VOLATILE COMPONENTS IN CULTURE FLUID OF POLYPORUS-TUBERASTER

Of 117 mushrooms grown in liquid culture and given a sensory evaluation by 10 panelists, Polyporus tuberaster K2606 was the most highly rated. This strain had a fruity and floral odor suitable for beverages. Forty-seven compounds from the culture fluid of strain K2606 were identified, 14 of which are reported for the first time as volatile components from mushrooms grown by liquid culture. The most abundant component was benzaldehyde, which accounted for 61 % of the total amount of volatile compounds in this strain. Other main components were other aromatic compounds and aliphatic alcohols, of which 3-methyl-1-butanol was the most abundant. By cultivation of strain K2606 in a medium to which L-phenylalanine was added, benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol were obtained in substantially increased yields.