogen. This study systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying OTA-induced gastric carcinogenesis. For the first time, through an integrated approach combining network toxicology, machine learning, and Mendelian randomization analysis, four key pathogenic genes (ESR1, GSK3β, MET, and MMP2) were identified and validated. The research further clarifies how OTA disrupts hormone signaling, metabolic homeostasis, and the tumor immune microenvironment, thereby driving cancer development through multi-pathway synergy. Notably, GSK3β was genetically confirmed for the first time to have a causal relationship with gastric cancer. These gene markers play a central regulatory role in gastric carcinogenesis and demonstrate significant diagnostic potential, providing novel biomarkers and a theoretical foundation for risk prediction and targeted intervention in OTA-associated gastric cancer.

Anhui Province is located in the transitional region between the warm temperate zone and the subtropical zone in eastern China. Its complex terrain and diverse climate have fostered abundant macrofungal resources. Systematic surveys and sampling of macrofungi in Guniujiang, Dabie Mountain, Huangshan, and Mazongling mountainous areas in the province were conducted. Species identification and taxonomic statistics were carried out based on combining morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. A total of 2 682 specimens was collected, belonging to 2 phyla, 8 classes, 25 orders, 95 families, 280 genera, and 922 species. Among them, 23 families including Russulaceae, Boletaceae, Amanitaceae, Polyporaceae, Agaricaceae, and Entolomataceae are dominant. Dominant genera totaled 42, including Russula, Amanita, Entoloma, Lactarius, Marasmius, and Inocybe. There are 68 species of edible fungi, 57 species of medicinal fungi, 78 species of poisonous fungi, 60 species of edible and medicinal dual-purpose fungi, and 24 species of simultaneously medicinal and toxic fungi. Funga analysis revealed that cosmopolitan genera, northern temperate genera, and tropical-subtropical genera were the dominant components. This study provides fundamental data supporting taxonomic statistics, ecological conservation, and industrial development of regional fungal resources.

Guizhou Province, located in the eastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, has complex topography and a warm, humid climate, providing high potential for fungal diversity. However, lignicolous macro-basidiomycetes in this region lacked systematic assessment for a long time. A comprehensive compilation of lignicolous macro-basidiomycetes in Guizhou was conducted based on specimen records of four investigation teams and recently published literature. A total of 738 species were recorded, belonging to 3 classes, 16 orders, 74 families, and 253 genera within Basidiomycota. The dominant class is Agaricomycetes, with the sum of species accounting for 97.15% of all known lignicolous macro-basidiomycetes species in Guizhou. The dominant orders are Polyporales, Agaricales, and Hymenochaetales, and the sum of species accounts for 81.44% (601 species) of all lignicolous macro-basidiomycetes in Guizhou. The ten dominant families include 391 species, accounting for 52.98% of total known species. The eleven dominant genera consist of 202 species, accounting for 27.37% of the total known species. Additionally, 48 species are described on the basis of holotype or paratype collected from Guizhou. This is the first province-level systematic overview of lignicolous macro-basidiomycetes in Guizhou Province.

Phylogenetic relationships and the characteristics of CAZy extracellular degradative enzymes of edible and medicinal fungi, were analyzed based on annotated proteins from 14 strains of edible and medicinal fungi. By combining gene functions with substrate degradation capabilities, the degradation attributes of CAZy extracellular secretory enzymes in relation to substrates such as lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, chitin, and starch were inferred. The phylogenetic analysis results showed that truffles and morels belonging to the Ascomycota, clustered into one branch, while the remaining strains belonging to the Basidiomycota clustered into another, being consistent with the fungal classification framework and supporting their early evolutionary status. Analysis of extracellular CAZy degradation enzymes showed that the top three strains with the highest quantity of such enzymes were Auricularia subglabra, A. cornea, and Pleurotus ostreatus, whereas the bottom three were Tricholoma matsutake, Tuber borchii, and T. melanosporum. The arrangement of strains based on the quantity of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from high to low was: Auricularia subglabra, A. cornea, Volvariella volvacea, Pleurotus ostreatu, Ganoderma sinense, G. leucocontextum, Agaricus bisporus, Flammulina filiformis ym5, Morchella sextelata, Flammulina filiformis wm14, Morchella conica, Tricholoma matsutake, Tuber borchii, and T. melanosporum. This study aims at providing preliminary reference for subsequent development of cultivation substrate formulations and ecological adaptability studies for these edible and medicinal fungi.

The pomelo (Citrus maxima) is one of the most important cultivated fruit trees in the genus Citrus of the Rutaceae. It has a long cultivation history and great economic value in China. In recent years, a pomelo disease locally called “red flower blight” has been discovered in Pinghe County of Fujian Province, the largest pomelo production area in China. It could cause new shoot blight, rotting and reddening of the flower buds and petals of the variety “Guanximiyou”, ultimately leading to flower and fruit drop. In the seriously infected orchards, over 80% of fruitlets dropped. The disease has been spreading from mountainous areas to plains, with affected orchard areas expanding year by year. Based on the disease symptoms, it was speculated to be post-bloom fruit drop (PFD), a citrus disease reported in South America and Florida. However, there are still some differences in host range and infected organs between this disease and PFD. From the infected specimens, orange powdery substances and conidia resembling to Colletotrichum acutatum were observed. Five single-spore isolates showing identical colonial morphology were obtained. Based on the morphological characteristics, multi-loci (ACT, CHS-1, GAPDH, HIS3, ITS and TUB2) phylogenetic analysis, and pathogenicity test, the causal agent was identified as C. fioriniae in C. acutatum species complex. Given that this disease has only been found on pomelo so far, affecting not only flowers but also young shoots and fruits, and the pathogen differs from that of PFD and common anthracnose, this disease is named as “pomelo anthracnose”. This is the first report of C. fioriniae as a pathogen infecting citrus and causing anthracnose. The accurate identification of the pathogen provides a scientific basis for precise control of the disease.

The informal term ‘dahongjun' or ‘big red mushroom' is a group of red-coloured russulas widely collected and consumed in southern China, originally mistakenly recognized as the European Russula vinosa. Russula griseocarnosa was described from China in 2009, and since then, it has become the only available scientific name for ‘dahongjun'. Nevertheless, several lineages exist within this complex, and whether these lineages represent real species is still an open question. Sampling in major producing areas of ‘dahongjun' and phylogenetic species recognition using multi-locus data were conducted. Besides R. griseocarnosa nine additional species were identified under the commercial name ‘dahongjun', including R. dhakuriana, R. quercina, R. purpureozonata, R. yanheensis and a new species sister to R. griseocarnosa here described as R. occulta. The others were undescribed species close to R. laricina, R. lepida, and R. purpureozonata respectively. Six evolutionary lineages within R. griseocarnosa were defined by genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition based on five-locus DNA data. Conflicts among different genealogies suggested that R. griseocarnosa is best considered as a single phylogenetic species, comprising several infraspecific taxa. Lower coverage whole genome sequencing of R. griseocarnosa holotype discovered that its three individuals belong to three different clades. Lectotypification was made using one of the three individuals. A new variety R. griseocarnosa var. ailaoshanensis is described to name one of the terminal clades that is mainly distributed in Ailao Mountains. This variety differs morphologically from the type variety in its nearly white context, bigger spores and more inflated hyphae in the pileipellis. The morphological and molecular data provided in this study are helpful to identify wild edible mushrooms of Russula subgen. Russula.

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal and edible fungus traditionally used for treating diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis, and related disorders. In this study, by use of solvent extraction and chromatographic techniques (reversed-phase silica gel, normal-phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20), eight compounds were isolated from I. obliquus. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as gallic acid (1), syringic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (4), inotodiol (5), cortinellin (6), lanosterol (7), and peroxide ergosterol (8). Anti-allergic activity assays demonstrated that inotodiol (5) significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation at concentrations of 4.96, 9.92, and 15.50 μmol/L, with inhibition rates of 51.03%, 30.53%, and 23.07%, respectively, indicating potent anti-allergic efficacy. Notably, inotodiol (5) exhibited unobserved cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 15.50 μmol/L, highlighting its potential as a candidate for novel anti-allergic drug development.

A Coprinellus saccharinus strain was isolated from mycelia on deciduous leaf humus in Nanshan Park (Qinglong County, Hebei, China). Four factors of biological characteristics were investigated. Fruiting bodies of this species were successfully cultivated. The scavenging capacities of both mycelium and fruiting body ethanol extracts against ABTS⁺·and·OH were also evaluated. The results indicated that the optimum carbon source for C. saccharinus strain were sucrose and soluble starch; the optimum nitrogen source was KNO₃; the suitable pH range was 7-9, and the highest mycelial growth rate was observed at 25 ℃. Domestication experiment showed that bottleful mycelial colonization time required 20-25 d at (20±1) ℃; primordium differentiation demanded temperature difference of 2-4 ℃, relative air humidity at 70%-80%, photoperoid of 12 h/d 800-1000 lx under scattered light, and a duration of 10-15 d. Mature fruiting bodies can be harvested after continued cultivation for 2-3 d. The antioxidant activities of C. saccharinus ethanol extracts from mycelia and cultivated fruiting bodies increased gradually as additive amount raising. Scavenging rates against both ABTS⁺· and ·OH peaked at an additive volume of 200 μL. Scavenging rates of ethanol extract of cultivated fruiting bodies reached 97.93% and 67.22%, respectively, significantly higher than those of mycelia (64.73% and 24.74%). Both mycelium and cultivated fruiting body ethanol extracts exhibited stronger scavenging capacity against ABTS⁺· than ·OH. Scavenging rate differentials were 39.99% and 30.71%, respectively. These findings provided a practical basis for further investigations into cultivation techniques, physiological activities, pharmacological effects, and other utilizations of C. saccharinus.