Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Specialty Mushrooms

Abstract

Although the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) accounts for slightly over half of total world mushroom production, specialty mushrooms, e.g., shiitake (Lentinula edodes), straw (Volvariella volvacea), oyster (Pleurotus spp.), and enokitake (Flammulina velutipes), are increasing in popularity. These species contain moderate quantities of good quality protein and are good sources of dietary fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, and minerals. Lipid levels are low, but unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios are high (about 2.0 – 4.5:1). Some species (e.g., shiitake) accumulate cadmium and selenium and other heavy metals, and some may contain toxic substances such as the heat labile cardiotoxic proteins volvatoxin in the straw mushroom and flammutoxin in enokitake. Extensive clinical studies, primarily in Japan, have clearly demonstrated that a number of species have medicinal and therapeutic value, by injection or oral administration, in the prevention/treatment of cancer, viral diseases (influenza, polio), hypercholesterolemia, blood platelet aggregation, and hypertension. Most of the studies have focused on shiitake, enokitake, Pleurotus spp., and on the generally nonculinary Ganoderma spp. Many of the active substances which include polysaccharides (e.g., β-glucans), nucleic acid derivatives (the hypocholesterolemic eritadenine), lipids, peptides, proteins, and glycoproteins, have been isolated and identified. Some of the mechanisms of activity have been elucidated, e.g., antiviral activity via stimulation of interferon production in the host. Additional medical claims less well documented may nonetheless have some validity and merit further study.

Valor nutricional de cogumelos comestíveis

“…Os conteúdos de sólidos totais nos cogumelos, apresentados na Tabela 1, ficaram na faixa de 8,00 a 9,23%, confirmando o alto teor de umidade desses produtos 5,6 . Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) entre os lotes, possivelmente afetada por alguns fatores, tais como condições de cultivo, armazenamento pós-colheita, entre outros.…”

“…O fator de conversão utilizado para proteína foi 4,38 5 . Para a determinação de lipídeos foi utilizado o método descrito por BLIGH e DYER 4 .…”

The Contribution of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption to Human Health

“…Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated that some species have medicinal and therapeutic value, by injection or oral administration, in the prevention/treatment of cancer, viral diseases (influenza, polio), hypercholesterolemia, blood platelet aggregation, and hypertension (Breene 1990). It has been reported that the inclusion of cultivated mushrooms, particularly shiitake and enokitake, in the diet is likely to provide some protection against some manifestation of cancer (Mori and others 1987).…”

“…Some types of mushrooms contain moderate quantities of good-quality protein and are good sources of dietary fiber, vitamins C and B, and minerals (Breene 1990). Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated that some species have medicinal and therapeutic value, by injection or oral administration, in the prevention/treatment of cancer, viral diseases (influenza, polio), hypercholesterolemia, blood platelet aggregation, and hypertension (Breene 1990).…”

Biodegradation of agroindustrial wastes by Pleurotus spp for its use as ruminant feed

“…Previous studies have shown the feasibility of using these kind of wastes to produce animal feed (Calzada et al 1987;Adamovic et al 1998), and as substrate for mushroom production (Breene, 1990;Sermanni et al 1994;Kakkar and Dañad, 1998;Yildiz et al 2002).…”