Non-volatile taste components of Agaricus blazei, Antrodia camphorata and Cordyceps militaris mycelia

Three non-Ganoderma medicinal mushrooms are currently popular in Taiwan, in cluding Brazilian mushroom (Agaricus blazei), chang-chih (Antrodia camphora ta) and northern caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps militaris). The moisture con tents of three dry mycelia ranged widely from 6.65 to 14.91%. All mycelia w ere high in carbohydrate content with chang-chih being the highest. The pro tein contents ranged from 9.49 to 29.1%. Soluble sugars found were arabitol , glucose and trehalose, and the contents exceeded 10%. Total free amino ac id contents ranged from 7.01 to 11.1 mg g(-1) dry weight. Contents of monos odium glutamate-like components were relatively low and similar in Brazilia n mushroom and chang-chih, but high in northern Cordyceps. Contents of bitt er components were significantly high in Brazilian mushroom and northern Co rdyceps. Contents of flavour 5'-nucleotides were similarly high in chang-ch ih and northern Cordyceps, and low in Brazilian mushroom. The three mushroo m mycelia had different proximate compositions. However, northern Cordyceps and chang-chih might exhibit similar umami and sweet tastes. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.