Functional substrates for growth of culinary and medicinal mushrooms

Abstract

Methods of increasing the amount of one or more functional compounds in medicinal mushroom biomass and mushroom mycelia by growing the mushrooms on a substrate that is high in the functional compound or compounds of interest is provided. More specifically, a method of increasing the amount of anthocyanins in mushrooms is provided. Mushrooms are grown on a substrate rich in anthocyanins, such as purple corn or other suitable red, purple or black-pigmented substrate, and incorporate the anthocyanins during growth. Mushrooms grown by this method, as well as methods of improving the growth rate and potency of mushrooms, are also provided.

1 . A method of increasing the amount of selenium in medicinal mushroom biomass and mushroom spawn comprising: 
 providing a substrate having selenium therein; and    growing mushrooms on the substrate.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a variety of wheat containing selenium.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the wheat is  triticum teranicum.    
     
     
         4 . A method of increasing the amount of beta-glucan in medicinal mushroom biomass and mushroom spawn comprising: 
 providing a substrate having beta glucan therein; and    growing mushrooms on the substrate.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the substrate is waxy hulless barley.  
     
     
         6 . A method of increasing the amount of anthocyanins in dried mushroom biomass comprising: 
 providing dried mushroom biomass; and subjecting the dried mushroom biomass to heat treatment.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat treatment is carried out for a period of up to about 15 hours.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of between about 200° F. to about 270° F.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat treatment is carried out in an autoclave.