The Precious Truffles: Bioactive Compounds as a Source of Various Biological Activities

Truffles, esteemed members of the kingdom Fungi, are categorized under the phylum Ascomycota and the class Ascomycetes. They belong to the order Pezizales and the family Tuberaceae, with their most prominent and celebrated genus being Tuber. Truffles provide numerous health benefits due to their bioactive compounds. They have antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, liver-protective, anti-mutagenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Truffles are abundant in bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid, ergosterol, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, and polysaccharides etc. This review primarily focuses on exploring the nutritional composition, secondary metabolites, and biological activities of Tuber melanosporum Vittad, Tuber magnatum Pico, Tuber borchii Vittad, Tuber gennadii, Tuber aestivum Vittad, Tirmania pinoyi, and Tirmania nivea.