Vitamin D-2 (ergocalciferol) and sterols* were studied in mushrooms in the U.S., and the results will be added to the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
Vitamin D-2 was low in Agaricus bisporus (including white button, crimini and portabella mushrooms), and enoki mushrooms. Vitamin D-2 was moderate in shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Vitamin D-2 was high in morel, chanterelle, maitake and UV-treated portabello mushrooms.
Ergosterol was highest in maitake and shiitake mushrooms, while lowest in morel and enoki mushrooms.
Only morel mushrooms contained brassicasterol and campesterol.
NOTE: Vitamin D-2 is the plant form and vitamin D-3 is the animal form of vitamin D.
Steroids are a large class of chemicals based on their structure which includes cholesterol, sex hormones and and renal hormones. *Sterols are a type of steroid which occur in plants, animals and fungi. Cholesterol is an animal sterol. Plant sterols are called phytosterols and include stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol. Ergosterol occurs in fungi. The sterols occur in the skin of animals and fungi. Sterols occur in human skin oil. Brassicasterol is produced primarily by marine algae.
Sterols are used as a supplement for the treatment of high cholesterol, as they block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. Sterols are found in seeds, grains, nuts and other foods, and are being added to some foods to lower cholesterol. Cholesterol is found in the human skin and is necessary for the production of vitamin D-3.
Doesn’t it seem odd that a study done for the United States Department of Agriculture would cost $35.00 for us to read the full article. Isn’t that paid for by our tax money? This is an issue of freedom of information. Didn’t Aaron Swartz die over this issue?
Read about polyamines in mshrooms.
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PMID: 21663327. Summary #522.
