| abstract |
The present invention describes new and distinct strains of higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms, and a process for growing them in submerged culture. Specifically, the new strains of species of the genus Pleurotus offer superior yields of mushroom biomass and concentrations of biologically active compounds, for example, cholesterol-lowering compounds, lectins, proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins or polysaccharides. The process includes use of defined media and a simple one-step procedure of separating the lovastatin-containing nutriceuticals from culture broth. |