Role of Medicinal Mushroom Lentinula edodes in Nutrition, Nutraceutics and Ethnopharmacology

Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) is the medicinal macro-fungus popular in Japan and China. It is the second most well- known edible fungus in the global market after Agaricus bisporus Because of presence of dietary fibers, vitamins, proteins, minerals and carbohydrates, shiitake mushroom have significant nutritional worth. It is commonly cultivated in winter season and known as “elixir of life”. Bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, amino acid derivatives, sterols, glycoproteins, chitin and sulfurous compounds are all extracted from shiitake mushrooms. Some of these are lentinans, eritadenine and KS-2-α- mannan peptide etc. Shiitake mushroom is used therapeutically to cure cancers, cardiovascular disorders, viral and fungal infections, hepatitis, hypertension and hepatic disorders. Shiitake mushroom have also grown in popularity as a result of their unusual and well-liked flavor.