Advances in fungal ergothioneine: from biosynthesis to AI-driven industrial biomanufacturing

Ergothioneine (EGT), a potent natural antioxidant from edible fungi, is highly valued for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. Despite its significant commercial potential in food, cosmetics, and medicine, industrial-scale production is hindered by low natural yields and inefficient extraction methods. This review systematically synthesises current knowledge on EGT's bioactivity, distribution, and biosynthetic pathways. Critically, we bridge the gap between fundamental research and industrial application by examining key bottlenecks in strain development, fermentation, and purification. We highlight how advanced strategies, including metabolic engineering and artificial intelligence (AI), are providing transformative solutions. The role of AI in predictive strain engineering, real-time fermentation monitoring, and process optimisation is discussed as a key driver for future biomanufacturing. This synthesis provides a forward-looking perspective on developing intelligent, green, and sustainable industrial strategies to unlock the full potential of fungal EGT.