Comparative analysis of multifaceted properties of Agaricus bisporus and Ganoderma lucidum macro-fungi powder: Techno-functional and structural characterization, mineral uptake, and photocatalytic activity.

Macro-fungi are recognized for food, medicinal, and environmental applications, therefore, the study focuses on multifaceted nutritional, techno-functional, and bioremediation-related uses of Agaricus bisporus and Ganoderma lucidum powders. Herein, A. bisporus exhibited 11.43 % significantly higher protein content, whereas, G. lucidum exhibited 63.55 % higher fiber content. For both mushrooms, spherical porous and fibrous interconnected structural morphology was observed, which led to distinguishing crystallinity and techno-functional properties. G. lucidum demonstrated 75.89 % higher iron, and 19.22 % higher zinc bioavailability while A. bisporus displayed 45.36 % higher calcium bioavailability. G. lucidum absorbed significantly higher zinc and calcium during cellular uptake, while A. bisporus revealed higher iron uptake. Both macro-fungi enhanced iron storage, with G. lucidum achieving 28.68 ± 0.61 ng ferritin/mg cell protein. A. bisporus degraded 88.69 ± 0.12 % Malachite Green while G. lucidum degraded 90.51 ± 0.19 %, maintaining efficiency in both sunlight and UV light. The research indicates that these matrices may serve as valuable nutritional sources and potential substitutes for additives.