Shiitake

Shiitake
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Marasmiaceae
Genus: Lentinula
Species: L. edodes
Binomial name
Lentinula edodes
(Berk.) Pegler
Lentinula edodes
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Mycological characteristics
gills on hymenium
cap is convex
hymenium is free
stipe is bare

spore print is white

to buff
ecology is saprotrophic
edibility: choice

The Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries, as well as being dried and exported to many countries around the world. It is a feature of many Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai. In the East, the shiitake mushroom has long been considered a delicacy as well as a medicinal mushroom.[1]

Contents

Taxonomy and naming

It is generally known in the English-speaking world by its Japanese name, shiitake.[2][3][4] listen (kanji: 椎茸; literally "shii mushroom", from "shii" the Japanese name of the tree Castanopsis cuspidata that provides the dead logs on which it is typically cultivated).

In Chinese, it is called xiānggū (香菇, literally "fragrant mushroom"). Two Chinese variant names for high grades of shiitake are dōnggū (Chinese: 冬菇, "winter mushroom") and huāgū (花菇, "flower mushroom", which has a flower-like cracking pattern on the mushroom's upper surface); both are produced at colder temperatures. Other names by which the mushroom is known in English include Chinese black mushroom and black forest mushroom. In Korean it is called pyogo (hangul: 표고; hanja: 瓢菰), in Thai they are called hed hom (เห็ดหอม, "fragrant mushroom"), and in Vietnamese they are called nấm hương ("fragrant mushroom").

The species was formerly known as Lentinus edodes and Agaricus edodes. The latter name was first applied by the English botanist Miles Joseph Berkeley in 1878.

Cultivation history

Shiitake are native to China but have been grown in both Japan and China since prehistoric times.[5] They have been cultivated for over 1,000 years. The oldest record regarding the shiitake mushroom dates back to AD 199 at the time of Emperor Chūai in Japan.[6]However, the first written record of shiitake cultivation can be traced to Wu Sang Kwuang, born during the Sung Dynasty (AD 960–1127).[7]

During the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368–1644), physician Wu Juei wrote that the mushroom could be used not only as a food but as a medicinal mushroom, taken as a remedy for upper respiratory diseases, poor blood circulation, liver trouble, exhaustion and weakness, and to boost qi, or life energy.[8] It was also believed to prevent premature aging.

The Japanese cultivated the mushroom by cutting shii trees with axes and placing the logs by trees that were already growing shiitake or contained shiitake spores. Before 1982, the Japanese variety of these mushrooms could only be grown in traditional locations using ancient methods. In 1982, Gary F. Leatham published an academic paper based on his research on the budding and growth of the Japan Islands variety; the work helped make commercial cultivation possible in United States.[9] Dr. Leatham is known in the industry as the "father of shiitake farming in the USA."

In the United States, shiitake cultivation got off to a slow start, due to the USDA confusing the mushroom with an invasive species known as Lentinus lepideus. The USDA realized their mistake in 1972 and allowed importation and cultivation.[10]

Culinary use

Pyogo muchim (표고무침), a Korean dish of sauteed Shiitake

Fresh and dried shiitake have many uses in the cuisines of East Asia. In Chinese cuisine, they are often sauteed in vegetarian dishes such as Buddha's delight. In Japan, they are served in miso soup, used as the basis for a kind of vegetarian dashi, and also as an ingredient in many steamed and simmered dishes. In Thailand, they may be served either fried or steamed.

Shiitake are often dried and sold as preserved food in packages. These must be rehydrated by soaking in water before using. Many people prefer dried shiitake to fresh, considering that the sun-drying process draws out the umami flavour from the dried mushrooms by breaking down proteins into amino acids and transforms ergosterol to vitamin D. The stems of shiitake are rarely used in Japanese and other cuisines, primarily because the stems are harder and take longer to cook than the soft fleshy caps. The highest grade of shiitake are called donko in Japanese.

Today, shiitake mushrooms have become popular in many other countries as well. Russia produces and also consumes large amounts of them, mostly sold pickled; and the shiitake is slowly making its way into western cuisine as well. There is a global industry in shiitake production, with local farms in most western countries in addition to large scale importation from China, Japan, Korea and elsewhere.

Because they can now be grown world wide, their availability is widespread and their price has decreased.

Shiitake research

Lentinan, a beta-glucan isolated from the shiitake mushroom.

Modern research has indicated that shiitake mushroom may stimulate the immune system,[11] possess antibacterial properties,[12][13][14] reduce platelet aggregation,[15] and possess antiviral properties,[11][16][17][18][19][20] possibly through anti-viral agents known as proteinase inhibitors.[21]

Shiitake isolate AHCC

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is an α-glucan-rich compound isolated from shiitake.[22] In Japan, AHCC is the second most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients.[23] AHCC is a well tolerated compound[22] and is metabolized via the CYP450 2D6 pathway.[24]

In addition, animal research has shown that AHCC may increase the body's resistance to pathogens as shown in experiments with the influenza virus,[25][26] West Nile encephalitis virus,[27] and bacterial infection.[28][29][30] Animal research has shown AHCC may enhance immune function.[31][32] A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 21 people supported the idea that AHCC may enhance immune function.[33] Clinical research has shown AHCC may benefit patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.[34][35] A published case study reported AHCC benefited a patient with prostate cancer.[36]

Shiitake isolate Lentinan

Lentinan, a compound isolated from shiitake, is used as an intravenous anticancer agent in some countries.[37] Studies have demonstrated lentinan possesses antitumor properties,[38] and human clinical studies have associated lentinan with a higher survival rate, higher quality of life, and lower recurrence of cancer. Clinical research with lentinan includes studies with 78 hepatocellular carcinoma patients,[39] 32 gastric cancer patients,[40] a multi-institutional study of lentinan and gastric cancer,[41] a meta-analysis of lentinan and gastric cancer,[42] 80 colorectal cancer patients,[43] 20 gastric cancer patients,[44] 36 hepatocellular carcinoma patients,[45] and 29 pancreatic cancer patients.[46] The City of Hope National Medical Center is currently conducting clinical trials to determine if a select portion of the shiitake mushroom, which includes lentinan, can inhibit lung cancer.[47] Lentinan is currently used in Australia as part of a commercially available pharmacological blend MC-S to suppress cancer cell proliferation and to promote proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The Korea Food & Drug Administration approved on January 2000 that the extracts of the mycelium of shiitake mushrooms can protect and help the liver recover from substances such as alcohol. The main chemical for this effect is the beta-glucan. The research showed that injecting the extracts of the mycelium in vitro raised the survival rates of liver cells and increased protein synthesis.

Vitamin D

Recently it was noticed that shiitake mushrooms contain high amounts of Vitamin D after brief exposure to sunlight or UV light.[48][49]

Other

The Shiitake Growers Cooperative, in Japan's Oita Prefecture, awards the winner of each bimonthly Japan Sumo Association tournament (Nihon Sumo Kyokai honbasho) a ceremonial large glass filled with shiitake mushrooms, as well as a cash prize. [1]

The Shiitake is also eaten by caterpillars of the fungus moth Triaxomera parasitella.

Shiitake gallery

Shiitake cultivation.

The shiitake mushroom.

The shiitake mushroom.

A shiitake mushroom cluster.
Lentinula edodes shiitake.JPG
Shiitake growing s.jpg
Lentinula edodes USDA.jpg
Shiitake mushroom.jpg

Shiitake being cooked in a pan.

See also

References

  1. ↑ . http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Shiitake_Mushroom.asp?sitearea=ETO. 
  2. ↑ "shiitake". Dictionary.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shiitake. 
  3. ↑ "shiitake". Merriam-Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shiitake. 
  4. ↑ "shiitake". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-shiitake.html. 
  5. ↑ Kazuko, Emi (2006). The Complete Book of Japanese Cooking. London: Hermes House. pp. 77. ISBN 978-0-681-28004-5. 
  6. ↑ Ciesla, William M. (2002). Non-wood forest products from temperate broad-leaved trees. Food & Agriculture Org.. p. 89. ISBN 925104855X. http://books.google.com/books?id=yDoE8-8YPwsC&pg=PA89&dq=shiitake#v=onepage&q=shiitake&f=false. 
  7. ↑ Stamets, Paul (2000). Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. Ten Speed Press. p. 259. ISBN 1580081754. http://books.google.com/books?id=jH-JI7pAOjAC&pg=PA259&dq=%22Wu+Sang+Kwuang#v=onepage&q=%22Wu%20Sang%20Kwuang&f=false. 
  8. ↑ Neidleman, Saul L. (1993). Advances in applied microbiology. 39. Academic Press. ISBN 0120026392. http://books.google.com/books?id=ixqbhVLvqBoC&pg=PA153&dq=%22Wu+Juei%22#v=onepage&q=%22Wu%20Juei%22&f=false. 
  9. ↑ Leatham, Gary F. (1982). "Cultivation of shiitake, the Japanese forest mushroom, on logs: a potential industry for the United States". Forest Prod. J. (Forest Products Research Society) 32 (8): 29-35. http://128.104.77.228/documnts/pdf1982/leath82a.pdf. 
  10. ↑ . http://www.shroomery.org/8531/Getting-a-Year-round-Harvest-from-Japanese-Forest-Mushrooms. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Yamamoto Y, Shirono H, Kono K, Ohashi Y (November 1997). "Immunopotentiating activity of the water-soluble lignin rich fraction prepared from LEM--the extract of the solid culture medium of Lentinus edodes mycelia". Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 61 (11): 1909–12. doi:10.1271/bbb.61.1909. PMID 9404070. 
  12. ↑ Hirasawa M, Shouji N, Neta T, Fukushima K, Takada K (February 1999). "Three kinds of antibacterial substances from Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. (Shiitake, an edible mushroom)". International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 11 (2): 151–7. doi:10.1016/S0924-8579(98)00084-3. PMID 10221419. 
  13. ↑ Tsujinaka T, Yokota M, Kambayashi J, Ou MC, Kido Y, Mori T (1990). "Modification of septic processes by beta-glucan administration". European Surgical Research 22 (6): 340–6. doi:10.1159/000129120. PMID 2079094. 
  14. ↑ Hatvani N (January 2001). "Antibacterial effect of the culture fluid of Lentinus edodes mycelium grown in submerged liquid culture". International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 17 (1): 71–4. doi:10.1016/S0924-8579(00)00311-3. PMID 11137653. 
  15. ↑ Shimada S, Komamura K, Kumagai H, Sakurai H (2004). "Inhibitory activity of shiitake flavor against platelet aggregation". BioFactors 22 (1-4): 177–9. doi:10.1002/biof.5520220136. PMID 15630278. 
  16. ↑ Takehara M, Kuida K, Mori K (1979). "Antiviral activity of virus-like particles from Lentinus edodes (Shiitake). Brief report". Archives of Virology 59 (3): 269–74. doi:10.1007/BF01317423. PMID 222241. 
  17. ↑ Gordon M, Bihari B, Goosby E, Gorter R, Greco M, Guralnik M, Mimura T, Rudinicki V, Wong R, Kaneko Y (1998). "A placebo-controlled trial of the immune modulator, lentinan, in HIV-positive patients: a phase I/II trial". J Med 29 (5-6): 305–30. ISSN 0025-7850. PMID 10503166 
  18. ↑ Tochikura TS, Nakashima H, Yamamoto N (1989). "Antiviral agents with activity against human retroviruses.". J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2 (5): 441–7. ISSN 0894-9255. PMID 2477523 
  19. ↑ Suzuki H, Okubo A, Yamazaki S, Suzuki K, Mitsuya H, Toda S (Apr 1989). "Inhibition of the infectivity and cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus by water-soluble lignin in an extract of the culture medium of Lentinus edodes mycelia (LEM).". Biochem Biophys Res Commun 160 (1): 367–73. doi:10.1016/0006-291X(89)91665-3. ISSN 0006-291X. PMID 2469420 
  20. ↑ Sarkar S, Koga J, Whitley RJ, Chatterjee S (April 1993). "Antiviral effect of the extract of culture medium of Lentinus edodes mycelia on the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1". Antiviral Research 20 (4): 293–303. doi:10.1016/0166-3542(93)90073-R. PMID 8387258. 
  21. ↑ Odani S, Tominaga K, Kondou S, Hori H, Koide T, Hara S, Isemura M, Tsunasawa S (Jun 1999). "The inhibitory properties and primary structure of a novel serine proteinase inhibitor from the fruiting body of the basidiomycete, Lentinus edodes" (Free full text). Eur J Biochem. 262 (3): 915–23. doi:10.1046/j.1432-1327.1999.00463.x. ISSN 0014-2956. PMID 10411656. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/resolve/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=0014-2956&date=1999&volume=262&issue=3&spage=915 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Spierings EL, Fujii H, Sun B, Walshe T (December 2007). "A Phase I study of the safety of the nutritional supplement, active hexose correlated compound, AHCC, in healthy volunteers". Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 53 (6): 536–9. doi:10.3177/jnsv.53.536. PMID 18202543. 
  23. ↑ Hyodo I, Amano N, Eguchi K (April 2005). "Nationwide survey on complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients in Japan". Journal of Clinical Oncology 23 (12): 2645–54. doi:10.1200/JCO.2005.04.126. PMID 15728227. 
  24. ↑ Mach CM, Fugii H, Wakame K, Smith J (2008). "Evaluation of active hexose correlated compound hepatic metabolism and potential for drug interactions with chemotherapy agents". Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology 6 (3): 105–9. PMID 19087767. 
  25. ↑ Ritz BW, Nogusa S, Ackerman EA, Gardner EM (November 2006). "Supplementation with active hexose correlated compound increases the innate immune response of young mice to primary influenza infection". The Journal of Nutrition 136 (11): 2868–73. PMID 17056815. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=17056815. 
  26. ↑ Nogusa S, Gerbino J, Ritz BW (February 2009). "Low-dose supplementation with active hexose correlated compound improves the immune response to acute influenza infection in C57BL/6 mice". Nutrition Research 29 (2): 139–43. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2009.01.005. PMID 19285605. 
  27. ↑ Wang S, Welte T, Fang H (March 2009). "Oral administration of active hexose correlated compound enhances host resistance to West Nile encephalitis in mice". The Journal of Nutrition 139 (3): 598–602. doi:10.3945/jn.108.100297. PMID 19141700. 
  28. ↑ Aviles H, O'Donnell P, Orshal J, Fujii H, Sun B, Sonnenfeld G (April 2008). "Active hexose correlated compound activates immune function to decrease bacterial load in a murine model of intramuscular infection". American Journal of Surgery 195 (4): 537–45. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.05.045. PMID 18304499. 
  29. ↑ Ritz BW (September 2008). "Supplementation with active hexose correlated compound increases survival following infectious challenge in mice". Nutrition Reviews 66 (9): 526–31. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00085.x. PMID 18752476. 
  30. ↑ Aviles H, O'Donnell P, Sun B, Sonnenfeld G (December 2006). "Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) enhances resistance to infection in a mouse model of surgical wound infection". Surgical Infections 7 (6): 527–35. doi:10.1089/sur.2006.7.527. PMID 17233570. 
  31. ↑ Gao Y, Zhang D, Sun B, Fujii H, Kosuna K, Yin Z (October 2006). "Active hexose correlated compound enhances tumor surveillance through regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses". Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy 55 (10): 1258–66. doi:10.1007/s00262-005-0111-9. PMID 16362410. 
  32. ↑ Aviles H, Belay T, Vance M, Sun B, Sonnenfeld G (October 2004). "Active hexose correlated compound enhances the immune function of mice in the hindlimb-unloading model of spaceflight conditions". Journal of Applied Physiology 97 (4): 1437–44. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00259.2004. PMID 15194672. 
  33. ↑ Terakawa N, Matsui Y, Satoi S (2008). "Immunological effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial". Nutrition and Cancer 60 (5): 643–51. doi:10.1080/01635580801993280. PMID 18791928. 
  34. ↑ Cowawintaweewat S, Manoromana S, Sriplung H (March 2006). "Prognostic improvement of patients with advanced liver cancer after active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) treatment". Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology 24 (1): 33–45. PMID 16913187. 
  35. ↑ Matsui Y, Uhara J, Satoi S (July 2002). "Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study". Journal of Hepatology 37 (1): 78–86. doi:10.1016/S0168-8278(02)00091-0. PMID 12076865. 
  36. ↑ Turner J, Chaudhary U (March 2009). "Dramatic prostate-specific antigen response with activated hemicellulose compound in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer". Anti-cancer Drugs 20 (3): 215–6. doi:10.1097/CAD.0b013e3283163c26. PMID 19104437. 
  37. ↑ "Lentinian". About herbs. Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center. 2009. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69279.cfm. 
  38. ↑ Kim HS, Kacew S, Lee BM (August 1999). "In vitro chemopreventive effects of plant polysaccharides (Aloe barbadensis miller, Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum and Coriolus versicolor)". Carcinogenesis 20 (8): 1637–40. doi:10.1093/carcin/20.8.1637. PMID 10426820. http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10426820. 
  39. ↑ Yang P, Liang M, Zhang Y, Shen B (August 2008). "Clinical application of a combination therapy of lentinan, multi-electrode RFA and TACE in HCC". Advances in Therapy 25 (8): 787–94. doi:10.1007/s12325-008-0079-x. PMID 18670743. 
  40. ↑ Nimura H, Mitsumori N, Takahashi N (June 2006). "[S-1 combined with lentinan in patients with unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer]" (in Japanese). Gan to Kagaku Ryoho 33 Suppl 1: 106–9. PMID 16897983. 
  41. ↑ Nakano H, Namatame K, Nemoto H, Motohashi H, Nishiyama K, Kumada K (1999). "A multi-institutional prospective study of lentinan in advanced gastric cancer patients with unresectable and recurrent diseases: effect on prolongation of survival and improvement of quality of life. Kanagawa Lentinan Research Group". Hepato-gastroenterology 46 (28): 2662–8. PMID 10522061. 
  42. ↑ Oba K, Kobayashi M, Matsui T, Kodera Y, Sakamoto J (July 2009). "Individual patient based meta-analysis of lentinan for unresectable/recurrent gastric cancer". Anticancer Research 29 (7): 2739–45. PMID 19596954. http://ar.iiarjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=19596954. 
  43. ↑ Hazama S, Watanabe S, Ohashi M (July 2009). "Efficacy of orally administered superfine dispersed lentinan (beta-1,3-glucan) for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer". Anticancer Research 29 (7): 2611–7. PMID 19596936. http://ar.iiarjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=19596936. 
  44. ↑ Kataoka H, Shimura T, Mizoshita T (2009). "Lentinan with S-1 and paclitaxel for gastric cancer chemotherapy improve patient quality of life". Hepato-gastroenterology 56 (90): 547–50. PMID 19579640. 
  45. ↑ Isoda N, Eguchi Y, Nukaya H (2009). "Clinical efficacy of superfine dispersed lentinan (beta-1,3-glucan) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma". Hepato-gastroenterology 56 (90): 437–41. PMID 19579616. 
  46. ↑ Shimizu K, Watanabe S, Watanabe S (2009). "Efficacy of oral administered superfine dispersed lentinan for advanced pancreatic cancer". Hepato-gastroenterology 56 (89): 240–4. PMID 19453066. 
  47. ↑ Alicia Di Rado (26 November 2008). "Can a mushroom help fight lung cancer?". ehope (Duarte, California: City of Hope National Medical Center) 7 (11). http://www.cityofhope.org/about/publications/eHope/2008-vol-7-num-11-november-26/Pages/can-a-mushroom-help-fight-lung-cancer.aspx. Retrieved 25 June 2009 
  48. ↑ Mushrooms and vitamin D
  49. ↑ Lee GS, Byun HS, Yoon KH, Lee JS, Choi KC, Jeung EB (March 2009). "Dietary calcium and vitamin D2 supplementation with enhanced Lentinula edodes improves osteoporosis-like symptoms and induces duodenal and renal active calcium transport gene expression in mice". Eur J Nutr 48 (2): 75–83. doi:10.1007/s00394-008-0763-2. PMID 19093162. 

Further reading

External links