Lithium bioaccumulation in Lentinus crinitus mycelia grown in media with different lithium sources and pH values

Lentinus crinitus bioaccumulates lithium in mycelia, but bioaccumulation may be affected by pH of the culture medium. Lithium is used in clinical practice as a mood stabilizer and antidepressant. This study aimed to assess the effect of culture medium pH and lithium source (LiCl or Li₂CO₃) on lithium bioaccumulation in vegetative mycelia of L. crinitus grown in malt extract broth. Lentinus crinitus U9-1 was cultured in malt extract broth supplemented with Li₂CO₃ or LiCl (50 mg L^-1 lithium) in the pH range of 3.0 to 6.0. The pH was adjusted using HCl solution. The results showed that medium pH affected mycelial biomass production, lithium bioaccumulation in mycelial biomass, and lithium transfer from the culture medium to mycelial biomass. The effect of lithium source on the bioaccumulation capacity of mycelial biomass varied according to pH. At pH 4.0, both lithium sources stimulated mycelial biomass production compared to the control without the addition of lithium. At pH 5.5, Li₂CO₃ provided the highest lithium bioaccumulation in mycelial biomass. Lithium transfer from the culture medium to mycelia was highest in Li₂CO₃-supplemented cultures at pH 4.5. LiCl reduced hyphal width compared with Li₂CO₃ and the control. However, pH and lithium sources did not affect the formation of clamp connections in hyphae. For the first time, the influence of the pH of the culture medium on lithium bioaccumulation by Lentinus crinitus is reported. Finally, we conclude that the culture medium pH affected lithium transfer and bioaccumulation in mycelial biomass differently depending on the lithium source. Additionally, we report the presence of clamp connections in the hyphae of L. crinitus as an indicator of even growth.