Non-volatile taste components of Agaricus blazei, Antrodia camphorata and Cordyceps militaris mycelia

Three non-Ganoderma medicinal mushrooms are currently popular in Taiwan, including Brazilian mushroom (Agaricus blazei), chang-chih (Antrodia camphorata) and northern caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps militaris). The moisture contents of three dry mycelia ranged widely from 6.65 to 14.91%. All mycelia were high in carbohydrate content with chang-chih being the highest. The protein contents ranged from 9.49 to 29.1%. Soluble sugars found were arabitol, glucose and trehalose, and the contents exceeded 10%. Total free amino acid contents ranged from 7.01 to 11.1 mg g(-1) dry weight. Contents of monosodium glutamate-like components were relatively low and similar in Brazilian mushroom and chang-chih, but high in northern Cordyceps. Contents of bitter components were significantly high in Brazilian mushroom and northern Cordyceps. Contents of flavour 5'-nucleotides were similarly high in chang-chih and northern Cordyceps, and low in Brazilian mushroom. The three mushroom mycelia had different proximate compositions. However, northern Cordyceps and chang-chih might exhibit similar umami and sweet tastes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.