Agaricus blazei
From Freepedia
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| Agaricus blazei Murrill | ||||||||||||||||||
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Agaricus blazei Murill is a mushroom, sometimes also known as ABM, cogumelo do sol (mushroom of the sun), cogumelo de deus (mushroom of god), cogumelo de vida, himematsutake, royal sun agaricus, mandelpilz, and almond mushroom. It is edible by humans and has a damp, sweet taste that reminds some people of the flavor of almonds.
The mushroom is a native from Piedade city, a mountain region near to São Paulo, Brazil.
History
It was first mentioned by the US Taxonomoist Murrill in the (Index of Fungi, 1947, pg. 16).
In 2002 Wasser, Didukh (Intl J Med Mush 4:267-290) discovered this species to be identical to the already known Agaricus brasiliensis.
In 2005 Kerrigan (Mycologia, 97(I), 2005, pp.12-24) proved by DNA sequencing that it is genetical identical to Agaricus subrufescens Peck, described in 1983. As the latter is the oldest name it would traditionally be considered the scientific-historically correct name.
Others propose it is identical with Agaricus Sylvaticus Schaeffer (german: wood mushroom). Both mushrooms are at least not easily to be separated.
Commercial use
Due to its high content of beta glucan, higher than both Reishi and Shiitake mushrooms, Agaricus subrufescens is used in oncological therapy, mainly in Japan and California. It has been commercially cultivated in Asia and South America since 1993. Because of this valuable polysaccharide, and lack of supply, Agaricus blazei is relatively expensive.
Agaricus blazei mushroom specifically helps in production of interferon and interleukin, which are instrumental in fighting off cancer cell metastasis, especially cancer of the uterus. It also reduces blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the effects of arteriosclerosis.
The Beta Glucan found in ABM is actually three different substances:
- 1. Beta-(1-3)-D-glucan
- 2. Beta-(1-4)-a -D-glucan
- 3. Beta - (1-6)-D-glucan
