Non-volatile components of several medicinal mushrooms

Three species of medicinal mushrooms are commercially available in Taiwan, including Ling Chih (Ganoderma lucidum), Sung Shan Ling Chih (Ganoderma tsu gae) and Yun Chih (Coriolus versicolor). The objective of this study was to examine the non-volatile components in these medicinal mushrooms, includin g their proximate compositions, soluble sugars, free amino acids and 5'-nuc leotides. Ganoderma spp. contained 7.18-7.92% of proteins and Yun Chih cont ained 4.20%. Carbohydrate contents showed two different levels, Yun Chih (6 5.09%) and Ganoderma spp. (21.83-27.78%). The fiber contents were in the or der of Sung Shan Ling Chih (65.29%), regular and antler Ling Chih (59.16 an d 59.49%, respectively), and Yun Chih (23.24%). Yun Chih contained 20.21 mg g(-1) dry weight of total soluble sugars whereas Ganoderma spp. contained low amounts. Total free amino acid contents ranged from 4.25 to 14.04 mg g( -1). Contents of MSG-like components ranged from 0.17 to 0.50 mg g(-1) and sweet components ranged from 0.28 to 1.38 mg g(-1). The bitter components w ere predominantly present in these mushrooms. Contents of total and flavour 5'-nucleotides were high in Yun Chih and Ling Chih. The umami intensities were expected to be in the descending order of Ling Chih, Yun Chih, Sung Sh an Ling Chih and antler Ling Chih. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.