Analytical chemistry of edible and medicinal mushrooms

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2026-2027

Topic

Edible and medicinal mushrooms have received increasing attention in recent years in food science, health sciences, and natural sciences research. But what makes these mushrooms unique, and how can the composition of their bioactive compounds be scientifically investigated? This course addresses these questions from an analytical chemistry perspective.

During the course, students become familiar with the most important chemical constituents of edible and medicinal mushrooms, as well as with modern analytical methods used for their investigation. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how sampling, sample preparation, and extraction influence analytical results, and why different methods may lead to varying analytical data even when applied to the same sample.

The lectures introduce the most well-known edible and medicinal mushroom species and provide insight into the scientific background of their investigation. Students will also gain an understanding of how these mushrooms are represented in modern research and what analytical challenges arise when studying complex natural matrices.

During the laboratory sessions, students prepare mushroom extracts and examine their chemical characteristics using spectrophotometric methods. Through these measurements, students learn how to process, interpret, and compare analytical data, while gaining hands-on experience in the analysis of natural samples.

The course is particularly recommended for students interested in natural bioactive compounds, food and pharmaceutical research, and analytical chemistry, who would like to gain insight into a current and rapidly developing research field.

Lectures

• 1. Definition of edible and medicinal mushrooms and analytical approaches - Dergez Tímea
• 2. Chemical composition and analytical characterisation of edible mushrooms - Dergez Tímea
• 3. Medicinal mushrooms I: Ganoderma and Cordyceps from historical and analytical perspectives - Dergez Tímea
• 4. Medicinal mushrooms II: Analytical characterisation of Hericium erinaceus and Lentinula / Agaricus blazei - Dergez Tímea
• 5. Sampling, extraction and antioxidant assays of mushroom matrices - Dergez Tímea
• 6. Analytical investigation of medicinal mushrooms in the scientific literature - Dergez Tímea

Practices

• 1. Sampling, sample preparation and extraction of edible and medicinal mushrooms - Dergez Tímea
• 2. Sampling, sample preparation and extraction of edible and medicinal mushrooms - Dergez Tímea
• 3. Sampling, sample preparation and extraction of edible and medicinal mushrooms - Dergez Tímea
• 4. Measurement of antioxidant activity by spectrophotometric methods - Dergez Tímea
• 5. Measurement of antioxidant activity by spectrophotometric methods - Dergez Tímea
• 6. Measurement of antioxidant activity by spectrophotometric methods - Dergez Tímea

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

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Literature developed by the Department

The course is based on self-developed teaching materials. Lectures are delivered using detailed presentation slides (PPT), which are supplemented by summary notes provided to students.

Notes

Lecture summary notes are provided to students. A laboratory workbook is prepared for practical sessions, containing measurement tasks, structured data recording templates, and interpretation questions. The workbook supports independent student work and facilitates the systematic evaluation of experimental results.

Recommended literature

Christopher Hobbs: Christopher Hobbs's Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

One homework assignment in which students individually analyze a scientific article related to medicinal mushrooms. The results of the laboratory measurements are also included in this assignment.

Mid-term exams

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Making up for missed classes

based on individual consultation

Exam topics/questions

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Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

• Dergez Tímea