Shiitake
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| Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler |
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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 Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai.
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[edit] Taxonomy and naming
It is generally known in the English-speaking world by its Japanese name, shiitake[1] 
listen (help·info) (kanji: 椎茸; literally "shii mushroom", from the Japanese name of the tree 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.
[edit] Cultivation history
Shiitake are native to China but have been grown in both Japan and China since prehistoric times[2]. They have been cultivated for over 1000 years; the first written record of shiitake cultivation can be traced to Wu Sang Kwuang, born during the Song Dynasty (AD 960–1127). However, some documents record the uncultivated mushroom being eaten as early as AD 199.
During the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368–1644), physician Wu Juei wrote that the mushroom could be used not only as a food but was taken as a remedy for upper respiratory diseases, poor blood circulation, liver trouble, exhaustion and weakness, and to boost qi, or life energy. It was also believed to prevent premature aging.
Before 1982 the Japanese variety of these mushrooms could only be grown in traditional locations using ancient methods. In the late 1970s, Gary F. Leatham published a doctoral thesis based on his research on the budding and growth of the Japan Islands variety; the work helped make commercial cultivation possible worldwide, and Dr. Leatham is now known in the industry as the "Father of Shiitake farming in the USA."
[edit] Culinary use
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 Korean cuisine, they are commonly used in dishes such as bulgogi (marinated grilled beef), jjigae (stews), and namul (sauteed vegetable 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.
[edit] Medicinal use
Shiitake mushrooms have been researched for their medicinal benefits, most notably their anti-tumor properties in laboratory mice. These studies have also identified the polysaccharide lentinan, a (1-3) β-D-glucan, as the active compound responsible for the anti-tumor effects.[3] In fact, some countries classify lentinan as a clinical drug.[4] The speculative anti-cancer properties of this mushroom are thought to be linked to upregulation of the immune system. An in vitro study supports this idea, by showing a chemical in shittake could activate various components of the immune system, including Nk cells. T cells, macrophages, and interleukin-6.[5]
The City of Hope National Medical Center is currently conducting clinical trials to determine the anti-cancer effects of the shiitake mushroom.[6]
In an experiment with human colon cancer cells, shiitake exhibited strong anti-cancer properties.[7][4] Immune system enhancement may not be the only possible anti-cancer mechanism of shiitake. An in vitro study revealed shittake could induce selective apoptosis in murine melanoma cells.[8] Extracts from shiitake mushrooms (such as ichtyol) have also been researched for many other immunological benefits, ranging from anti-viral properties to possible treatments for severe allergies, as well as arthritis.[9]
Lenthionine, a key flavour compound of shiitake, also inhibits platelet aggregation, so it is a promising treatment for thrombosis.[10] Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is an alpha glucan rich nutritional supplement produced from the mycelia of Lentinula edodes of the basidiomycete family of mushrooms.[11] The immunological effect of AHCC has been studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 21 healthy volunteers.[12] The AHCC group showed a significantly higher number of total dendritic cells compared with baseline, a significantly higher number of DC1 cells compared with baseline, a significantly higher number of DC2 cells compared with controls, and a significantly increased mixed-leukocyte reaction compared with controls. There was no significant difference in cytokine production, NK cell activity or other immune function parameters between the two groups.
Shiitake are also one of a few known natural sources of vegan and kosher vitamin D (vitamin D2).
[edit] Anti-bacterial and anti-viral research
Chemicals naturally present in shiitake have demonstrated anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties in laboratory research. An in vitro experiment on Vero cells, showed that shiitake inhibited the release of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).[13]
Lentin, a chemical naturally occurring in shiitake, has strong anti-fungal properties and in vitro research has shown it can inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus-1.[14][15] Data for shiitake's effect on human HIV treatment is extremely limited, but one study produced promising data.[16]
Shiitake possess multiple chemicals which have demonstrated antibacterial[17][18][19] and antiviral[5] properties.
Researchers have identified a proteinase inhibitor in shiitake.[20]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary. shiitake. Second edition, 1989.
- ^ Kazuko, Emi (2006). The Complete Book of Japanese Cooking. London: Hermes House. pp. 77. ISBN 978-0-681-28004-5.
- ^ Kim H, Kacew S, Lee B (1999). "In vitro chemopreventive effects of plant polysaccharides (Aloe barbadensis miller, Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum and Coriolus versicolor)". Carcinogenesis 20 (8): 1637–40. doi:. PMID 10426820.
- ^ a b , 2009, http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69279.cfm
- ^ a b Yamamoto Y, Shirono H, Kono K, Ohashi Y. (Nov 1997), "Immunopotentiating activity of the water-soluble lignin rich fraction prepared from LEM--the extract of the solid culture medium of Lentinus edodes mycelia.", Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 61 (11): 1909–12, PMID 9404070
- ^ , http://www.cityofhope.org/about/publications/eHope/2008-vol-7-num-11-november-26/Pages/can-a-mushroom-help-fight-lung-cancer.aspx
- ^ Ng ML, Yap AT (2002), "Inhibition of human colon carcinoma development by lentinan from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes).", J Altern Complement Med. 8 (5): 581–9, doi:, PMID 12470439
- ^ Gu YH, Belury MA. (Mar 2005), "Selective induction of apoptosis in murine skin carcinoma cells (CH72) by an ethanol extract of Lentinula edodes.", Cancer Lett. 220 (1): 21–8, doi:, PMID 15737684
- ^ Takehara M, Kuida K, Mori K (1979). "Antiviral activity of virus-like particles from Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)". Archives of Virology 59 (3): 269–74. doi:. PMID 222241.
- ^ Shimada S, Komamura K, Kumagai H, Sakurai H (2004). "Inhibitory activity of shiitake flavor against platelet aggregation". Biofactors 22 (1-4): 177–9. doi:. PMID 15630278. http://iospress.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0951-6433&volume=22&issue=1&spage=177.
- ^ Spierings EL, Fujii H, Sun B et al. (2007). A Phase I study of the safety of the nutritional supplement, active hexose correlated compound, AHCC, in healthy volunteers. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol. 53:536-539.
- ^ Terakawa N, Matsui Y, Satoi S et al. (2008). Immunological effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutr Cancer. 60:643-651.
- ^ Sarkar S, Koga J, Whitley RJ, Chatterjee S. (1993), "Antiviral effect of the extract of culture medium of Lentinus edodes mycelia on the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1.", Antiviral Res. 20 (4): 293–303, doi:, PMID 8387258
- ^ Tochikura TS, Nakashima H, Yamamoto N. (1989), "Antiviral agents with activity against human retroviruses.", J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2 (5): 441–7, PMID 2477523
- ^ Suzuki H, Okubo A, Yamazaki S, Suzuki K, Mitsuya H, Toda S. (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:, PMID 2469420
- ^ 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, PMID 10503166
- ^ Hirasawa M, Shouji N, Neta T, Fukushima K, Takada K. (Feb 1999), "Three kinds of antibacterial substances from Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. (Shiitake, an edible mushroom).", Int J Antimicrob Agents. 11 (2): 151–7, doi:, PMID 10221419
- ^ Tsujinaka T, Yokota M, Kambayashi J, Ou MC, Kido Y, Mori T. (1990), "Modification of septic processes by beta-glucan administration.", Eur Surg Res. 22 (6): 340–6, doi:, PMID 2079094
- ^ Hatvani N. (Jan 2001), "Antibacterial effect of the culture fluid of Lentinus edodes mycelium grown in submerged liquid culture.", Int J Antimicrob Agents. 17 (1): 71–4, doi:, PMID 11137653
- ^ Odani S, Tominaga K, Kondou S, Hori H, Koide T, Hara S, Isemura M, Tsunasawa S. (1999), "The inhibitory properties and primary structure of a novel serine proteinase inhibitor from the fruiting body of the basidiomycete, Lentinus edodes.", Eur J Biochem. 262 (3): 915–23, doi:, PMID 10411656
[edit] Further reading
- Tsuji, Shizuo (1980). Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art. New York: Kodansha International/USA.
- Lindequist, U.; Niedermeyer, T.H.J. ; Jülich, W.D. (2005). "The pharmacological potential of mushrooms.". Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.. doi:. PMID 16136207. http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2/3/285.
[edit] External links
- Lentinula edodes page at Index Fungorum site
- Lentinan effects (antitumor and others)
- [1] Dried shiitake (Lentinulla edodes) and oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms as a good source of nutrient.
