pleurotus
ostreatus
The fruit-body of this mushroom is oyster-shaped,
hence the common name Oyster Mushroom.
It grows on decayed tember of deciduous trees
in many parts of the world.
It can be cultivated in a sawdust mixture.
It is one of the more popular mushrooms
with a pleasant odor and taste.
In the Sung dynasty (A.D. 420-479)
it was referred to as "Mushroom of flower heaven"
(Stamets,1993, Hobbs, 1995).
Medicinal benefit effects of
pleurotus species were
discovered independently on different continents.
Awareness of their medicinal properties comes
from Asia, folklore of central Europe, South America,
and Africa (Gunde-Cimerman, 1999).
While first artificially cultivated in the United States,
production is now worldwide.
A number of studies suggest a role in numerous
diseases with its anti-cancer activity, immunomodulating, anti-viral,
antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Major cause of death is coranary artery disease
with hypocholesterolemia as a primary risk factor.
Drug therapy for lowering cholesterol has made
considerable use of the pharmicologic agent lovastatin
(mevinolin) and its analogues.
Species of this genus
pleurotus are excellent
producers of lovastatin and could be considered
as a functional food with natural cholesterol-lowering
ability (Gunde-Cimerman, 1999).
Key Action Constituents
Beta-glucans (anti-tumour, immunomodulation)
Lovastatin (cholesterol-lowering)
Source(s)
MycoEngineering
Mu-sha-rooms
oyster mushrooms fresh un-certified organic
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