Ergothioneine: An Antioxidative, Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Compound from Mushroom Residuals

Author: mycolabadmin
12/1/2025
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Summary

Ergothioneine is a powerful antioxidant found mainly in mushrooms that protects brain health and reduces inflammation. Mushroom processing creates large amounts of waste like stems and leftover substrate that actually contain high levels of this beneficial compound. Scientists have developed sustainable methods to extract ergothioneine from this waste, creating opportunities for new health supplements and functional foods while reducing waste and supporting environmental sustainability.

Background

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing antioxidant compound that humans cannot synthesize endogenously, making dietary intake essential. Mushroom processing generates substantial residual biomass including stems, culls, and spent substrate that retain EGT concentrations comparable to commercial fruiting bodies. Low blood EGT levels correlate with cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, supporting its role as a conditionally essential micronutrient.

Objective

This review examines the occurrence and recovery of ergothioneine from mushroom processing residuals with focus on sustainable extraction approaches and their potential applications in industrial and circular bioeconomy contexts. The review consolidates evidence on EGT bioactivity, extraction methods, purification techniques, and applications in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Results

Mushroom processing residuals contain EGT levels comparable to fruiting bodies, with oyster mushroom stems showing equal or higher concentrations than caps. Multiple extraction methods are effective including hot water extraction, solvent extraction, high-hydrostatic-pressure extraction, and submerged fermentation, yielding up to 4.03 mg/g dry weight. EGT exerts neuroprotection through ROS scavenging, cytokine suppression, and Nrf2 pathway activation.

Conclusion

Valorizing mushroom residuals for EGT recovery offers a sustainable pathway to increase dietary availability of this neuroprotective antioxidant while supporting environmental sustainability and circular bioeconomy development. Despite challenges in standardization and regulatory approval, integrated extraction and purification systems combined with nano-encapsulation technologies enable scalable production for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications targeting neurodegenerative disease prevention.

Published in:Molecules,
Study Type:Review,
Source: 41375218