Laetiporus (Polyporaceae): Taxonomy, Bioactive Metabolites, Pharmacological Mechanisms, and Biotechnological Prospects

The genus Laetiporus, commonly referred to as “chicken of the woods,” includes conspicuous polypores known for their vivid coloration, predominantly saprotrophic lifestyle, and growing importance as edible, medicinal, and industrial fungi. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Laetiporus, covering its taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, chemistry, biological activity, and current and emerging industrial applications. We examine taxonomic and phylogenetic developments, emphasizing species delimitation, distribution patterns, cryptic diversity, and regionally endemic lineages that shape ecological roles and metabolite profiles. The review evaluates the genus’s chemical diversity, including polysaccharides (β-glucans), triterpenoids, sterols, phenolic compounds, pigments, and other specialized metabolites. Available data linking these compounds to demonstrated biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antitumor, and enzyme-inhibitory effects are assessed, with consideration of the strengths and limitations of current experimental methodologies. Recent advances in cultivation, including substrate optimization, biomass production, and process-scale development, are discussed in relation to applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, enzyme production, and mycomaterials. Safety and toxicology are critically assessed, including reports of adverse reactions and allergenicity, with recommendations for standardized toxicological testing and quality control. Major knowledge gaps are identified, such as limited genomic and transcriptomic resources, poorly characterized biosynthetic pathways, non-standardized bioactivity assays, insufficient toxicological data, and emerging regulatory challenges. Addressing these gaps through integrated approaches in taxonomy, omics, chemistry, toxicology, and biotechnology positions Laetiporus as a model polypore for the development of innovative food, health, and industrial bioproducts.