On the Content of RNA of Dried Shiitake Mushroom Harvested in Different Seasons

Abstract

Commercial dried Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes Sing.) is classified roughly into Haruko, harvested from January to June, and Akiko harvested from July to December. The quantitative difference of RNA-phosphorus between Haruko and Akiko was determined using samples of nine commercial quality grades. The results obtained were as follows: RNA-phosphorus contents(phosphous μmol/g)were 24.2-35.2 in Haruko and 35.1-46.8 in Akiko harvested in 1974, 12.6-35.5 in Haruko and 34.1-45.9 in Akiko harvested in 1975, 24.7-34.3 in Haruko and 16.4-40.1 in Akiko harvested in 1976. Consequently Akiko showed significantly higher RNA-phosphorus content than Haruko. Kuroko, off-grade dried Shiitake mush-room showed less content of RNA-phosphorus than that of commercial grades. No differences were in RNase activities between Haruko and Akiko, and among the commercial grades of dried Shiitake harvested in 1976.