Process Development of Ergothioneine by Submerged Fermentation of a Novel Medicinal Mushroom Panus Conchatus

Abstract Ergothioneine is a natural and safe antioxidant playing an important role in anti-aging and the prevention of various diseases. Mushrooms are the main dietary source of ergothioneine. This study aims to report a kind of medicinal mushroom Panus conchatus with great potential for the bioproduction of ergothioneine. Molasses and soy peptone could promote cell growth of Panus conchatus and enhance the accumulation of ergothioneine. Meanwhile, three precursors of cysteine, histidine and methionine were added to the broth, and the highest ergothioneine concentration of 148.79mg/L was obtained when adding 0.4 g/L cysteine. Finally, the crude ergothioneine extract was purified and further evaluated. The ergothioneine from Panus conchatus showed higher antioxidant activity than vitamin C and glutathione with good stability at lower pH environment. This research would provide a new method for the bioproduction of ergothioneine and lay foundation for the in-depth study about the exploration of natural products from Panus conchatus.