Research Progress and Trends in Morchella Studies

Abstract

Morels are highly valued edible and medicinal fungi that have attracted growing attention owing to their nutritional value, bioactive properties, and economic significance. This review summarizes recent advances and future prospects in morel research, with a particular focus on four major areas: taxonomy, chemical constituents and bioactivities, artificial cultivation technologies, and strain breeding. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant studies conducted both in China and abroad, this review highlights the transition of morel taxonomy from traditional morphology-based identification to more precise molecular phylogenetic classification. It also summarizes the major bioactive compounds identified in morels, including polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, sterols, and fatty acids, as well as their reported biological activities, such as immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. In addition, the development of artificial cultivation techniques is reviewed, illustrating the progression from early exploratory efforts to facility-based, large-scale, and standardized production systems. The potential applications of modern biotechnological approaches, including molecular markers and genomics, in the selection of elite germplasm and the breeding of superior strains are also discussed. Overall, morel research has gradually established a relatively comprehensive framework encompassing fundamental biological studies, functional component development, and industrial applications, thereby providing an important reference for future research and the sustainable development of the morel industry.