• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.201-212
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• 2021

Truffles are the fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi that form underground. Truffles are globally valued, culturally celebrated as aphrodisiacs, and highly sought-after delicacies in the culinary world. For centuries, naturalists have speculated about their mode of formation, and in cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, many species have been prized as a delectable food source. Truffle fruiting bodies form underground and emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Truffle volatiles are believed to have evolved to attract animals that disperse their spores. The main VOCs identified from truffles include sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS); in addition, 1-octen-3-ol and 2-methyl-1-propanol have been found in most truffle species. Humans use pigs and dogs trained to detect truffle VOCs in order to find these prized subterranean macrofungi. Truffles have pharmacological potential, but until more reliable cultivation methods become available their high price means they are unlikely to see widespread use as medicinals.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.88-92
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• 2023

In this review, we examine the latest technological developments in the utilization of truffles, a gourmet ingredient reputed to be one of the "world's three greatest delicacies," considering changing global consumption trends. Global demand for truffles is expected to increase steadily, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2023 to 2030. As truffles are expensive, the demand for truffles is expected to be concentrated in developed countries such as the United States, European countries, and Japan. In Korea, truffles are utilized in various industries, including food, functional foods, and cosmetics. Korean consumer demand for truffles has consistently remained high since 2019, and truffle products have been performing well in the market. Consequently, there exists substantial potential demand for newly developed truffle-related products and technologies. This review aims to provide objective research information through the systematic analysis of patent applications in Korea and internationally, focusing on technologies involving truffles, and can aid in setting directions for research and development.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi that belong to the genus Tuber. They exhibit symbiotic relationships, particularly with oak (Quercus spp.) and hazel (Corylus spp.) trees. We performed an inoculation using a spore suspension to synthesize mycorrhizae between European truffles, Tuber borchii and Tuber melanosporum, and an indigenous oak species, Quercus acutissima. This resulted in the formation of mycorrhizae within 2 months after inoculation. Despite having the same host plant, differences in features were observed between Tuber species, including color and mantle type. These results indicate that Q. acutissima is a suitable host plant for truffle cultivation in Korea and provide a better understanding of the mycorrhization of T. borchii and T. melanosporum.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2022

This study analyzed Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum,and Tuber magnatum, specifically the content of 𝛽-glucan, amino acids, nucleic acid-related substances, vitamin C, and ergosterol. The 𝛽-glucan content was highest in T. magnatum (20.54%). The free amino acid content was highest in T. aestivum, with the major amino acids being cystine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The total amino acid content was the highest in T. magnatum, the primary amino acids being cystine, glutamic acid, and lysine. The content of nucleotide related compounds was the highest in T. magnatum (5.09 mg/100 g). The highest content of vitamin C (10.15 mg/100 g) and ergosterol (596.91 mg/100 g) was found in T. magnatum, which had the highest useful component content among the three truffles. Additional studies investigating the variation in useful components according to collection time and growth environment are needed.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2006

Truffles are cultivated by growing seedlings of compatible tree species in pasteurized substrate amended with truffle spores, maintaining the inoculated seedlings in the greenhouse until the mycorrhizal relationship is established and certified, planting the infected seedlings onto appropriate and properly prepared sites, and managing the resulting truffieres (truffle orchards) to maintain the truffle infections and encourage truffle fruiting. Questions remain to be addressed at each step of the process in developing best management practices for truffle cultivation.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2006

Certain European truffles including Tuber melanosporum (Perigord black truffle) and T. aestivum(Burgundy truffle), are valuable food commodities, selling for hundreds of dollars per kilogram worldwide. These underground(hypogeous) mushrooms may become profitable agroforestry crops in the south-central United States. Native to Europe, T. melanosporum and T. aestivum are being cultivated to a limited extent and with mixed results in New Zealand and the United States. Tuber species grow mutualistically as ectomycorrhizae with the roots of compatible host trees including white and evergreen oaks(Quercus spp.) and hazels(Corylus spp.). Tuber melanosporum and T. aestivum have environmental requirements compatible with conductive sites in the south central US. Climatic and edaphic conditions for cultivating T. melanosporum are more constraining, but T. melanosporum also commands a much higher price.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.165-173
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• 2015

Mattirolomyces terfezioides is a type of sweet truffles that predominantly form ectomycorrhizae with Robinia pseudoacacia. It is also worthy of artificial cultivation. This is the first report on characteristics of mycelial growth and enzyme activities of M. terfezioides collected from R. pseudoacacia forest in Korea. M. terfezioides showed the highest mycelial growth when cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at $30^{\circ}C$ or in modified Melin-Norkran's liquid medium (pH 8.0). The biomass of M. terfezioides was higher in liquid medium containing nitrate-nitrogen than ammonium-nitrogen by 1.8 fold. The mycelia of M. terfezioides showed both carboxymethylcellulase and laccase activities on solid media for enzyme screening.