Key takeaways
- Oyster mushrooms are among the richest dietary sources of ergothioneine.
- They contain beta-glucans; research on pleuran applies to that preparation only.
- As food they provide protein, fibre, B vitamins and minerals.
- Hot water draws out ergothioneine and beta-glucans; alcohol draws out sterols.
Oyster mushrooms are nutritious food and contain several compounds of research interest. This article introduces the main ones.
Ergothioneine
Oyster mushrooms, and their relative the King Oyster, are among the richest known dietary sources of ergothioneine, an unusual sulphur-containing compound made by fungi.
Beta-glucans
Oyster mushroom cell walls contain beta-glucans. A specific beta-glucan preparation from Pleurotus ostreatus, known as pleuran, has been studied in its own right; research on it applies to that preparation, not to Oyster mushrooms generally.
Nutrients
As food, Oyster mushrooms provide protein, dietary fibre, B vitamins and minerals such as potassium, with very little fat.
Sterols
Like other fungi, they contain sterols, including ergosterol.
In an extract
Ergothioneine and beta-glucans are water-soluble and drawn out by hot water; sterols dissolve better in alcohol. See How Oyster Mushroom Extracts Are Made.
