Systematics, ecology, pharmacognosy, vitamin content and cultivation of Choiromyces in Sweden

In spite of a world market for mushrooms estimated at 5 million tonnes, and in spite of fungi being six times richer in species than plants, and in spite of the demand for functional foods, research on edible and medicinal mushrooms has been neglected in Sweden. Our Tuber aestivum (syn. T. uncinatum) truffle project on the Swedish island of Gotland has been scientifically and economically a success. Since landowners familiar with Choiromyces truffles in Sweden have urged for research, we intend to illuminate the following questions: Are there one or several species in Europe? What are the preferred mycorrhizal hosts, soils and climate? Can mycelium be cultivated in large scale? Is it possible to synthesise mycorrhiza and to establish truffle orchards? Does the Swedish Choiromyces contain any toxic or anti-inflammatory substances? Could Choiromyces be an important source of vitamins? From 2006 we have confirmed three new localities for Choiromyces venosus in Sweden, using a trained truffle dog to find the mature fruit bodies. By using the dog, completely hypogeous, mature fruit bodies were found in contrast to the former observations that mature fruit bodies always protrude up through the soil surface. We have pure cultures of C. venosus growing on modified Fries media, confirmed by PCR. This project combines basic and applied research with the aim to create a new cash crop and new products of benefit to rural economy and Swedish industry. The project also addresses important questions about the taxonomy and biology of a mushroom genus. A successful project may generate new plantations on the Swedish main land of benefit to rural economy and biodiversity, new export products similar to the Gotland project mentioned above and more research devoted at edible and medicinal mushrooms.