Composition and contents of fatty acids and amino acids in the mycelia of Lentinula edodes

• Published in: Food science & nutrition 2023-07, Vol.11 (7), p.4038-4046
• Main Authors: Yu, Chang‐Xia, Zhang, Ya‐Ru, Ren, Yun‐Fei, Zhao, Yan, Song, Xiao‐Xia, Yang, Huan‐Ling, Chen, Ming‐Jie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: amino acid composition; Amino acids; Animal protein; Chromatography; Composition; Dietary minerals; fatty acid; Fatty acids; Food sources; Hydrochloric acid; Lentinula edodes; Linoleic acid; Lipids; Methionine; Mushrooms; Mutagenesis; Mycelia; Nitrogen; nutritional evaluation; Nutritive value; Original; Ovalbumin; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Protein sources; Proteins; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 2048-7177; 2048-7177
• DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3392

With the global shortages of animal protein foods, mycoprotein as a low‐cost alternative source of protein by its high‐protein and low‐fat content has become a development trend. Lentinula edodes (L. edodes) is a healthy food with high protein and low fiber. This work evaluated the nutritional value of L. edodes mycelia, and determined the composition and contents of fatty acids and amino acids. Eleven saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and 12 unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) were detected in the mycelia of L. edodes. The UFA content accounted for 75.7% and 73.1% of the total fatty acid content in the mycelia of strains 18 and 18N44, respectively. Linoleic acid was the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the mycelia, accounting for 91.0% and 86.3% of the UFAs, respectively. The mycelia of the two strains contained 17 types of amino acids, and the essential amino acids were sufficient (357.92 ± 0.42 and 398.38 ± 4.52 mg/g pro, respectively), both close to the WHO/FAO reference protein pattern value. The most abundant essential amino acid was Lys, and the limiting amino acids were Met + Cys and Ile, respectively. The SRC values in the mycelia of the two strains were 68.07 and 54.86, and the EAAI values were 67.70 and 74.42, respectively, both being close to those of ovalbumin. It is concluded that L. edodes mycelia are rich in easily absorbed high‐quality proteins and PUFAs, and can be used as a source for meat analog required by vegetarians. This study provides a scientific basis for the further utilization of mycelial resources. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) were dominant in the mycelia of Lentinula edodes strains 18 and 18N44, accounting for 75.7% and 73.1% of the total fatty acid content, respectively. Linoleic acid was the major PUFA in the mycelia, accounting for 91.0% and 86.3% of the UFAs in 18 and 18N44, respectively. The total amino acid and essential amino acid contents in the mycelia of strain 18 were 21.62% and 7.13%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the fruiting bodies of conventional strains of L. edodes. Lysine was the most abundant essential amino acid in the mycelia of Lentinula edodes, which could be used with cereal food to achieve balanced intake of amino acids.