Aims: The effects of irradiation (gamma-rays and electron-beams), up to 10
kGy, in the antimicrobial activity of mushroom species (Boletus edulis,
Hydnum repandum, Macrolepiota procera and Russula delica) differently
processed (fresh, dried, freeze) were evaluated.
Methods and Results: Clinical isolates with different resistance profiles from
hospitalized patients in Local Health Unit of Mirandela, Northeast of Portugal,
were used as target micro-organisms. The mushrooms antimicrobial activity
did not suffer significant changes that might compromise applying irradiation
as a possible mushroom conservation technology.
Conclusions: Two kGy dose (independently of using gamma-rays or
electron-beams) seemed to be the most suitable choice to irradiate mushrooms.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides important results
in antimicrobial activity of extracts prepared from irradiated mushroom
species.
The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and COMPETE/QREN/EU for financial support to CIMO (PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011), Â. Fernandes (SFRH/BD/76019/2011) and J.C.M. Barreira (SFRH/BPD/72802/2010). They also thank to the Local Health Unit of Mirandela, Northeast of Portugal, for all the support and to INCT - Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, in Warsaw, Poland for electron-beam irradiation.
