Analysis of bioactive substances and essential elements of mycelia and fruiting bodies of Hericium spp

The study aimed to compare the content of biologically active substances (lovastatin, ergothioneine, tryptophan and its derivatives), bioelements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn), and glucans content between the fruiting bodies (from two flushes) and mycelia of Hericium erinaceus, Hericium americanum and Hericium coralloides. Highperformance liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry, and spectrophotometric methods were employed for the analysis of organic compounds, bioelements, and glucans content, respectively. The relationships between the analyzed mushroom species' biological active substances, bioelements content, and the conditions of the culture were carried out using chemometric analysis: Cluster analysis (CA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Among the species examined, H. coralloides mycelium emerged as the superior source of lovastatin (21.6 mg/100 g d.w.). Fruiting bodies of H. americanum from the first flush contained a higher quantity of lovastatin, ergothioneine, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, and L-tryptophan compared to mycelia and second flush fruiting bodies. Importantly, H. americanum fruiting bodies from the first flush showed to be a better source of biologically active compounds than other investigated species. As far as it is known, the study represents the first comprehensive comparison of biologically active compounds and elements between the fruiting bodies and mycelia of three species within the Hericium genus. Future research could assay refining cultivation methods to enhance the targeted production of specific bioactive compounds at highest concentration for applications in functional foods, or dietary supplements.