Amino acid profile of eighteen isolates of different edible macrofungal species

Edible mushrooms from India (18 isolates belonging to 4 species) were profiled for protein, free and bound amino acids (AA). The protein content (range of 9.5-32.6%) was highest in Pleurotus cintrinopileatus and P. sajor-caju; free AA (range of 11.6-73.1 mg/g DW) was higher in Hypsizygus tessulatus and Agrocybe aegerita, bound AA (range of 57.4- 171.9 mg/g DW) was also high in H. ulmarius, P. djamor, P. florida, P. sajor-caju. The essential free and bound AAs and chemical scores of isoleucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine were highest, higher in Hericium erinaceus, P. cystidiosus, P. eryngi, P. sajor-caju. The isoleucine (Ile) score in the free fraction of selected mushrooms was comparable or higher than the best five plant sources, while tryptophan (Trp) scores were almost double. Thus, these mushrooms are good sources of Ile, Trp, and aromatic amino acids. The conditionally essential and nonessential AAs were also quantified. This study reveals the diversity in protein and AA and nutritionally superior mushroom species.