Summary
An improved method for the determination of nucleic acid content in edible mushrooms is described. Details of tissue homogenization and extraction are also included. In regard to the limit suggested by the Protein Advisory Group of the United Nations System, the amount of nucleic acids found in Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus cystidiosus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Volvariella volvacea indicates that it is safe to consume mushrooms as daily vegetable. No significant changes have been found in the nucleic acid content of V. volvacea at different degrees of maturity. V. volvacea loses around 20% of its nucleic acids upon boiling for 10 min. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between the present finding and that given in an earlier report have been discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bano Z, Rajarathnam S (1982) Pleurotus mushroom as a nutrition good. In: Chang ST, Quimio TH (eds) Tropical Mushrooms — Biological Nature and Cultivation Methods. The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong, pp 363–380
Burton K (1968) Determination of DNA concentration with diphenylamine. In: Grossma L, Moldave K (eds) Methods of Enzymology, vol 12(B). Academic Press, New York, pp 163–166
Chandra P, Appel W (1973) Methoden der Molekularbiologie. Gustav Fischer Stuttgart
Chang ST (1980a) Mushrooms from waste. Food Policy 5:64–65
Chang ST (1980b) Mushrooms as human food. BioScience 30(6):399–401
Chang ST, Hayes WA (eds) (1978) The Biology and Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms. Academic Press, New York London
Chang ST, Yau CK (1971) Volvariella volvacea and its life history. Am J Bot 58:552–561
Crisan EV, Sands A (1978) Nutritive value. In: Chang ST, Hayes WA (eds) The Biology and Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms. Academic Press, New York London, pp 137–168
Delcaire JR (1978) Economics of edible mushrooms. In: Chang ST, Hayes WA (eds) The Biology and Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms. Academic Press, New York London, pp 727–793
Kihlberg R (1972) The microbe as a source of food. In: Clifton, CE, Raffel S, Starr MP (eds) Annual Review of Microbiology. Annual Reviews, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, pp 427–466
Li GSF, Chang ST (1982) Nutritive value of Volvariella volvacea. In: Chang ST, Quimio TH (eds) Tropical Mushrooms — Biological Nature and Cultivation Methods. The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong, pp 199–219
Mori K (1974) Mushrooms as Health Foods. Japan Publications, Tokyo
Munro HN, Fleck A (1966) The determination of nucleic acids. In: Glick D (ed) Methods of Biochemical Analyses, vol. 14. InterScience, New York, pp 113–176
PAG (1970) Single-cell protein guideline No. 4. FAO/WHO/UNICEF Protein Advisory Group, United Nations, New York
Scrimshaw NS (1975) Single-cell protein for human consumption: an overview In: Tannenbaum SR, Wang DIC (eds) Single Cell Protein II. MIT Press, England, pp 4–12
Viikari L, Linko M (1977) Reduction of nucleic acid content of SCP. Proc Biochem 12:17–19
Volkin E, Cohn WE (1954) Estimation of nucleic acids. In: Glick D (ed) Methods of Biochemical Analysis, vol 1. InterScience, New York, pp 287–305
Webb JM, Levy HB (1958) New developments in the chemical determination of nucleic acids. In: Glick D (ed) Methods of Biochemical Analysis, vol 6. InterScience, New York, pp 1–30
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, G.S.F., Chang, S.T. The nucleic acid content of some edible mushrooms. European J. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 15, 237–240 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00499963
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00499963