Polyporus umbellatus explained

Polyporus umbellatus is an edible species of mushroom, found growing on roots of old beeches or oak (e.g.^[1]). It is also called umbrella polypore.

Description

The fruit body is composed of numerous (sometimes several hundred) caps. They are 1–4 cm in diameter, deeply umbilicate, light brown, and form the extremities of a strong, many branched stalk. The compound fungus can be up to 40 cm in diameter. The pores are narrow and white. The stalk is whitish grey, and originates from a strong, tuber-like nodule that is underground. The flesh is white, rather soft when young, although hardens with age.

Edibility and cooking

Choice edible.^[2]

Bioactive compounds

Polyporus umbellatus may contain bioactive compounds with immunostimulating, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties.^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]}

Notes and References

1. Kunca V., 2011: Ecology and incidence of Polyporus umbellatus in Slovakia. Czech Mycology 63(1): 39–53. http://www.czechmycology.org/_cm/CM63104.pdf
2. Web site: 2019-06-25 . Polyporus umbellatus . 2022-11-09 . Midwest American Mycological Information . en-US.
3. Li X, Xu W, Chen J . Polysaccharide purified from Polyporus umbellatus (Per) Fr induces the activation and maturation of murine bone-derived dendritic cells via toll-like receptor 4. . Cell Immunol . 2010 . 265 . 1 . 50–6 . 20673883 . 10.1016/j.cellimm.2010.07.002 .
4. Zhao YY, Chao X, Zhang Y, Lin RC, Sun WJ . Cytotoxic Steroids from Polyporus umbellatus. . Planta Med . 2010 . 76. 15. 1755–8. 20458671 . 10.1055/s-0030-1249926 .
5. Sun Y, Yasukawa K . New anti-inflammatory ergostane-type ecdysteroids from the sclerotium of Polyporus umbellatus. . Bioorg Med Chem Lett . 2008 . 18 . 11 . 3417–20 . 18439824 . 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.04.008 .
6. Zhou WW, Lin WH, Guo SX . Two new polyporusterones isolated from the sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus. . Chem Pharm Bull . 2007 . 55 . 8 . 1148–50 . 17666835 . 10.1248/cpb.55.1148. free .
7. You JS, Hau DM, Chen KT, Huang HF . Combined effects of chuling (Polyporus umbellatus) extract and mitomycin C on experimental liver cancer. . Am J Chin Med . 1994 . 22 . 1 . 19–28 . 8030616 . 10.1142/S0192415X94000048.
8. Ohsawa T, Yukawa M, Takao C, Murayama M, Bando H . Studies on constituents of fruit body of Polyporus umbellatus and their cytotoxic activity. . Chem Pharm Bull . 1992 . 40 . 1 . 143–7 . 1576664 . 10.1248/cpb.40.143. free .
9. Zhang YH, Liu YL, Yan SC . [Effect of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide on function of macrophages in the peritoneal cavities of mice with liver lesions] . Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi . 1991 . 11 . 4 . 225–6, 198 . 1773459 .
10. Lin YF, Wu GL . [Protective effect of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide on toxic hepatitis in mice] . Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao . 1988 . 9 . 4 . 345–8 . 3195347 .