Topics and Trends in Most Cited Fungal Biology and Applications Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Fungal Biology and Applications research in the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 is defined by expanding research in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and medicinal mushroom polysaccharides. Plant growth promotion and mycorrhizal colonization surged as major growth drivers, while generic antioxidant activity screening contracted sharply in favor of targeted immunomodulatory and structural bioactivity mechanisms.

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Updated July 22, 2026

At a glance

Field
Fungal Biology and Applications
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
5,662
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, mycorrhizal colonization, mushroom polysaccharides, plant growth promotion, immunomodulation
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
31–146
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 5,662
14618m citations

Cross-kingdom nutrient exchange in the plant–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus–bacterium continuum

Shilong Duan et al.Nature Reviews Microbiology202410.1038/s41579-024-01073-7

Paola Bonfante, Xianan Xie, Lin ZhangChina Agricultural University, China

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungicross-kingdom nutrient exchangeTripartite symbiosismycorrhizal helper bacterianutrient transportphosphate transfernitrogen transfercarbon allocationendobacteriamycorrhizosphereNutrient cyclingAM fungal hyphaearbusculeMycorrhizal colonization
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#2 of 5,662
9118m citations

Fungal bioremediation approaches for the removal of toxic pollutants: Mechanistic understanding for biorefinery applications

Bala Krishnan Navina et al.Chemosphere202410.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141123

P. Senthil KumarVel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, India

Mycoremediationtoxic pollutantsbiorefinery applicationspollutant removal mechanismsbiodegradation pathwaysligninolytic enzymeslaccaseperoxidasesBiosorptionbioaccumulationxenobiotic degradationHeavy metal removalorganic pollutant degradationWhite-rot fungienzymatic transformationfungal metaboliteswaste valorization
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#4 of 5,662
6718m citations

A genomic compendium of cultivated human gut fungi characterizes the gut mycobiome and its relevance to common diseases

Qiulong Yan et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.04.043

Chao Wang, De-an Guo, Francis Martin, Xiaochi MaSecond Affiliated Hospital, China

gut mycobiomecultivated human gut fungigenomic compendiumfungal cultivationgut fungal diversitywhole-genome sequencingfungal-bacterial interactionsinflammatory bowel diseasetype 2 diabetesfungal metagenomicsSaccharomyces cerevisiaeCandida albicansfungal strain isolationmicrobiome-disease associationsfungal reference genomes
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#5 of 5,662
4918m citations

Mechanisms for plant growth promotion activated by Trichoderma in natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems

Hexon Angel Contreras-Cornejo et al.Microbiological Research202410.1016/j.micres.2024.127621

Hexon Ángel Contreras‐CornejoUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico

Trichodermaplant growth promotionterrestrial ecosystemsnatural ecosystemsmanaged ecosystemsbiocontrol mechanismsMycorrhizal colonizationinduced systemic resistancesecondary metabolite productionplant-microbe interactionssoil microbiomemycorrhizal associationsphytohormone modulationnutrient solubilizationstress tolerance enhancement
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#6 of 5,662
4718m citations

Edible mycelium bioengineered for enhanced nutritional value and sensory appeal using a modular synthetic biology toolkit

Vayu Maini Rekdal et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-46314-8

Jay D. KeaslingUniversity of California, Berkeley, United States

Aspergillus oryzaefilamentous fungiCRISPR-Cas9 gene integrationmodular synthetic biology toolkittunable promotersneutral lociergothioneineheme biosynthesisEdible fungal biomassfungal meat alternativesnutraceutical productionflavor molecule engineeringcolor pigment engineeringbioengineered food productionfermented foodsMycoprotein productionimitation meat pattiesintracellular metabolite elevationsustainable food system
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#7 of 5,662
4718m citations

A re-evaluation of Diaporthe: refining the boundaries of species and species complexes

Asha J. Dissanayake et al.Fungal Diversity202410.1007/s13225-024-00538-7

Jian‐Kui LiuUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China

Diaporthespecies complexesspecies boundariesMultigene phylogenetic analysisGenealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR)coalescence-based modelsPoisson Tree Processes (PTP)multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes (mPTP)ITSteftubcalhissectional classificationtype isolateswoody hoststaxonomic re-evaluation
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#8 of 5,662
4418m citations

Glucan polysaccharides isolated from Lactarius hatsudake Tanaka mushroom: Structural characterization and in vitro bioactivities

Qiao Yang et al.Carbohydrate Polymers202410.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122171

Jiali RenCentral South University of Forestry and Technology, China

Lactarius hatsudake TanakaGlucansStructural characterizationin vitro bioactivitiesMushroom polysaccharidespolysaccharide isolationglycosidic linkage analysismolecular weight determinationMonosaccharide compositionAntioxidant activityImmunomodulationAnticancer activityNMR spectroscopyFTIR analysisscanning electron microscopyHPLC
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#9 of 5,662
4318m citations

Structural characteristics and intestinal flora metabolism mediated immunoregulatory effects of Lactarius deliciosus polysaccharide

Xiaodan Dong et al.International Journal of Biological Macromolecules202410.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135063

Chune Peng, Haiyu Ji, Lizeng PengShandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Lactarius deliciosus polysaccharideStructural characterizationintestinal flora metabolismImmunomodulationStructure-activity relationshipGut microbiota modulationfungal polysaccharidesmicrobiota-immune axispolysaccharide-microbiome interaction
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#10 of 5,662
4218m citations

Assessing the nutritional quality of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom)

Magdalene Eno Effiong et al.Frontiers in Nutrition202410.3389/fnut.2023.1279208

Magdalene Eno EffiongCovenant University, Nigeria

Pleurotus ostreatusproximate compositioncarbohydrate contentcrude fibercrude proteinMonosaccharide compositiondisaccharide profileglucosetrehalosechitobiosemineral contentpotassiumvitamin profileB vitaminsAmino acid compositionlysineaspartic acidFunctional foodmicronutrient deficiency
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#11 of 5,662
4218m citations

Meta‐analysis reveals globally sourced commercial mycorrhizal inoculants fall short

Liz Koziol et al.New Phytologist202410.1111/nph.20278

Liz KoziolUniversity of Kansas, United States

Mycorrhizal inoculantsmeta-analysisArbuscular mycorrhizal fungiinoculation efficacyplant growth promotionNutrient uptakephosphorus acquisitionMycorrhizal colonizationfield performancegreenhouse studiesinoculant viabilityglobal sourcingagricultural applicationmycorrhizal symbiosis
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#12 of 5,662
3918m citations

Biological Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Hericium erinaceus Obtained as a Result of Optimization Analysis

Mustafa Sevindik et al.Foods202410.3390/foods13101560

Мustafa SevindikOsmaniye Korkut Ata University, Turkey

Hericium erinaceusEthanol extractSoxhlet extractionArtificial neural networks (ANN)Genetic algorithm (GA)Total antioxidant statusDPPH assayFRAP assayacetylcholinesterase inhibitionbutyrylcholinesterase inhibitionA549 cell lineAntiproliferative activityantimicrobial activityAgar dilution methodTotal phenolic contentFolin-Ciocalteu reagentTotal flavonoid contentLC-MSextraction optimization
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#13 of 5,662
3818m citations

The gut microbiota‐aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) axis mediates the anticolitic effect of polyphenol‐rich extracts from <i>Sanghuangporus</i>

Shi Zhong et al.iMeta202410.1002/imt2.180

Yongxin Liu, Chongming Wu, Yougui LiZhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Sanghuangporuspolyphenol-rich extractinflammatory bowel diseasegut microbiotaAryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)DSS-induced colitisAlistipesAlistipes onderdonkii5-Hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA)AhR antagonistAhR signalingtraditional Chinese medicinal mushroomGut microbiota modulationtryptophan metabolite
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#14 of 5,662
3718m citations

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides in mushrooms

Masashi Mizuno et al.Current Opinion in Biotechnology202410.1016/j.copbio.2024.103076

Masashi MizunoOsaka Aoyama University, Japan

Mushroom polysaccharidesAnti-inflammatory activityImmunomodulationβ-glucanmacrophage activationcytokine modulationNK cell activityT cell proliferationcomplement system activationNF-κB signaling pathwayToll-like receptorsinnate immunityadaptive immunityLentinanSchizophyllanGrifolanStructure-activity relationshiporal bioavailabilitytherapeutic applications
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#15 of 5,662
3718m citations

<i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> Polysaccharide Supplementation Significantly Activates T-Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity and Enhances Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer

Wenshuai Li et al.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry202410.1021/acs.jafc.3c08385

Zhongguang Luo, Jie Liu, Jian‐Lin WuMacau University of Science and Technology, China

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharideGanoderma lucidum polysaccharidesT-cell-mediated antitumor immunityanti-PD-1 immunotherapyColorectal cancer (CRC)cytotoxic CD8+ T cellsTh1 helper cellsTregsmicrobiota dysbiosisshort-chain fatty acidskynureninetryptophanKyn/Trp ratioimmune checkpoint inhibitorprebioticcombination immunotherapy
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#16 of 5,662
3418m citations

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide hydrogel accelerates diabetic wound healing by regulating macrophage polarization

Fei Li et al.International Journal of Biological Macromolecules202410.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129682

Xiaoyu SuiQiqihar Medical University, China

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharidepolysaccharide hydrogeldiabetic wound healingmacrophage polarizationM1 macrophagesM2 macrophageswound closure rateinflammatory cytokinesanti-inflammatory cytokinescollagen depositionangiogenesisdiabetic mouse modeltopical wound treatmentImmunomodulationtissue regeneration
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#17 of 5,662
3218m citations

Fungal diversity notes 1818–1918: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungi

Ishara S. Manawasinghe et al.Fungal Diversity202410.1007/s13225-024-00541-y

Ishara S. ManawasingheZhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, China

Fungal Diversity NotesAscomycotaArbuscular mycorrhizal fungiMucoromycotaJinshanaLithophyllosporaParapolyplosphaeriaStegonsporiicolaMultigene phylogenetic analysisPhylogenetic placementHost-fungus associationsfungus-geography distributionstaxonomic descriptionsNew species discoveryendophytic fungiFreshwater fungiLignicolous fungifoliicolous fungiInternal transcribed spacer (ITS)Morphological characterization
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#18 of 5,662
3118m citations

A secondary mechanism of action for triazole antifungals in Aspergillus fumigatus mediated by hmg1

P David Rogers, Jarrod R Fortwendel et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-48029-2

Jarrod R. FortwendelSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital, United States

Azole antifungalsAspergillus fumigatusErgosterol biosynthesisCYP51Sterol 14-demethylaseHMG-CoA reductasesterol sensing domainsterol intermediate perturbationsInsulin-Induced Gene orthologsnegative feedback regulationinvasive aspergillosisantifungal resistanceHMG-CoA reductase mutationssterol sensing domain mutationssecondary mechanism of actionPathway downregulation
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#20 of 5,662
3118m citations

Structural characterization of polysaccharide from an edible fungus Dictyophora indusiata and the remodel function of gut microbiota in inflammatory mice

Lin Wang et al.Carbohydrate Polymers202410.1016/j.carbpol.2024.123141

Lei PanFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China

Dictyophora indusiataPolysaccharide structureedible fungus polysaccharideGut microbiota modulationinflammatory mice modelanti-inflammatory polysaccharidefungal polysaccharide structuremicrobiome-inflammation axis
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Fungal Biology and Applications

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 in fungal biology is anchored by two major research fronts: symbiotic mycorrhizal ecosystems and mushroom-derived bioactive compounds. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) dominate the literature, appearing in 20% of top-ranked publications, supported by related investigations into mycorrhizal colonization (10%), plant growth promotion (8%), and soil nutrient cycling (6%). These studies emphasize cross-kingdom nutrient exchange, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus transfer, highlighting the crucial role of fungal-bacterial-plant continua in sustainable agriculture and soil health. Concurrently, applied mycology exhibits high concentration in medicinal mushroom polysaccharides (8%), immunomodulation (8%), and anti-inflammatory bioactivities (6%). Research centered on high-value species like Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Hericium erinaceus underscores structural characterization and monosaccharide profiling to elucidate therapeutic mechanisms against chronic metabolic and inflammatory conditions. Additional clusters address environmental bioremediation, including heavy metal biosorption and industrial pollutant degradation, alongside emerging computational tools such as artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms for species identification and bio-process optimization.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing the Class of 2026 to the preceding Class of 2025 reveals a distinct shift from descriptive bioactivity screens toward targeted functional application and agricultural sustainability. The most prominent risers include mushroom polysaccharides (+8% share) and plant growth promotion (+8% share), both jumping from zero representation in 2023 to top-tier frequency in 2024. Mycorrhizal colonization also surged from 4% to 10% (a 2.5-fold increase), alongside new entries in nutrient cycling (6%) and environmental biosorption (4%), reflecting intensified focus on fungal involvement in climate resilience and agro-ecosystem productivity. Conversely, broad antioxidant activity screens experienced the largest contraction, dropping sharply from 12% in 2023 to 4% in 2024 (-8% net share). General gut microbiota modulation also contracted slightly from 8% to 6%, while traditional phylogenetic multigene analyses declined from 6% to 4%. This reallocation of research attention indicates a maturation of the field, as investigators pivot away from initial antioxidant capacity assays to interrogate specific molecular pathways, structural polysaccharide immunomodulation, and symbiotic bio-fertilization mechanisms.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Fungal Biology and Applications Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/fungal-biology-and-applications/2026. Accessed 2026-07-22.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459