Abstract
Changes in the contents of carbohydrates in pilei and stipes of Shiitake-mushroom [Lentinus edodes (BERK.) SING.)] during post-harvest storage at six storage temperatures (-20, 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30°C) and two drying processes (air drying, freeze drying) were investigated. (1) The shelf life of Shiitake-mushroom was about 20-24 days at 0°C, about 15 days at 5°C, 6-8 days at 10°C, 3-4 days at 20°C and 2-3 days at 30°C. (2) In this mushroom, arabitol, mannitol, trehalose, glucose and fructose were identified, and arabitol, mannitol and trehalose were found to be major among them. During the post-harvest storage, the contents of each element decreased except mannitol. Especially the decrease in arabitol was marked, which shows that arabitol is a major respiratory substrate. The arabitol consumption at 5°C are much less than 10°C, and the storage at the below 5°C turned out to be an effective way of storing. (3) The five polysaccharide fraction contents : formic acid-soluble fraction (R-glucan), alkali-soluble, acid-soluble fraction, hot alkali-soluble fraction, alkali-soluble, acid-insoluble fraction (s-glucan) and Chitin had no change during the post-harvest storage, and had a role of composing elements of cell wall. The acetic acid-soluble fraction content of the post-harvest storage decreased, and it was storage carbohydrate. (4) The contents of free sugars, free sugar alcohols and polysaccharides of Shiitake-mushroom during the air drying process and the freeze drying process had no change.
