ABSTRACT

In this study, the potential of focus-variation microscopic imaging was evaluated in a study of morphological patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides (Basidiomycota). We created three-dimensional reconstructions and visualizations using the imaging technique on a fresh H. coralloides basidioma. The aim was to approximate the spore dispersal efficiency of this basidiomata type regarding the investment of tissue biomass and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores). Results were correlated with published data gained from magnetic resonance imaging and micro-computed tomography. It is demonstrated that focus-variation microscopic imaging results in a more distinct picture of the morphology of the edible and potentially medicinal H. coralloides basidiomata. However, a direct measurement of spore production was not possible. Spore production could only be estimated in combination with a mathematical model because the surface was not directly measurable due to the cellular heterogeneity. However, focus-variation microscopic imaging allows a better and faster estimation of spore production compared with the published methods. Furthermore, it was found that a scanning resolution of 5× is sufficient for determining the fungal surface precisely because at a higher resolution artifacts occur, resulting in adulteration of the image.

摘要

在这项研究中，在潜在药用真菌猴头菌（担子菌）的形态学模式研究中评估了焦点变化显微成像的潜力。我们使用成像技术在新鲜的H. coralloides basidioma上创建了三维重建和可视化。目的是在组织生物量的投资及其繁殖输出（担子孢子的生产）方面近似估计这种担子纲类型的孢子传播效率。结果与从磁共振成像和微型计算机断层扫描中获得的已发表数据相关联。结果表明，焦点变化显微成像可以更清晰地显示可食用和潜在药用的形态H.coralloides basidiomata。然而，不可能直接测量孢子产量。由于细胞异质性，无法直接测量表面，因此只能结合数学模型来估计孢子产量。然而，与已发表的方法相比，焦点变化显微成像可以更好、更快地估计孢子产生。此外，发现 5 倍的扫描分辨率足以精确确定真菌表面，因为在更高的分辨率下会出现伪影，从而导致图像掺假。