Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is a plant species of the holly genus Ilex native to South America from the family Aquifoliaceae and is used for the production of yerba mate infusion. The leaves of the plant are steeped in hot water to make a beverage known as mate. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the content of selected elements in dried leaves and stems of I. paraguariensis (originating from Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil) available in the market in Poland and determine the amount of these elements and bioactive compounds that pass into the infusion prepared from them. The contents of the following antioxidant compounds were assessed: neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, 4-feruloylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid, rutoside, astragalin, caffeine, and indole derivatives. All the tested samples showed the presence of elements such as magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and manganese. The highest antioxidant activity was determined for infusion prepared from yerba mate samples from Brazil. Drinking approximately 1 L of the infusion a day will partially cover the daily requirement of these elements and bioactive compounds. The highest content of organic compounds with antioxidant properties (phenolic compounds and caffeine) was found in yerba mate infusions from Brazil.

Hypsizygus marmoreus is an edible medicinal mushroom species with a high dietary value. In this study, the fruiting bodies of commercial and self-cultivated crops and mycelium from in vitro H. marmoreus cultures (both white and brown varieties) were evaluated. This study aimed to analyze the presence of indole compounds and other biologically active substances and determine the effect that the addition of zinc and magnesium ions to the culture medium has on the content of the tested compounds in mycelial cultures. The content of indole compounds and other organic compounds was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography, the content of bioelements was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, the glucan content was determined spectrophotometrically, and the antioxidant activity of extracts was estimated using DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS methods. The results showed that H. marmoreus mycelium from in vitro cultures is a good source of indole compounds, bioelements, glucans, and lovastatin. Mycelia from in vitro cultures showed the most diverse composition of indole compounds (L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, tryptamine, 5-methyltryptamine, and melatonin). Additionally, in vitro cultures of H. marmoreus enriched with Zn and Mg salts increased the contents of Na, Ca, Zn, 5-methyltryptamine, melatonin, protocatechuic acid, sterols, and total glucans. Only in the case of the white variety of mycelial enriched cultures, ergothioneine and Mg levels also increased. To summarize, the content of the active compounds differed depending on the H. marmoreus variety and the tested material.

Serendipita indica, a mutualistic root endophytic fungus, has gained attention for its potential to enhance plant health and resistance to various stresses. This study investigated the impact of S. indica (strain DSM 11827) on plant growth promotion and the management of black rot disease. This is a devastating bacterial ailment caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, which affects cruciferous crops worldwide. The experiment was conducted under sterile conditions in a phytotron for 10 weeks. It involved the substrate and seed inoculation of S. indica in a cabbage crop. The findings suggested that S. indica establishes mutualistic relationships with cruciferous plants, positively influencing their growth while simultaneously reducing their susceptibility to black rot disease. Plant morphological and physiological parameters were enhanced by S. indica application. Additionally, bio stress markers were also enhanced in response to black rot disease. Moreover, disease severity was reduced by 27.9% and 18.8% in the substrate and seeds treated with S. indica, respectively. However, our findings did not report any antagonistic effect between S. indica and two pathogens, i.e., Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and Alternaria brassicicola under the in vitro test, suggesting that the suppression of black rot disease in cabbage seedlings was induced indirectly by S. indica. This study, therefore, underscores the promising prospect of utilizing S. indica to promote crop productivity and combat the destructive impact of black rot disease in cruciferous plants, contributing to more sustainable and resilient agriculture.