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World wide about 200,000 tons of shii-take mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) are produced per year. Different positive biological effects are known (anticarcinogenic, anticholesterol, immunostimulating effects), but the mineral contents and amino acid composition of caps and stipes are still little investigated. The concentrations of minerals are in general lower than those in the cultivated white mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and in the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The greatest differences are found in the concentrations of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, strontium, manganese and zinc. The concentrations are higher in caps than in stipes. The total amino acid content is 15.24% in caps and 11.35% in stipes (dry matter) and thus in general half of the concentration of cultivated champignon. The amounts of Phe, Gly, His, Arg, Ile and Met are relative higher than in Agaricus fruit bodies.

Different kinds of protein (crude, digestible, non-digestible) were analysed in caps and stipe of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) in four phases of development. The phases examined were: a (cap diameter5 cm); B (diameter 5-8 cm); C (diameter, 8-10 cm) and D (diameter10 cm). The Pleurotus variety analysed (the cap and the stipe) has a relative high crude protein content, the main part of which is digestible (average, 92%). During the four stages of fruit body ripening, stage B was the best, with the highest crude and digestible protein concentrations. In stage D the highest non-digestible protein content was measured in the cap and stipe. These data can be used for optimal harvesting of fruit bodies of cultivated P. ostreatus.

In the methanolic extract of Meripilus giganteus a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (among them palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid) and ergosterol peroxide were identified as immunosuppressive components. Furthermore a homologous series of straight-chained saturated hydrocarbons with 22 to 26 and 29 to 32 C-atoms could be found.

Shiitake is a kind of mushroom (Lentinus edodes) which is eaten in Chinese and Japanese meals all over the world. In the last 9 years, we have observed 30 patients with toxicodermia caused by eating Shiitake. Toxicodermia caused by Shiitake has a characteristic clinical picture.

A Peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) of the basidiomycet Phellinus igniarius was derived from mycel and a medium containing glucose and extract of yeast by using various methods of preparation. The enzyme resists extreme conditions (pH, temperature salt concentration). Its optimum pH for activities is in the acid range. Two isoenzymes were found. The molecular weight, isoelectric point, Michaelis-Menten constant, indolacetic acid oxidase activity and spectral and analytical properties of this peroxidase were determined. It is assumed that the enzyme has an intracellular as well as an extracellular field of activity.