• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

We collected the ascomata of Tuber species from the rhizosphere of Quercus dentata in Danyang, Korea. We observed the morphological characteristics of ectomycorrhizal roots and ascomata, and identified the species based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis conducted using the DNA sequences of an internal transcribed spacer, a large-subunit rDNA, translation elongation factor 1-α DNA (TEF1), and MAT. Finally, we identified the fungal species as Tuber himalayense B.C. Zhang & Minter, which has not been recorded previously in Korea. We evaluated the morphological characteristics and conducted phylogenetic analysis of the ascoma and mycorrhiza (associated with Q. dentata) of T. himalayense.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2022

Fungi of the genus Tuber are ectomycorrhizal fungi that form a symbiotic relationship mainly with oak and hazel trees. Tuber spp. exhibit a highly selective host plant preference; thus, for cultivation purposes it is important to select an appropriate host plant for successful mycorrhization. In addition, as mycorrhizal characteristics differ according to Tuber spp., it is necessary to understand the differences in mycorrhizae according to the fungal species. Tuber huidongense and Tuber himalayense were recently discovered in Korea; therefore, we used spore suspensions from these two species to inoculate two species of oak trees, Quercus acutissima and Quercus dentata, to compare colonization rates and morphologies of the mycorrhizae. The colonization rates demonstrated that the different Tuber spp. favored different host plant species. In addition, unique morphological and anatomical characteristics were observed for T. huidongense and T. himalayense depending on the host species. These findings can lead to new economically important agricultural activities related to truffle cultivation in Korea.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2021

In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of an extract of the fruiting body of the Tuber himalayense (TH) truffle collected from oak growing areas in Korea was investigated. The extract was not cytotoxic at concentrations below 100 ㎍/mL in an experiment evaluating inflammation inhibitory effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) production was inhibited by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot assay results indicated that the anti-inflammatory activity of TH extract was likely caused by the reduced production of NO and PGE₂ via suppression of induced NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression. In addition, TH extract effectively inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 by macrophages. Thus, TH extract effectively inhibits the overexpression of various inflammatory mediators and could be valuable in formulating anti-inflammatory foods and medicines that target these components.