Proximate Compositions and Bioactive Compounds of Cultivated and Wild Auricularia auricular from Northeastern China

Auricularia auricular is a traditional Chinese edible and medicinal fungus containing several bioactive compounds that have been proven to possess various healing effects. Around 98% of the global yield is provided by China and Heilongjiang province produces more than 52% of the total yield for the country. Meanwhile, Auricularia auricular harvested in this province is very famous for its superior quality. However, chemical compositions and bioactive compounds of Auricularia auricular grown in this region have not yet been investigated.

Proximate compositions and bioactive compounds in 36 cultivated and wild Auricularia auricular samples collected from Northeastern China were compared and analyzed. The average contents of protein, fat, fiber, ash, moisture, polysaccharide, total saccharide, and total flavonoid were determined to be 11.42%, 1.46%, 5.45%, 3.85%, 13.30%, 38.91%, 47.37%, and 2.18 mg 100 g-1, respectively. Amino acid compositions and nutritive element contents were also detected. Results showed that no significant difference exists for protein, fat, fiber, ash, moisture, polysaccharide, and total saccharide contents between wild and cultivated A. auricular samples. While wild A. auricular samples contained over three times more content than cultivated samples. Some varieties with high calcium and iron contents were found in this study. White A. auricular was determined to have a very high fiber content of 16.39%.

This study reveals proximate compositions and bioactive compounds of cultivated and wild Auricularia auricular from Northeastern China and people will benefit from our results due to the special nutrition and bioactive compounds of Auricularia auricular harvested in this region.