Hericium erinaceus: Combining traditional uses with modern biotechnology to develop nutraceuticals

Edible and medicinal macromycetes are capable of synthesizing a unique complex of biologically active metabolites with significant antioxidant, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective and other properties. Today, mushrooms are recognized as fun c tional foods with significant culinary, nutritional and pharmacological value. Modern biotechnology is actively introducing inn o vative methods for creating therapeutic agents, including those based on mushroom raw materials. Thanks to multi-stage scree n ing and the development of biotechnology, the cultivation of highly productive producer strains with a high ability to synthesize natural pharmacologically active compounds has significantly increased the possibilities of their use in the food industry, pha r macology and medicine. Hericium erinaceus is a valuable edible and medicinal macrofungus, which is considered a promising food product and is increasingly attracting the attention of consumers. The fruiting bodies and mycelial biomass of this species are rich in biologically active substances, particularly polysaccharides, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and glycoproteins. Due to its high levels of essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, H. erinaceus is considered a low-calorie product and falls into the category of functional foods. The review presents a comprehensive analysis of the modern literature on H. erinaceus with an emphasis on its mycochemical composition, traditional use, pharmacological potential, in particular, data on the immunomodulatory, anticancer, antioxidant, prebiotic effects of H. erinaceus extracts. However, the main effect that makes this mushroom unique is its neuroprotective, neuroregenerative properties. Data on the pharmacological use of both fruiting bodies and mycelial mass and the possibilities of its further use in the production of functional products are analyzed. Taking into account the nutritional and pharmacological value of this species, the review considers sustainable cultivation strategies, in pa r ticular, maintaining highly productive producer strains, provides a description of the micro- and macromorphological properties, data on the ecology and distribution of the fungus, and presents the results of targeted regulation of biosynthetic activity using the light factor. The analysis of literature data confirms the significant potential of H. erinaceus for obtaining mycelial biomass and valuable metabolites in modern mycobiotechnologies.