Bioactive Coatings with Antimicrobial Activity from Pleurotus spp. Biomass—A Literature Review

Pleurotus is a genus of edible mushrooms widely cultivated worldwide on various substrates under controlled conditions. Its exceptional adaptability allows the production of biomass with increased macronutrient and mycochemical content. It is an excellent source of crude fiber and polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans, which are present in the dry mass of fruiting bodies, estimated as a percentage by weight (10.3% and 25.9%, respectively). The Pleurotus genus possesses a unique mycochemical profile, with numerous studies confirming its antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, antihyperglycemic, and immunomodulatory activities. In the last 10 years, approximately 30 types of polysaccharides were isolated from Pleurotus spp., and their preliminary structures have been studied; however, their fine structures have rarely been reported. The polysaccharides showed immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, antitumor, and hypolipidemic activities, as well as regulation of intestinal flora, although the underlying mechanisms require further study. The unique potential of polysaccharides from Pleurotus spp. can be used as precursors of bioactive layers on various surfaces, including biomaterials, implants, medical devices and cosmetics. This paper reviews the state of the art and describes selected properties of polysaccharides derived from in vitro biomass from Pleurotus spp. cultures as a component of layer materials with confirmed antimicrobial activity. The mechanism of action of these polysaccharide layers on selected microorganisms is described. Pleurotus spp. are among the most valuable and common edible mushrooms species with polysaccharides being one of their active components. Their unique structures, biological activities and structure–activity relationships have been analyzed and discussed to explore future research directions and application prospects.