GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

378 GROWTH PARAMETERS
(1985), whose team found it in both the mycelium and the mushrooms. Their work showed strong
anti-tumor activity in mice against murine solid tumor, Sarcoma-18O in only 35 days, causing complete
tumor regression in 1/3 to 1/2 of the trials. Alkali extracts were found to be more effective than
cold or hot water infusions.
According to Chinese and Japanese reports, water extracts of this mushroom, when given to mice
implanted with tumors, inhibited tumor growth by more than 86%. (Nanba (1992); Ying et
al.,( 1987)). The dosage level was 1.0-10 milligrams of Maitake extract per kilogram of body weight
over ten days. No studies have yet been published in
ascertaining the extrapolation of this dosage
level from a mouse to a human. Dr. Fukumi Morishige suggests that vitamin C be taken with Maitake
(as well as with Ganoderma lucidum) as it helps reduce the polysaccharides into smaller, more usable
chains of sugars, increasing theirbio-availability. A protein-bound polysaccharide (D-fraction) is particularly effective via oral administration. How
these polysaccarides activate the mammalian immune system is unknown. However, an increase in
helper 'T' cells has been seen with someAlDS patients. With otherAlDS patients,the decline in helper
"T" cells is interrupted. Much more
research will be published in the next few years.
Other medicinal claims for this mushroom include: reduction of blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol,
chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS), and a wide variety of cancers.
For further information concerning the medicinal properties of this mushroom, refer to Adachi et
al. (1987); Kabir &Yamaguchi (1987); Adachi et aL, (1988), Hishida (1988); Yamada et al. (1990),
Nanba (1992), and Kubo eta!. (1994). Also see Chemical Pharmacological Bulletin 35(1) 1987 and
Japan Economic Journal (May, 1992). Articles in the popular press include Asahi Evening News,
(March 12,1993), and Natural Health (May, 1993).
Flavor, Preparation & Cooking: Towards the stem base, the flesh of this mushroom is thick and
dense, and is better sliced. The upper petal-like caps are better chopped. This mushroom can be prepared
in many ways, delighting the connoisseur mycophagist. Simply slicing and sautéing a Ia
Shiitake is simple and straight-forward. This mushroom can also be baked and stuffed with shrimp,
sliced almonds, spices, and topped with melted cheese. The late Jim Roberts of Lambert Spawn once
fed me this dish featuring a 1 lb. specimen which I devoured at one sitting, making for a very satisfying
meal and a sleepful night. Dried specimens can be powdered and used to make a refreshing tea.
Refer to the recipes in Chapter 24 which describes several methods for preparing Maitake.
Comments This species is delicious and much sought-after. Specimens weighing up to 100 lbs. have been
collected at the base of trees, snags, or stumps. Although primarily a saprophyte, G. frondosa behaves
facultatively as a parasite, attacking trees dying from other causes, especially elms and oaks.
From my experiences, only a few strains isolated from the wild perform under artificial conditions.
Those which do fruit, mature best if the environment is held constant between 5 5-60° F. (13-16 C).
Substantial fluctuation beyond this temperature range arrests fruitbody development. The best
fruitings are those which form slowly and are localized from one or two sites of primordia formation.
When Maitake is incubated outside the ideal temperature range, the fruitbody initials fail to further
differentiate. Should the entire surface of the block be encouraged to form primordia, an aborted plateau
of short folds results.
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