Antimicrobial properties of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) Sir, The shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Sing, is a culinary delicacy and has traditionally been used as medicine in Asia dating back over 2000 years. Shiitake mushrooms contain protein, lipids (primarily linoleic acid), carbohydrates, fibre, minerals, vitamins B1, B2 and C, and ergosterol, the D provitamin [1]. One of the major compounds isolated from the shiitake mushroom is lentinan [(C6 H10 O5 )n ], a polysaccharide with a mean molecular mass of 500 kDa which acts as an activator for macrophage Tlymphocytes and other immune effector cells that modulate the release of.
