Himalayan Mushrooms as a Natural Source of Ergosterol and Vitamin D2: A Review of Nutraceutical and Functional Food Perspectives

Mushroom diversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance and provides valu- able bioactive compounds for human use. Beyond their nutritional value, mushrooms contribute to functional foods and have applications in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. For example, β-glucans from Lentinula edodes are commercialized as immune-enhancing nutraceuticals, polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) from Trametes versicolor is used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy, and enzymes such as...