Ergothioneine, an amino acid that has scientifically proven benefits to human health, is exclusively biosynthesized by fungi and certain bacteria in soils. With coupled field testing and lab incubation experiments, this project is investigating how soil microbes synthesize and transform ergothioneine from soil to products under different farming practices.
Funded by: Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Principal Investigator: Jinjun Kan
Collaborators: Rodale Institute; University of Delaware; U.S. Department of Agriculture
Project Year: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Related Publication: Pipinos, A., J. Kan, G. Zinati, A. Smith, and H. Bais. 2025. Streptomyces coelicolor-plant association facilitates ergothioneine (EGT) uptake in Triticum aestivum. Frontiers in Microbiology 16: 1637050.
