The goal of this research was to determine the phytosterol content of dried mushrooms and compare the results to that previously reported by others for fresh mushrooms. Ergosterol is particularly important due to its role as a light-activated precursor of vitamin D2. Dried mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus and Morchella) were Soxhlet extracted with petroleum ether, saponified (1M NaOH in EtOH), extracted again with petroleum ether, dried over Na2SO4, and derivatized as TMS-ethers, which were analyzed by GC-MS. Our results suggest similar sterol content for dried and fresh mushrooms. However, ergosterol was found to be significantly less abundant in dried mushrooms (oyster = 67%, morel = 19 ± 2%) than in fresh mushrooms (oyster = 84%, morel = 30-40%). An unknown sterol previously reported in fresh morel mushrooms was confirmed to be present in dried morels and identified as 24-methylenecholesterol.

GC-MS analysis of phytosterol content of dried mushrooms

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.