Biofortified Pleurotus Species as Sustainable Protein Sources: Mineral Bioaccumulation and Nutritional Enhancement

Fungi of the genus Pleurotus are increasingly studied not only for their ecological versatility and saprotrophic capabilities but also for their potential in biotechnological applications such as nutrient bioaccumulation. As sustainable alternatives to animal protein sources, Pleurotus species combine high nutritional value with the ability to grow on agro-industrial residues. This review explores the bioaccumulation potential of Pleurotus species of essential compounds of biotechnological interest, particularly selenium and iron, focusing on applications in sustainable nutrition and functional ingredient development. Notably, the substrate composition can nearly double protein content, and selenium-enriched mushrooms can reach up to 858 µg/g without compromising biological efficiency, depending on the dose and chemical form. Similarly, iron biofortification achieved up to 4176 µg/g in P. pulmonarius with minimal productivity loss. Among the species analysed, P. ostreatus and P. eryngii stood out for their productivity and nutritional quality, while P. citrinopileatus recorded the highest protein content at 34.7% dry weight. Overall, mineral biofortification of Pleurotus spp. emerges as a promising strategy to support sustainable food systems, address global micronutrient deficiencies, and expand the biotechnological use of edible fungi.