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Previous studies have shown that boletes are abundant and diverse in China, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, morphological, ecological, host relationship, and a four-locus (28S, tef1 , rpb1 , and rpb2 ) molecular phylogenetic analyses were used to study the family Boletaceae in subtropical and tropical China. Four new bluing species are described from three genera, viz. Boletellus verruculosus (Chinese name), Xerocomellus tenuis (Chinese name), Xer. brunneus (Chinese name), and Xerocomus zhangii (Chinese name). Moreover, the genus Nigroboletus is treated as a synonym of Xerocomellus , and a new combination, namely Xer. roseonigrescens (Chinese name), is proposed.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green synthesis from fungi polysaccharides are attracting increasing attention owing to their distinctive features and special applications in numerous fields. In this study, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biosynthesizing AgNPs method with no toxic chemicals involved from the fruiting body polysaccharide of Phlebopus portentosus (PPP) was established and optimized by single factor experiment and response surface methodology. The optimum synthesis conditions of polysaccharide-AgNPs (PPP-AgNPs) were identified to be the reaction time of 140 min, reaction temperature of 94 °C, and the PPP: AgNO 3 ratio of 1:11.5. Formation of PPP-AgNPs was indicated by visual detection of colour change from yellowish to yellowish brown. PPP-AgNPs were characterized by different methods and further evaluated for biological activities. That the Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis.) spectroscopy displayed a sharp absorption peak at 420 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis detected the presence of various functional groups. The lattice indices of (111), (200), (220), and (331), which indicated a faced-centered-cubic of the Ag crystal structure of PPP-AgNPs, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the particles were found to be spherical through high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) determined the presence of silver in PPP-AgNPs. The percentage relative composition of elements was determined as silver (Ag) 82.5 % and oxygen (O) 17.5 % for PPP-AgNPs, and did not exhibit any nitrogen peaks. The specific surface area of PPP-AgNPs was calculated to be 0.5750 m 2 /g with an average pore size of 24.33 nm by BET analysis. The zeta potential was -4.32 mV, which confirmed the stability and an average particle size of 64.5 nm was calculated through dynamic light scattering (DLS). PPP-AgNPs exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity against DPPH with an IC 50 value of 0.1082 mg/mL. The MIC values of PPP-AgNPs for E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis are 0.05 mg/mL. The IC 50 value of the inhibition of PPP-AgNPs against α-glucosidase was 11.1 μg/mL, while the IC 50 values of PPP-AgNPs against HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were calculated to be 14.36 ± 0.43 μg/mL and 40.05 ± 2.71 μg/mL, respectively. According to the evaluation, it can be concluded that these green-synthesized and eco-friendly PPP-AgNPs are helpful to improve therapeutics because of significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties to provide new possibilities for clinic applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A polysaccharide CY-2 from C. yunnanensis was obtained through a process of consecutive water extraction, alcohol precipitation, and DEAE-52 fast-flow chromatography. CY-2, with an average molecular weight of 2.69 × 10 4  Da mainly consisted of glucose and mannose with a molar ratio of 33.5: 56.9. Infrared spectrum (IR), methylation analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results revealed that CY-2 may have a backbone consisting of →6)-α-D-Manp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, and branch chain β-D-Glcp-(1→. Meanwhile, CY-2 had a higher inhibition rate on α-glucosidase activity compared with other fractions (CY-0, CY-1, and CY-4) and was a mixed competitive inhibitor. In addition, CY-2 at the concentration of 10 μg/mL presented a superior power to improve glucose consumption and metabolism in HepG2 cells compared with metformin. Overall, these findings highlight the potential value of CY-2 as a hypoglycemic agent., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Strobilomyces , one of the most noticeable genera of Boletaceae (Boletales), is both ecologically and economically important. Although many studies have focused on Strobilomyces in China, the diversity still remains incompletely understood. In the present study, several collections of Strobilomyces from Hainan Island, tropical China were studied based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Four species are described as new, viz. S . baozhengii , S . conicus , S . hainanensis , and S . pachycystidiatus . Detailed descriptions, color photos of fresh basidiomata, and line drawings of microstructures of the four species are presented.

Xerocomoideae is an ecologically and economically important Boletaceae subfamily ( Boletales ) comprising 10 genera. Although many studies have focused on Xerocomoideae in China, the diversity, taxonomy and molecular phylogeny still remained incompletely understood. In the present study, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Chinese species of Xerocomoideae were carried out by morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Eight genera in Xerocomoideae, viz. Aureoboletus, Boletellus, Heimioporus, Hemileccinum, Hourangia, Phylloporus, N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, Pulchroboletus, and N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, Xerocomus N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. aff. N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, putuoensis; N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, Y.J. Hao & Zhi Q. Liang, viz. N.K. Zeng, R. Xue & Kuan Zhao, A. marroninus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, P. dimorphus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, viz. N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, A. albipes, N.K. Zeng, L.L. Wu, & Zhi Q. Liang, A. conicus, N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, A. ornatipes, N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, and Bol. erythrolepis, Bol. rubidus, Bol. sinochrysenteroides, Bol. subglobosus, Bol. zenghuoxingii, N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang. H. squamipes, : Xue R, Zhang X, Xu C, Xie HJ, Wu LL, Wang Y, Tang LP, Hao YJ, Zhao K, Jiang S, Li Y, Yang YY, Li Z, Liang ZQ, Zeng NK (2023). The subfamily P. hainanensis, Pul. erubescens, X. albotomentosus, and X. fuscatus, 36 known species were redescribed, and the other 48 species were reviewed. Keys to accepted species of Aureoboletus, Boletellus, Heimioporus, Hemileccinum, Hourangia, Phylloporus, and Xerocomus in China were also provided. Taxonomic novelties : New species : Aureoboletus albipes N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, A. conicus N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, A. ornatipes N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, Boletellus erythrolepis N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. rubidus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, Y.J. Hao & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. sinochrysenteroides N.K. Zeng, R. Xue & Kuan Zhao, Bol. subglobosus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. zenghuoxingii N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Hemileccinum squamipes N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, Phylloporus hainanensis N.K. Zeng, L.L. Wu, & Zhi Q. Liang, Pulchroboletus erubescens N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, Xerocomus albotomentosus N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, and X. fuscatus N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang. Citation : Xue R, Zhang X, Xu C, Xie HJ, Wu LL, Wang Y, Tang LP, Hao YJ, Zhao K, Jiang S, Li Y, Yang YY, Li Z, Liang ZQ, Zeng NK (2023). The subfamily Xerocomoideae ( Boletaceae , Boletales ) in China. Studies in Mycology 106 : 95-197. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.106.03., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© 2023 Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute.)

Heterophyllidiae , one of the main subgenus of Russula (Russulaceae, Russulales), is both ecologically and economically important. Although many studies have focused on subgenus Heterophyllidiae in China, the diversity, taxonomy, and molecular phylogeny still remained incompletely understood. In the present study, two new species, R. discoidea and R. niveopicta , and two known taxa, R. xanthovirens and R. subatropurpurea, were described based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and 28S DNA sequences with new collections of subgenus Heterophyllidiae from southern China. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses consistently confirmed that R. niveopicta and R. xanthovirens belong to the subsect. Virescentinae , R. discoidea and R. subatropurpurea come under subsect. Heterophyllae , and R. prasina is synonymized with R. xanthovirens ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Han, Liang and Zeng.)

Cantharellus , one of the main genera of Hydnaceae (Cantharellales), is both ecologically and economically important. Although many studies have focused on this genus in China, the taxonomy should be further updated. In the present study, Cantharellus subgenera Afrocantharellus and Magni were investigated based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses with new collections from China. Five phylogenetic species were recognized among the studied collections, three of which were described as new: C. bellus , C . cineraceus , and C. laevigatus ; one was previously described taxon: C. hygrophoroides ; and the remaining species was not defined due to the paucity of the materials. Among the four described species, both C. bellus and C. laevigatus are members of subgen. Magni , whereas C. cineraceus and C. hygrophoroides belong to subgen. Afrocantharellus., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Zhang, Qin, Chen, Lin, Liang, Jiang and Zeng.)

Polysaccharides from the species of Boletaceae (Boletales, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) are economically significant to both functional foods and medicinal industries. The crude polysaccharide from Butyriboletus pseudospeciosus (BPP) was prepared, and its physicochemical properties were characterized through the use of consecutive experimental apparatus, and its impact on the gut microbiota of Kunming mice was evaluated. Analyses of the structure characteristics revealed that BPP was mainly composed of Man, Glc, and Gal, possessing the pyranose ring and β/α-glycosidic linkages. TG analysis exhibited that BPP had great heat stability. The SEM observation performed demonstrated that BPP appeared with a rough, dense, and porous shape. Through the BPP intervention, the serum and fecal biochemical index in mice can be improved obviously ( p < 0.05). The abundance of beneficial microbiota in the BPP-treated group was significantly increased, while the abundance of harmful microbiota was significantly decreased ( p < 0.05). Based on the Tax4Fun, we also revealed the relationship between the species of gut microbiota and showed that the high dose of BPP has significantly changed the functional diversities compared with those in other groups ( p < 0.05). The results suggest that B. pseudospeciosus could serve as potential functional food or medicine.

Hainan is the second largest island in China with the most extensive and well-preserved tropical forests and is also the largest island of the Indo Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. It provides in situ conservation for the unique ecosystem of the island. Recent studies have shown that there are diverse fungal species in Hainan. In this study, about 40 collections of the genus Amanita have been studied based on the morphology and molecular systematics, including 35 Chinese specimens (24 from Hainan, and eleven from other regions) and three specimens from other countries (Singapore and Malaysia). In total, five new species belonging to Amanita section Validae are described: A. cacaina , A. parvigrisea , A. pseudofritillaria , A. pseudosculpta , and A. yangii. Amanita parvifritillaria is recorded for the first time in Hainan. It is also the first report of this fungus occurring, outside Yunnan Province, China. Among the five new species, two are unique in this section because of the appendiculate pileus margin and the absence of an annulus. Based on these new findings, the diagnosis of the section Validae should be slightly modified to include a few species with appendiculate margin and the lack of annulus., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Huang, Su, Zeng, Lee, Lee, Thi, Zhang, Ma, Huang, Jiang and Tang.)

Polysaccharides serve as promising ingredients for health-beneficial functional foods, while there were no investigations into the structural characterizations and bioactivities of an edible mushroom Cantharellus yunnanensis. In the study, crude polysaccharides from this mushroom were extracted by hot water and isolated by ethanol precipitation. Then, a neutral polysaccharide (named CY-1) was purified from the crude polysaccharide by deproteinization with Sevag reagent, decolorization with a kind of macroporous adsorption resin SP-825, DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography and dialysis. The physicochemical properties of CY-1 were characterized by UV, IR, SEM, NMR, and HPLC analyses. Structural characterizations revealed that CY-1 is a homogeneous heteropolysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 3.06 × 104 Da. CY-1 exhibited a honeycomb structure with an irregular branching shape, and it was composed of mannose, glucose, fucose, xylose, arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid, with molar fractions of 54.83%, 25.11%, 10.28% 4.53%, 2.12%, 1.64%, 0.83%, and 0.64%, respectively. In vitro hypoglycemic tests showed that CY-1 had an inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase. In addition, CY-1 of 160 µg/mL promoted glucose consumption in normal HepG2 cells. These results suggested that CY-1 may be a potential hypoglycemic agent.

Boletus edulis is an edible mushroom with nutritious, delicacy, and pharmacological properties. It is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and taste compounds, while low in fat and calories. Diverse bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols, have been found in B. edulis. In addition, bioactive compounds and chemical extracts from B. edulis have been verified to possess constipation prevention, antioxidant, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. This paper provides an overview of B. edulis research in recent two decades, emphasizing the nutrition constituents, taste and flavor components, bioactive compounds, and health-promoting effects of B. edulis. Boletus edulis appeared to have health-promoting effects that may effectively prevent or treat various chronic diseases. The potential of B. edulis as a functional food and medicine needs to be further investigated and confirmed., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Species of Craterellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) in China are investigated on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. Five species are recognized in China, of which three of them are described as new, viz. C. fulviceps , C. minor , and C. parvopullus , while two of them are previously described taxa, viz. C. aureus , and C. lutescens . A key to the known Chinese taxa of the genus is also provided., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling editor BD declared a past co-authorship with the author BB., (Copyright © 2022 Zhang, Zhang, Buyck, Tang, Liang, Su, Hao, Huang, Zhang, Chen and Zeng.)

Currently, mushroom poisoning still poses a huge problem to humans' health and life globally. Poisoning incidents caused by Inosperma spp. were reported continuously in tropical China in recent years. In this study, a new poisonous Inosperma species, discovered from a poisoning incident, was described in tropical China based on morphological, molecular, and toxin detection evidence; detailed descriptions, photographs, and comparisons to closely related species were provided. For qualitative analysis, through targeted screening using ultra-high liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), the new species contains muscarine and no other toxins (two isoxazole derivatives, two tryptamine alkaloids, three amatoxins, and three phallotoxins). For quantitative analysis, muscarine contents in the pileus and the stipe were 2.08 ± 0.05 and 6.53 ± 1.88 g/kg, respectively., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Deng, Yu, Zeng, Zhang, Wu, Li, Xu and Fan.)

Species of Cantharellus subgenus Cantharellus are interesting and important for their mycorrhizal properties, medicinal values, and edibility. In China, there are many undescribed species of the subgenus. In this study, four new species of subg. Cantharellus , viz. Cantharellus albopileatus , Cantharellus chuiweifanii , Cantharellus pinetorus , and Cantharellus ravus from Hainan and Hunan Provinces, respectively, were described based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence as a contribution to the knowledge of the species diversity in China. Detailed descriptions, color photographs of fresh basidiomata, and line drawings of microstructures of these four new species are presented as well as comparisons with related species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Zhang, Lin, Buyck, Liang, Su, Chen, Zhang, Jiang, An and Zeng.)

Rubroboletus flammeus is described as a new species from subtropical China based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. It is morphologically characterized by a red to fiery-red basidioma with a dry pileus, a context in pileus white but that in stipe bright yellow, a stipe densely covered with spots, a blue color change of tissues, and a trichoderm-type pileipellis. Detailed descriptions, color photographs of fresh basidiomata, and line drawings of microscopic features of the new species are presented. A key to the known Chinese taxa of Rubroboletus is provided., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Polysaccharides in boletes (Boletales) are economically significant to both function food and medicinal industries. The polysaccharides were extracted from the fruit bodies of eight boletes, namely, Aureoboletus longicollis, Butyriboletus hainanensis, Crocinoboletus rufoaureus, Hemioporus japonicus, Neoboletus infuscatus, Neoboletus obscureumbrinus, Tylopilus otsuensis, Xanthoconium fusciceps , which were collected from tropical China; their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were characterised and evaluated, respectively. The results revealed that the polysaccharides among the eight boletes were mainly composed of glucose, mannose, and galactose, with a broad molecular weight range, and contained a pyranose ring revealed by FT-IR and NMR spectral analyses. Many factors such as different species of boletes, geographic conditions, molecular weight, configuration, and monosaccharide content may affect the antioxidant power of polysaccharides, simultaneously, instead of one single factor. The antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides were measured according to in vitro assays of DPPH scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, and ferrous ion reducing tests. The polysaccharide of C. rufoaureus has greatly superior antioxidant activity and it could serve as potential functional food or medicine., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

An accurate identification of poisonous mushrooms and the confirmation of the toxins involved are both of great importance in the treatment of mushroom poisoning incidents. In recent years, cases of mushroom poisoning by Inosperma spp. have been repeatedly reported from tropical Asia. It is urgent to know the real species diversity of Inosperma in this region. In the present study, we proposed two new Inosperma species from tropical Asia, namely I.muscarium and I.hainanense . They were described based on morphology and multilocus phylogeny. Detailed descriptions, color photographs and the discussion with other closely related species of the two new taxa were provided. In addition, a comprehensive muscarine determination of these two new species using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) approach has been performed. Results showed that these two species were muscarine positive, with a content of 16.03 ± 1.23 g/kg in I.muscarium and a content of 11.87 ± 3.02 g/kg in I.hainanense , much higher than the known species I.virosum . Recovery of muscarine ranged from 93.45% to 97.25%, and the average recovery is 95.56%., (Lun-Sha Deng, Rui Kang, Nian-Kai Zeng, Wen-Jie Yu, Cheng Chang, Fei Xu, Wang-Qiu Deng, Liang-Liang Qi, Yu-Ling Zhou, Yu-Guang Fan.)

Neoboletus infuscatus ( Boletaceae , Boletales ) is described as a new species from Yinggeling of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, southern China. It is morphologically characterized by a large basidioma with a nearly glabrous, brownish yellow, yellowish brown to pale brown pileus, pores orangish red when young, yellowish brown to brown when old, context and hymenophore staining blue when injured, a yellow stipe with red punctuations, surfaces of the pileus and the stipe usually covered with a thin layer of white pruina when young. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from part of the 28S gene, the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and part of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene ( TEF1 ) also confirm that N. infuscatus forms an independent lineage within Neoboletus . Detailed morphological description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of microstructures are provided., (2021, by The Mycological Society of Japan.)

Hygrophorus subsect. Hygrophorus has been relatively well-studied in Europe and North America, but studies on the taxa in Asia, particularly in China, are still limited. In this study, phylogenetic overviews of genus Hygrophorus , based on the nuclear large subunit (LSU) ribosomal RNA gene and of subsect. Hygrophorus, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were generated. Four new species, i.e. H. brunneodiscus , H. fuscopapillatus , H. glutiniceps and H. griseodiscus are described from southern China; and a rarely reported edible species H. hedrychii is described in detail, based upon the materials from north-eastern China. The main characteristics of the species under subsect. Hygrophorus worldwide are summarised in a table., (Chao-Qun Wang, Tai-Hui Li, Ming Zhang, Xiao-Lan He, Wei-Qiang Qin, Tie-Zhi Liu, Nian-Kai Zeng, Xiang-Hua Wang, Jian-Wei Liu, Tie-Zheng Wei, Jiang Xu, Yue-Qiu Li, Ya-Heng Shen.)

In this study, species relationships of the genus Aureoboletus were studied, based on both morphological characteristics and a four-gene (nrLSU, tef1-a , rpb1 and rpb2 ) phylogenetic inference. Thirty-five species of the genus have been revealed worldwide, forming eight major clades in the phylogenetic tree, of which twenty-four species have been found in China, including six new species: A. glutinosus , A. griseorufescens , A. raphanaceus , A. sinobadius , A. solus , A. velutipes and a new combination A. miniatoaurantiacus (Bi & Loh) Ming Zhang, N.K. Zeng & T.H. Li proposed here. A key to 24 known Chinese species has been provided., (Ming Zhang, Tai-Hui Li, Chao-Qun Wang, Nian-Kai Zeng, Wang-Qiu Deng.)

The morphology, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships of specimens of the family Boletaceae from subtropical and tropical China were investigated. Four species, Butyriboletushuangnianlaii , Lanmaoamacrocarpa , Neoboletusmultipunctatus , and Sutoriussubrufus , are new to science. Chalciporusradiatus and Caloboletusxiangtoushanensis are redescribed. Caloboletusguanyui is proposed to replace Boletusquercinus Hongo, an illegitimate later homonym. The recently described Tylopiluscallainus is synonymized with the Japanese Boletusvirescens , and the new combination T.virescens (Har. Takah. & Taneyama) N.K. Zeng et al. is proposed. Moreover, Neoboletus is treated as an independent genus based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogenetic data in the present study, and many previously described taxa of Sutorius are recombined into Neoboletus : N.ferrugineus (G. Wu et al.) N.K. Zeng et al., N.flavidus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N.hainanensis (T.H. Li & M. Zang) N.K. Zeng et al., N.obscureumbrinus (Hongo) N.K. Zeng et al., N.rubriporus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N.sanguineoides (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al. , N.sanguineus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., and N.tomentulosus (M. Zang et al.) N.K. Zeng et al.

Species of Heimioporus (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China are investigated on the basis of morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Three species are recognized in China: H. conicus, sp. nov., H. gaojiaocong, sp. nov., and the previously described H. japonicus. Heimioporus xerampelinus, originally described from southwestern China, is synonymized with H. japonicus; specimens from China previously regarded as H. retisporus and H. subretisporus are confirmed to represent H. japonicus and H. gaojiaocong, respectively. A key to the Chinese taxa of the genus is provided. A preliminary biogeographical analysis shows that Heimioporus in East Asia and Southeast Asia/Australia are closely related. Heimioporus japonicus is a geographically widespread species occurring in East Asia and Southeast Asia; however, no taxa common to East Asia and Australia were uncovered.

Some Amanita specimens collected from Malaysia are critically investigated by morphological examination and molecular analysis of two gene fragments, the nuc rDNA partial 28S (28S) gene and the internal transcriber spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) regions. Six phylogenetic species of Amanita section Caesareae are recognized among the studied collections. One of them is described as new, A. malayensis. Four of the phylogenetic species correspond with existing morphology-based taxa: A. aporema, A. javanica, A. princeps, and A. similis. The remaining species is not described because of the paucity of material. Detailed descriptions and the distribution of these southeastern Asian species are provided, along with a key to the species of section Caesareae from Malaysia.

Species of Pulveroboletus (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China are investigated on the basis of morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc rDNA region encompassing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, along with the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and sequences from the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Nine species are recognized in the country, three of them are described as new: P. flaviscabrosus, P. rubroscabrosus, and P. subrufus, five of them are previous described taxa: P. brunneopunctatus, P. brunneoscabrosus, P. macrosporus, P. reticulopileus, and P. sinensis, the remaining one is tentatively named P. cf. ridleyi, which will be further studied in the future. A key to the Chinese taxa of the genus is provided. Unexpectedly, the current study did not identify disjunct populations of Pulveroboletus species in East Asia and North/Central America.

Species of the genus Retiboletus (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China are investigated based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial 28S regions and sequences from the translation elongation factor 1-a gene (tef1a). Six lineages are recovered among the collections studied. Five of these are documented and presented in the present paper, including three new species and two new combinations. The remaining species is not described due to the paucity of material. The specimens from China identified as "R. ornatipes" or "R. retipes" are in fact R. sinensis or R. kauffmanii, those labeled "R. griseus" are either R. fuscus or R. pseudogriseus A key to all known taxa of the genus is provided. Phylogenetic relationships of taxa within Retiboletus are partially resolved. A preliminary biogeographical analysis shows that allied species of Retiboletus between eastern Asia and North/Central America are common but there are no Retiboletus species common to both continents. Species of Retiboletus in Japan and southern China are conspecific or closely related., (© 2016 by The Mycological Society of America.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: A wealth of information is emerging about the impact of gut microbiota on human health and diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. As we learn more, we find out the gut microbiota has the potential as new territory for drug targeting. Some novel therapeutic approaches could be developed through reshaping the commensal microbial structure using combinations of different agents. The gut microbiota also affects drug metabolism, directly and indirectly, particularly towards the orally administered drugs. Herbal products have become the basis of traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicine and also been being considered valuable materials in modern drug discovery. Of note, low oral bioavailability but high bioactivity is a conundrum not yet solved for some herbs. Since most of herbal products are orally administered, the herbs' constituents are inevitably exposed to the intestinal microbiota and the interplays between herbal constituents and gut microbiota are expected. Emerging explorations of herb-microbiota interactions have an opportunity to revolutionize the way we view herbal therapeutics. The present review aims to provide information regarding the health promotion and/or disease prevention by the interplay between traditional herbs with low bioavailability and gut microbiota through gut microbiota via two different types of mechanisms: (1) influencing the composition of gut microbiota by herbs and (2) metabolic reactions of herbal constituents by gut microbiota., Materials and Methods: The major data bases (PubMed and Web of Science) were searched using "gut microbiota", "intestinal microbiota", "gut flora", "intestinal flora", "gut microflora", "intestinal microflora", "herb", "Chinese medicine", "traditional medicine", or "herbal medicine" as keywords to find out studies regarding herb-microbiota interactions. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition, Volume I) was also used to collect the data of commonly used medicinal herbs and their quality control approaches., Results: Among the 474 monographs of herbs usually used in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the quality control approach of 284 monographs is recommended to use high-performance liquid chromatography approach. Notably, the major marker compounds (>60%) for quality control are polyphenols, polysaccharides and saponins, with significant oral bioavailability conundrum. Results from preclinical and clinical studies on herb-microbiota interactions showed that traditional herbs could exert heath promotion and disease prevention roles via influencing the gut microbiota structure. On the other hand, herb constituents such as ginsenoside C-K, hesperidin, baicalin, daidzin and glycyrrhizin could exert their therapeutic effects through gut microbiota-mediated bioconversion., Conclusions: Herb-microbiota interaction studies provide novel mechanistic understanding of the traditional herbs that exhibit poor oral bioavailability. "Microbiota availability" could be taken consideration into describing biological measurements in the therapeutic assessment of herbal medicine. Our review should be of value in stimulating discussions among the scientific community on this relevant theme and prompting more efforts to complement herb-microbiota interactions studies., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Veloporphyrellus is a genus known from North and Central America, southeastern Asia, and Africa. Because species of this genus are phenotypically similar to some taxa in several genera, such as Boletellus, Leccinum, Strobilomyces, Suillus and Tylopilus s.l. belonging to Boletales, its phylogenetic disposition has never been addressed. We analyzed four DNA regions, the nuclear ribosomal LSU and tef-1α, and the mitochondrial mtSSU and atp6 genes, to investigate the phylogenetic disposition of Veloporphyrellus. Although the monophyly of the genus and its systematic placement within the Boletaceae was well supported, its relationship to other genera was not resolved. Morphologically Veloporphyrellus is distinguished from other boletoid genera by the combination of the pinkish or grayish pink hymenophore, the membranous veil hanging on the pilea margin, the trichoderm-like pileus covering and the smooth basidiospores. Five species, including two new species and two new combinations, are described and illustrated. A key to the species of Veloporphyrellus also is provided.

Corneroboletus was erected in the Boletaceae to accommodate Boletus indecorus originally described from southeastern Asia. The mucilaginous surface of the basidioma, the ixohyphoepithelium pileipellis and the irregularly warty to irregularly bacillate ornamentation of basidiospores distinguish this fungus from other described species in Boletaceae. Phylogenetic placement of this fungus was investigated further with molecular data including LSU rRNA and concatenated alignment of nrLSU, 5.8S rRNA and rpb2 genes, and an independent lineage among existing genera of Boletaceae was suggested by our phylogenetic results. Consequently a description, illustrations and a comparison of Corneroboletus with allied taxa are presented.

The wild gourmet mushroom Boletus edulis and its close allies are of significant ecological and economic importance. They are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but despite their ubiquity there are still many unresolved issues with regard to the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of this group of mushrooms. Most phylogenetic studies of Boletus so far have characterized samples from North America and Europe and little information is available on samples from other areas, including the ecologically and geographically diverse regions of China. Here we analyzed DNA sequence variation in three gene markers from samples of these mushrooms from across China and compared our findings with those from other representative regions. Our results revealed fifteen novel phylogenetic species (about one-third of the known species) and a newly identified lineage represented by Boletus sp. HKAS71346 from tropical Asia. The phylogenetic analyses support eastern Asia as the center of diversity for the porcini sensu stricto clade. Within this clade, B. edulis is the only known holarctic species. The majority of the other phylogenetic species are geographically restricted in their distributions. Furthermore, molecular dating and geological evidence suggest that this group of mushrooms originated during the Eocene in eastern Asia, followed by dispersal to and subsequent speciation in other parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas from the middle Miocene through the early Pliocene. In contrast to the ancient dispersal of porcini in the strict sense in the Northern Hemisphere, the occurrence of B. reticulatus and B. edulis sensu lato in the Southern Hemisphere was probably due to recent human-mediated introductions.

Objective: To investigate the submerged culture conditions and nutritional requirments for the production of mycelial biomass and exopolysaccharides (EPS) by medicinal mushroom Phellinus baumii., Method: The carbon sources, nitrogen sources, inoculum volume, initial pH and temperature were investigated based on shake flask cultures, respectively., Result: The glucose was the most suitable carbon source for both mycelial biomass and EPS production, soy peptone was favorable nitrogen sources for both mycelial biomass and EPS production. The optimal inoculum volume, initial pH and temperature for both mycelial growth and EPS production were 6%, 6.0 and 28 degrees C, respectively., Conclusion: The study obtained basic datas for large-scale submerged culture of P. baumii.

Objective: To breed good strains by protoplast fusion in Phellinus baumii., Methods: 5.8S rDNA-ITS sequences, mycelial growth rate, mycelial biomass and exopolysaccharides (EPS) production of 7 strains in different origins were analyzed, respectively. Then the inactivated parent protoplast and the PEG induction were used in the process of protoplast fusion., Results: The strain P. baumii SA02 and P. baumii SA04 were selected as the parent strains. R002, R003 and R005 had antagonistic effects with parent strains., Conclusion: R002, R003 and R005 are fusants of the parent strains.