Recently, the mycological laboratory of the Department of Botany in Goa University announced the discovery of a new pigment from local wild mushrooms found in Goa.

The new pigment is sulfur-rich melanin. Basically, the melanin is a protective pigment in the skin, that helps in blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation from damaging DNA and possibly causing the skin cancer.

The result was confirmed after more than two decades of research experience on local wild mushrooms.

In a statement, Nandakumar Kamat, Assistant Professor of Botany, Department of Goa University, states that “We are proud to report a new sulphur-rich melanin bio-pigment of immense bio-industrial, biomedical (anti-cancer, anti-tumour) and biotechnological potential from local Roen alamis (wild variety of Goan mushrooms that grows on termite hills) or Termitomyces species. Our paper was published on July 9 in the periodical ‘Mycology: International Journal Of Fungal Biology’ affiliated to Mycological Society of China, and published by Taylor and Francis, U.S. This discovery shows the chemical nature of the brown or black color that you see in these wild edible mushrooms.”

Dr. Kamat also states that “More than 50 teams are working on these mushrooms, globally, but we in Goa got the lead now. People of Goa who consume these mushrooms are actually eating sulfur-rich melanin. We declare it as world’s first sulfur-rich edible melanin. Its structure is similar to black pigment found in human hair.”

Well, this is one of the other benefits of mushroom.

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Some of the Top Benefits of Mushroom:

Including vegetables and fruits of all kinds in a diet is associated with decreased risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.

If you increase the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods such as mushrooms help in decreasing the risk of obesity and overall mortality, heart disease, and diabetes.

They also promote a healthy hair and complexion, increased energy, as well as overall lower weight.

• As we know that mushrooms are rich in antioxidants that help in cancer.
• Not only mushrooms that rich in antioxidants but also rich in mineral and vitamins like selenium and vitamin D.
• It also contains high-fiber which further help people with type 1 diabetes and people with type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and improving blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels.
• Presence of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium content in mushrooms it also helps in heart health.
• It helps in improving immune response to infection.
• It also helps in weight management and satiety.

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