The aim of the thesis was to determine if the substrate treatment with temperature lower than 100°C could replace the sterilization at 120°C. Another task was to compare different types of substrates and supplements. For the substrate treatment were selected temperatures of 90°C for 48 hours, 90°C for 20 hours, 121°C for 2 hours, 80°C for 20 hours and 70°C for 24 hours. The treatment with temperature lower than 100°C could replace the sterilization at 120°C. In the experiments were used substrates compound of beech sawdust or straw pellets supplemented by wheat bran or wheat groats. The research was also focused to influence of substrate fermentation on growth characteristics of Hericium erinaceus. The most suitable substrate for mycelium growth and subsequent fructification of Hericium erinaceus were beech sawdust. Faster mycelial growth and higher yield of fruiting body were achieved in the case of supplemented substrate of sawdust beech by wheat bran or wheat groats. There were observed no effects of fermentation substrates on mycelium growth of Hericium erinaceus. Another part of the research was dedicated to mycelium growth and fructification of Hericium coralloides. The best substrate for Hericium coralloides is beech sawdust without supplements.

The fungus, Hericium erinaceus, has outstanding chemical properties, displaying health benefits in digestive, hepatic, and nervous tissues. Its ease of accessibility and use makes it one of the most common substances used for treatment in Eastern medicine. More and more recent research is confirming the incredible health benefits of this fungus, especially the impact that is seen on nervous tissue growth and recovery post-treatment. Such neurite outgrowth and myelin sheath regeneration could illustrate the beginning of the cure to lifelong neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis. In this first-of-its-kind study, we cultured and differentiated fetal rat neural stem cells while treating the samples with varying concentrations of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus mycelium. The cells were then harvested and lysed at various time points as the proteins were isolated and purified prior to analysis by LC-ESI mass spectrometry. A proteomic analysis was conducted where statistically significant changes in protein expression were observed between the control groups and the treated trials of both time points. While our initial targets of interest were not found, an up to 4-fold increase in protein expression was seen in a group of Histone H1 variants following treatment with Hericium erinaceus. These Histone H1 variants are known to be linker histones which interact with the core histone bead and play a role in chromatin remodeling. It is clear that Hericium erinaceus plays a role in increasing the protein expression of Histone H1 variants which could lead to downstream effects yet to be revealed. This exploratory research should serve as a helpful launching point for those determined to understand the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon and the results it may have on the nervous system.