Strontium Biofortification in Auricularia auricula-judae: Strain Screening, Distribution Patterns, and Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Enrichment

This study explores strontium (Sr) biofortification in the edible fungus Auricularia auricula-judae, screening five strains for tolerance and identifying Shennong A8 as optimal, with 94% Sr uptake at 2000 mg/L and enhanced fruiting body yield. Sr distribution revealed polysaccharide dominance (50.6%) in mycelia and protein binding (43.1%) in fruiting bodies, supporting high accumulation without toxicity. Transcriptomic analysis identified 459 mycelial and 57 fruiting body differentially expressed genes, enriching pathways like carbohydrate metabolism, ABC transporters, and ER protein processing. These insights elucidate stage-specific mechanisms of Sr enrichment, promoting A. auricula-judae as a novel vehicle for Sr-fortified functional foods to address dietary deficiencies in bone and cardiovascular health.