LED light spectra influence the stimulation of mycelial growth and anticancer activity in Hericium erinaceus mycelium

Blue light produced the most pronounced enhancement in growth performance, yielding the highest mycelial density (0.344 g/cm²), fresh weight (6.75 g), and biomass increase (12.28%), along with the fastest radial expansion and substrate colonization. Extracts from blue light-treated mycelia showed the strongest cytotoxic effects against SW480 (IC₅₀ = 133.71 μg/mL) and HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 114.84 μg/mL), while exerting minimal effects on normal CCD-841 CoN cells. These findings suggest that targeted light spectra can modulate fungal physiology, likely via photoreceptor-mediated pathways, to enhance both agronomic performance and production of cytotoxic metabolites. This study provides a framework for optimizing <i>H. erinaceus</i> cultivation for functional food and therapeutic applications.