# Influence of Plant-Based Substrate Composition and Extraction Method on Accumulation of Bioactive Compounds in Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. Fruiting Bodies

## TL;DR

This study shows how different plant substrates and extraction methods affect the levels of health-promoting compounds in Hericium erinaceus mushrooms.

## Contribution

The study introduces an innovative approach to comparing waste-based substrates and extraction methods for maximizing bioactive compound accumulation in Hericium erinaceus.

## Key findings

- Beech sawdust substrates produced higher levels of bioactive compounds compared to hemp straw.
- Dual extraction with moderate ethanol concentrations was most effective for isolating key metabolites like ergothioneine and lovastatin.
- Whole fruiting bodies retained higher levels of bioelements than extracts, despite enhanced antioxidant activity in extracts.

## Abstract

The selection of plant-based substrates for mushroom cultivation is a key factor influencing their growth and metabolism. The aim of this study was to demonstrate, in an innovative approach, differences in the content of biologically active compounds, bioelements, and antioxidant properties of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. cultivated on various plant-based substrates derived from waste materials, specifically hemp straw and beech sawdust. Another objective was to compare various extraction methods in terms of their impact on the concentration of these compounds. Elemental analysis was performed using the TXRF method, while bioactive constituents were determined using the DAD/UV RP-HPLC technique. The plant-based substrate and extraction method influenced the levels of obtained metabolites. Dual extraction with moderate ethanol concentrations was most effective for isolating key bioactive compounds from H. erinaceus—notably ergothioneine, lovastatin, L-phenylalanine, and ergosterol—while antioxidant activity did not correlate with the concentration of the solvent used. Although dual extracts enhanced certain antioxidants and metabolites, whole fruiting bodies contained higher levels of bioelements. Overall, fruiting bodies grown on beech sawdust had greater amounts of most bioactive compounds compared to those cultivated on hemp straw, emphasizing that both substrate choice and extraction method critically influence the mushroom’s bioactive profile and its potential health benefits.