Research topics
The leading scientific specialization developed in the Chair of Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Biotechnology (formerly in the Department of Pharmaceutical Botany) for a number of years has been plant biotechnology with elements of phytochemistry. Research in this area includes in vitro cultures of medicinal and/or cosmetic plants. Most of the work deals with endogenous and stimulated by exogenous precursors and/or elicitors (stress factors) accumulation of bioactive metabolites in in vitro cultures. The studied groups of bioactive compounds are: phenolic acids, citric lignans, flavonoids, including Scutellaria genus-specific compounds, phenylpropanoid glycosides (including verbascoside), tannin precursors – catechin derivatives and sulfur-containing compounds. Research is also being conducted on the biotransformation of precursors into therapeutically important products with the participation of plant enzymes of cells from in vitro cultures. Most of the research is concerned with the biotransformation of simple phenolic compounds – hydroquinone and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid into arbutin (β-D-glucoside of hydroquinone) The entire research is aimed at proposing in vitro cultures as a valuable source for obtaining biologically active compounds.
In order to evaluate the biosynthetic potential of cells from in vitro cultures, work of a phytochemical nature is carried out on the analysis of bioactive compounds in plant organs growing in vivo.
Another important scientific specialization developed in the Chair of Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Biotechnology for a number of years is mycochemistry and biotechnology of higher mushrooms. Within the framework of the aforementioned scientific specialties, research is conducted on the content of actively biological compounds in the fruiting bodies of higher mushrooms (Basidiomycota) as well as in their in vitro cultures (so-called mycelial cultures). The groups of compounds studied are: non-hallucinogenic indole compounds, phenolic acids, sterols, fatty acids and polysaccharides. The goal of mycochemical research is to scientifically prove the medicinal and dietary values of higher mushrooms, while the goal of fungal biotechnology research is to propose mycelial cultures as a rich, alternative source for obtaining bioactive metabolites. A new scientific issue of interest is the study of the accumulation and release of bioelements from fruiting bodies and in vitro cultures of edible mushrooms.
Another direction of research is the evaluation of dietary supplement preparations containing selected algae species in terms of their chemical composition and the degree of release of biologically active substances into artificial digestive juices.
All the above-mentioned research in the fields of plant biotechnology, phytochemistry, mycochemistry and fungal biotechnology is carried out in cooperation with domestic and foreign scientific centers.
Methods
Research Apparatus
Grants and other research projects
NCN grants
Student grants
Projects within the framework of Commercial Contractual Activity (KDU)
Other projects
Patents and patent applications
Publications
Original publications 2025
1. Makowski W., Królicka A., Hinc K., Szopa A., Kubica P., Sroka J., Tokarz B., Tokarz K.: Reynoutria japonica Houtt. transformed hairy root cultures as an effective platform for producing phenolic compounds with strong bactericidal properties. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(1), 362, 2025.
2. Kryczyk-Poprawa A., Sanchez-Hidalgo A., Baran W., Adamek E., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Kała K., Muszyńska B., Opoka W.: The toxicological impact of the ultraviolet filter oxybenzone on antioxidant profiles in in vitro cultures of Lentinula edodes. Toxics, 13(3), 145, 2025.
3. Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Korczyński M., Trepa M., Galanty A., Lazur J., Kubica P., Kała K., Paśko P., Muszyńska B.: A comparative study on the mycelium and fruiting body of Meripilus giganteus: chemical composition and biological activity. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 47(5), 302, 2025.
4. Kryczyk-Poprawa A., Baran W., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Kała K., Adamek E., Król M., Sanchez-Hidalgo A., Muszyńska B.: Bioremediation of persistent organic pollutant-oxybenzone with Pleurotus djamor. Applied Sciences, 15(9), 4707, 2025.
5. Venugopal K., Satora P., Kała K., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Szewczyk A., Ostachowicz B., Muszyńska B., Bernaś E.: Fermented, freeze-dried snacks from Lactarius deliciosus as a source of functional compounds and lactic acid bacteria. Molecules, 30(7), 1566, 2025.
6. Gozdur K., Carillo P., Szopa A., Ślesak I., Nicastro R., Biba R., Tyrajska J., Ślesak H.: Sex and salt stress response – physiological and biochemical aspects of hydroponic culture of dioecious Rumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh. Physiologia Plantarum, 177(2), e70204, 2025.
7. Jędrejko K., Kała K., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Krakowska A., Szewczyk A., Muszyńska B.: Determination of cordycepin, ergothioneine, and other bioactive compounds in Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies cultivated on different substrates. International Journal of Food Sciences and Technology, 60(1), vvaf097, 2025.
8. Trepa M., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Kała K., Krakowska A., Muszyńska B.: Elicitor-induced modulation of secondary metabolites in Laetiporus sulphureus and Flammulina velutipes with extraction efficiency evaluation in artificial digestive juices. Chemistry & Biodiversity, e202500356, 2025.
9. Klimek-Szczykutowicz M., Malinowska M. A., Gałka A., Blazević I., Dulović A., Paprocka P., Wrzosek M., Szopa A.: Nasturtium officinale microshoot culture multiplied in PlantForm bioreactor – phytochemical profiling and biological activity. Molecules, 30(4), 936, 2025.
10. Miller A., Kwiecień I., Bednarski M., Zygmunt M., Sapa J., Sablik M., Lombardo G. P., Condurso C., Merlino M., Kotańska M.: Promising dietary supplements with potential senotherapeutic effects: aqueous extracts from enzymatically hydrolysed hemp seed cake flour and hemp seed protein concentrate. Antioxidant, 14(6), 734, 2025.
11. Kokotkiewicz A., Godlewska S., Sparzak-Stefanowska B., Panow O., Król A., Szopa A., Krauze-Baranowska M., Łuczkiewicz M.: Accumulation of phenolic compounds in microshoot cultures of Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja (Ledum palustre L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(16), 7999, 2025.
12. Krakowska A., Skiba-Kurek I., Suchanek M., Zontek-Wilkowska J., Muszyńska B., Skalski T.: Gamma-polyglutamic acid reduces heavy metal uptake and stabilize microbial biosafety in edible mushroom cultures. Applied Sciences-Basel, 15(19), 10311, 2025.
13. Kała K., Cicha-Jeleń M., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Ostachowicz B., Węgrzynowicz E., Lazur J., Szewczyk A., Muszyńska B.: Influence of plant-based substrate composition and extraction method on accumulation of bioactive compounds in Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. fruiting bodies. Molecules, 30(15), 3094, 2025.
14. Trofimiuk E., Fijałkowska A., Oniszczuk H., Car H., Muszyńska B.: Effects of dietary supplementation with arboreal medicinal mushrooms on stress coping strategies, depressive and anxiety-like behavior of rats. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, rgaf082, 2025.
15. Kała K., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Piotrowska J., Gajda M., Sekara A., Hnatyk K., Lazur J., Muszyńska B.: Czy mycelia z kultur in vitro Amanita muscaria i Amanita pantherina versus owocniki mogą być potencjalnym źródłem substancji w profilaktyce i terapii depresji? Psychiatria Polska, 2025.
16. Krakowska A., Müller D., Kula A., Skiba-Kurek I., Paczosa-Bator B., Muszyńska B., Skalski T.: Fungal-derived chitosan from in vitro mushroom cultures as an antimicrobial matrix for silver nanoparticles in advanced bioactive materials. Materials, 18, 5342, 2025.
Original publications 2024
1. Lazur J., Kała K., Krakowska A., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Szewczyk A., Piotrowska J., Rospond B., Fidurski M., Marzec K., Muszyńska B.: Analysis of bioactive substances and essential elements of mycelia and fruiting bodies of Hericium ssp. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 127, 105981, 2024.
2. Czarnek K., Tatarczak-Michalewska M., Szopa A., Klimek-Szczykutowicz M., Jafernik K., Majerek D., Blicharska E.: Bioaccumulation capacity of onion (Allium cepa L.) tested with heavy metals in biofortification. Molecules, 29(1), 101, 2024.
3. Nunes R., Carvalho I. S., Paśko P., Tyszka-Czochara M., Szewczyk A., Szlósarczyk M., Podolak I., Galanty A.: In vitro biological activity screening of Arbutus unedo leaves in light of their traditional use. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, 30(1), 68-82, 2024.
4. Jafernik K., Kubica P., Dziurka M., Kulinowski Ł., Korona-Głowniak I., Elansary H. O., Waligórski P., Skalicka-Woźniak K., Szopa A.: Comparative assessment of lignan profiling and biological activities of Schisandra henryi leaf and in vitro Plantform bioreactor-grown culture extracts. Pharmaceuticals, 17(4), 442, 2024.
5. Borczak B., Szewczyk A., Domagała D., Kapusta-Duch J., Leszczyńska T., Kotuła M., Grulova D.: Potential antidiabetic, antioxidative and antiproliferative properties of functional wheat flour muffins enriched with white clover flowers (Trifolium repens L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 9909, 2024.
6. Michalak M., Błońska-Sikora E., Stryjecka M., Zagórska-Dziok M., Klimek-Szczykutowicz M., Szopa A.: Phytochemical profile and antioxidant and protective activities of various types of extracts from Hyssopus officinalis L. and Grindelia robusta Nutt. herb grown in Poland. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 25, 2238-2253, 2024.
7. Makowski W., Mrzygłód K., Szopa A., Kubica P., Krychowiak-Maśnicka M., Tokarz K. M., Tokarz B., Ryngwelska I., Paluszkiewicz E., Królicka A.: Effect of agitation and temporary immersion on growth and synthesis of antibacterial phenolic compounds in genus Drosera. Biomolecules, 14(9), 1132, 2024.
8. Jafernik K., Kubica P., Sharafan M., Kruk A., Malinowska M. A., Granica S., Szopa A.: Phenolic compound profiling and antioxidant potential of different types of Schisandra henryi in vitro cultures. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 108(1), 322, 2024.
9. Motyka S., Szopa A., Ochatt S. J.: Distinction of chia varieties in vivo and in vitro based on the flow cytometry and rosmarinic acid production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 108(1), 337, 2024.
10. Rząsa-Duran E., Muszyńska B., Szewczyk A., Kała K., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Piotrowska J., Opoka W., Kryczyk-Poprawa A.: Ilex paraguariensis extracts: a source of bioelements and biologically active compounds for food supplements. Applied Sciences, 14(16), 7238, 2024.
11. Kała K., Cicha-Jeleń M., Hnatyk K., Krakowska A., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Szewczyk A., Lazur J., Muszyńska B.: Coffee with Cordyceps militaris and Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies as a source of essential bioactive substances. Pharmaceuticals, 17(7), 955, 2024.
12. Nicosia N., Kwiecień I., Bednarski M., Głuch-Lutwin M., Mordyl B., Mika K., Hambaryan R., Miller A., Alesci A., Lauriano E. R., Zammit P., Ragusa S., Trojan E., Fumia A., Sapa J., Miceli N., Kotańska M.: Anti-diabetes and neuroprotection potential and primary safety studies of Isatis tinctoria L. hydroalcoholic leaf extract. Fitoterapia, 177, 106138, 2024.
13. Jędrejko K., Kała K., Sułkowska-Ziaja K., Krakowska A., Szewczyk A., Guśpiel K., Muszyńska B.: Analysis of bioactive compunds in Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies and dietary supplements: in vitro bioaccessibility determination in artificial digestive juices. International Journal of Food Sciences and Technology, 59(6), 4011-4019, 2024.
14. Krakowska A., Suchanek M., Piech R., Paczosa-Bator B., Skalski T., Muszyńska B.: Accumulation of Bisphenol A by Pleurotus spp. – flow injection analysis. Molecules, 29(11), 2520, 2024.
15. Szewczyk A., Trepa M., Zych D.: Optimization of the production of secondary metabolites from furanocoumarin and furoquinoline alkaloid groups in in vitro Ruta corsica cultures grown in temporary immersion bioreactors. Molecules, 29, 5261, 2024.
16. Duliński R., Byczyński Ł., Kwiecień I., Karbowski A.: Analiza wybranych parametrów bioaktywnych czarnego czosnku uzyskanego w krótkim trybie fermentacji. Żywność. Nauka. Technologia. Jakość, 31(138), 148-159, 2024.
17. Dziki A., Malinowska M. A., Szopa A., Sikora E.: Comparative study of the phytochemical profile and biological activity of Ajuga reptans L. leaf and root extracts. Applied Sciences, 14, 5105, 2024.
18. Makowski W., Królicka A., Sroka J., Matyjewicz A., Potrykus M., Kubica P., Szopa A., Tokarz B., Tokarz K. M.: Agitated and temporary immersion bioreactor cultures of Reynoutria japonica Hutt. as a rich source of phenolic compunds. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 158, 45, 2024.
19. Kubica P., Szopa A., Setkiewicz A., Ekiert H.: Efficient production of some bioactive depsides and simple phenolic acids by microshoots of Aronia x prunifolia (purple aronia) agitated cultures as the result of feeding strategy with four different biogenetic precoursors. Molecules, 29(19), 4622, 2024.
20. Jafernik K., Kokotkiewicz A., Dziurka M., Kruk A., Hering A., Jędrzejewski K., Waligórski P., Graczyk P., Kubica P., Szopa A.: Phytochemical profiling and biological activities of extracts from bioreactor-grown suspension cell cultures of Schisandra henryi. Molecules, 29(22), 5260, 2024.
21. Gozdur K., Szopa A., Ślesak H.: Effect of salt stress on growth and phenolic compounds production in callus suspesion culture of the dioecious species thyrse sorrel (Rumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh.). Plant Cell, Tssue and Organ Culture, 158(3), 54, 2024.
22. Ptak A., Szewczyk A., Simlat M., Pawłowska B., Warchoł M.: LED light improves shoot multiplication, steviol glycosides and phenolic compounds biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in vitro culture. Scientific Reports, 14, 30860, 2024.
Cooperation
Cooperation with National Centers
Cooperation with Foreign Centers
Keywords