The Toxicological Impact of the Ultraviolet Filter Oxybenzone on Antioxidant Profiles in In Vitro Cultures of Lentinula edodes

A detailed understanding of the toxic effects of organic UV filters, such as oxybenzone, on living organisms is crucial for assessing the feasibility of bioremediation methods. Due to the widespread use of oxybenzone as an ultraviolet filter in sunscreens, it has become an emerging contaminant of concern in the environment. This concern extends to fungi, which have the potential to neutralize a wide variety of xenobiotics released into the environment. The primary objective of the study was to elucidate the alterations of antioxidant profiles of the white-rot fungus <i>Lentinula edodes</i> in response to oxybenzone exposure. Samples with oxybenzone at a final concentration of 0.1 mg mL^-1 were cultured in vitro with the mycelium of <i>L. edodes</i> for 14 days. The contents of the following antioxidant compounds were assessed: indole derivatives (6-methyl-D,L-tryptophan, tryptophan), ergothioneine, and phenolic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid), as well as lovastatin and ergosterol. The addition of oxybenzone negatively affected biomass growth, reducing it from 3.205 ± 0.4022 g to 0.5803 ± 0.1019 g. A considerable reduction in oxybenzone amounts was found in the medium after incubation (from 25 mg to 0.2993 ± 0.1934 mg). After lyophilization, the mycelium contained 1.1591 ± 0.0323 mg of oxybenzone. Additionally, eleven biotransformation products were assessed in the mycelium and medium samples using UPLC-Q ToF. After incubation, the transformation products were identified based on monoisotopic molecular mass and fragmentation spectra. The observed increase in the content of some antioxidants, e.g., ergothioneine, while reducing the content of others, such as lovastatin, suggests that the impact of xenobiotics on the antioxidant profile of in vitro cultures of <i>L. edodes</i> is complex. Marked alterations in biomass growth suggest a potential toxicological risk associated with oxybenzone. This study contributes to the understanding of the environmental impact of UV filters and emphasizes the need for safer alternatives.