[Modern directions in studying biologically active substances from basidial fungi]

Nonconventional uses of basidial fungi as producers of valuable biologically active compounds are reviewed. Basidiomycetes are now most extensively used in the medical industry to obtain antibiotics, enzymes, lipids, and various drugs acting on the immune system (hypocholesterolemic, antiviral, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, etc.). Recent data on toxic and psychotropic substances of Basidiomycetes and of their aromatic compounds responsible for the so-called fungal flavor are also considered. Finally, the increasing significance of Basidiomycetes for human practice is underlined.