SHIITAKE MUSHROOM: IMPORTANCE AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Deepakumar E¹ and Ramalakshmi G²
¹IV Year, B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture,
²Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology,
Imayam Institute of Agriculture and Technology, Thuraiyur
Abstract:
Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes), a wood-dwelling fungus native to East Asia, is both a
culinary delicacy and a valuable medicinal resource. Rich in proteins, dietary fibre, vitamins,
minerals, and bioactive compounds such as lentinan, eritadenine, and ergothioneine, shiitake
mushrooms exhibit diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and lipid-lowering effects. Traditionally cultivated on
hardwood logs for over a thousand years, they are now grown commercially using sustainable
methods like sawdust-based substrates, minimizing environmental impact. Shiitake
mushrooms support immune function, improve cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol,
and may aid in weight management and cancer prevention. Nutritionally, they are notable for
high copper content, B-vitamins, and essential amino acids. Beyond health benefits, shiitake
mushrooms contribute to environmental sustainability through bioremediation potential and
use in producing bioactive compounds and bioenergy. With their unique flavour, versatile
applications, and significant medicinal value supported by both traditional use and modern
research, shiitake mushrooms hold an important role in promoting human health and
ecological balance.
Introduction:
The term "mushroom" refers to the “fruiting body of a fungal organism that usually rises
above the soil and contains spores.” It is this fleshy fruiting body that is commonly consumed
and reproduces by spreading spores, similar to how other plants release seeds. Mushrooms
are excellent sources of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, which play an important role in
nutrition.
Medicinal mushrooms exhibit a variety of pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective,
anticancer, antiallergic, antihyperlipidemic, and prebiotic activities, among others.
Shiitake mushrooms have a historical background of medicinal usage. This particular
mushroom is utilized for its anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal,
antibacterial, antiviral, and antithrombotic properties in relation to cardiovascular conditions.
Shiitake mushroom:
The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is categorized under Class Basidiomycetes, Order
Agaricales, and Family Marasmiaceae. This edible and medicinal fungus, which thrives on
wood, is indigenous to East Asia.
Shiitake mushrooms are among the most widely cultivated fungi worldwide. The name
shiitake originates from "shii," referring to the Castanopsis cuspidata tree, a hardwood on
which these mushrooms commonly grow, combined with "take," the Japanese word for
mushroom.
Lentinula edodes is originally found in the mountainous areas of Japan, Korea, and China,
where it flourishes on decaying logs. This species has a rich history of culinary and medicinal
use across East Asia, with wild shiitake being collected for food and traditional remedies. The
first evidence of shiitake cultivation in China dates back approximately 1,000 to 1,200 years,
where it was known as dongo or shanku. These mushrooms have a deep, earthy flavor and a
taste often described as meaty.
Shiitake mushrooms decompose organic matter from the deadwood of broad-leaved trees,
particularly oaks and other species within the order Fagales. The fruiting bodies of these
fungi typically have a light to reddish-brown color, featuring a dome-shaped cap (pileus)
supported by a fibrous stalk (stipe). The cap ranges from 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 inches) in
diameter and displays white gills on the underside. Characteristically, these mushrooms
produce white spores.
In commercial cultivation, these fungi are often grown on logs, sawdust blocks, or sawdust
pellets.
Medicinal Properties of Shiitake Mushroom:
The shiitake mushroom is used as anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral as well as antithrombotic in cardiovascular disorders.
Shiitake mushrooms are recognized for their bioactive substances, which include:
1. Lentinan – a β-(1-3)-glucan polysaccharide known for its immune-enhancing and
antimicrobial features; it is effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Listeria
monocytogenes.
2. Eritadenine – helps lower cholesterol production.
3. Ergothioneine – an antioxidant amino acid that safeguards against oxidative damage.
These compounds provide lipid-lowering, antimicrobial, and antioxidant benefits. Studies
indicate that shiitake extracts can diminish harmful oral bacteria associated with cavities and
gum disease.
Shiitake mushroom has high level of antioxidants protect against oxidative stress, reducing
the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.
Importance:
Shiitake mushrooms are highly sought after for their culinary and medicinal applications,
making them popular in the market.
They are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins, appealing to health-conscious
consumers.
These mushrooms can be cultivated with minimal environmental impact. Sawdust serves as a
waste material that is used in mushroom cultivation, highlighting its eco-friendly nature.
Mushrooms show significant potential for cleaning up polluted soil and water. They can also
be employed to create nanoparticles, bioactive substances, bioenergy, and for nano
remediation.
Health Benefits of Shiitake mushroom:
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are among the richest natural sources of copper, a
mineral essential for maintaining healthy blood vessels, bones, and immune function. These
mushrooms offer numerous health advantages that can assist with weight loss.
Enhancement of the immune system
Shiitake mushrooms are beneficial for boosting immunity and promoting liver health while
supporting the cardiovascular system. Lentinan, a polysaccharide found in shiitake
mushrooms, protects against cellular damage, enhances immune function, and stimulates
white blood cell production to combat microbes, along with exhibiting anti-inflammatory
benefits.
Research indicates that shiitake mushrooms can elevate levels of IgA, a crucial immune cell
(immunoglobulin) that serves as a primary line of defense in immunity.
Improvement of heart health
Shiitake mushrooms feature three components that help reduce blood cholesterol levels.
a) Eritadenine inhibits an enzyme responsible for cholesterol production.
b) Sterol compounds block the intestines from absorbing cholesterol.
c) Beta glucans, a type of fiber, can contribute to lowering cholesterol.
Others
• The polysaccharides present in shiitake mushrooms may possess anticancer properties.
Lentinan may aid in combating cancer.
• Shiitake mushrooms may assist with weight management due to their fiber content and the
metabolic effects of eritadenine and beta-glucans.
• High levels of vitamin D in shiitake mushrooms may promote improved bone density.
Nutritive Values of Shiitake mushroom:
Shiitake mushrooms are abundant in a high content of dietary fiber, B vitamins (particularly
pantothenic acid), and essential minerals such as copper, selenium, manganese, and iron.
When dried, shiitake mushrooms are abundant in carbohydrates and protein. Their
composition consists of 58-60% carbohydrates, 20-23% protein (with an 80-87% digestibility
rate), 9-10% fiber, 3-4% fats, and 4-5% ash.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100g of raw shiitake
mushrooms contain:
S.NO. NUTRIENT AMOUNT
1. Fat 0.5 g
2. Protein 2.63 g
3. Carbohydrate 6.57 g
4. Cholesterol 0g
5. Energy 34.2 calories
6. Vitamin D 0.4 mcg
7. Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) 0.22 mg
8. Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) 1.5 mg
9. Vitamin B-3 (Niacin) 3.95 mg
10. Vitamin B-6 0.30 mg
11. Calcium 2.63 mg
12. Iron 0.40 mg
13. Potassium 303.95 mg
14. Copper 0.14 mg
*g for gram, mg for milligram, mcg for microgram.
Conclusion:
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) emerge as a distinctive blend of culinary pleasure
and medicinal benefits. Their impressive nutrient profile, which includes crucial vitamins,
minerals, proteins, and bioactive compounds like lentinan, eritadenine, and ergothioneine,
offers numerous health advantages—from enhancing the immune system and promoting heart
health to demonstrating anticancer and antimicrobial effects. In addition to individual health
benefits, shiitake mushrooms play a role in environmental sustainability through their low-
impact farming techniques and possible uses in bioremediation. With a longstanding presence
in traditional medicine and an expanding array of modern scientific validation, shiitake
mushrooms occupy a significant position in both nutrition and natural health, presenting
valuable prospects for human wellness and ecological balance.
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