Enzymic Formation of Volatile Compounds in Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinus edodes Sing.)

Volatile compounds of Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes Sing.) are composed of eight-carbon containing alcohols and sulfur compounds. 1-Octen-3-ol and 2-octen-1-ol are the major C8-compounds comprising the "mushroom" character of Shiitake mushroom. The characteristic "sulfurous" note of Shiitake mushroom is composed of cyclic S-compounds, such as lenthionine (C2 H4 S5, 1,2,3,5,6-pentathiepane), 1,2,4,5-tetrathiane (C2H4S4) and 1,2,4-trithiolane(C2 H 4 S 3). Formation of C8-compounds and S-compounds result from enzymic activities during rupture and/or drying of the tissue. C8-compounds are formed enzymically from linoleic acid. The formation of S-compounds involves two processes, enzymic reactions of lentinic acid as substrate and non-enzymic polymerization of methylene disulfide.