Application of micro-computed tomography to microstructure studies of the medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides.
The potential of 3-D nondestructive imaging techniques such as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was evaluated to study morphological patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides (Basidiomycota). Micro-CT results were correlated with histological information gained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). It is demonstrated that the combination of these imaging methods results in a more distinct picture of the morphology of the edible and potentially medicinal Hericium coralloides basidiomata. In addition we have created 3-D reconstructions and visualizations based on micro-CT imagery from a randomly selected part of the upper region of a fresh H. coralloides basidioma: Analyses for the first time allowed an approximation of the evolutionary effectiveness of this bizarrely formed basidioma type in terms of the investment of tissue biomass and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores).
Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstraβe 44, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and Institute of Microbiology, Leopold-Franzens University, Technikerstraβe 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Johannes.Pallua@i-med.ac.at.
Johannes D
JD
Pallua
Department of Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraβe 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Volker
V
Kuhn
Section for Clinical Neurobiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraβe 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Anton F
AF
Pallua
Section for Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstraβe 59, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Kristian
K
Pfaller
Former Institute for Computed Tomography-Neuro CT, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraβe 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Anton K
AK
Pallua
Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraβe 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Wolfgang
W
Recheis
Institute of Microbiology, Leopold-Franzens University, Technikerstraβe 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Reinhold
R
Pöder
D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
3-D reconstructions; Hericium coralloides; evolutionary effectiveness; hymenophoral surface area; hyphal texture; micro-computed tomography