Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. (Basidiomycota) – known as the oyster mushroom – is a mushroom species distributed on all continents, except for Antarctica. Since World War I it has been commercially cultivated on a large scale. Pleurotus ostreatus is a valuable mushroom of dietary importance. It is rich in primary and secondary metabolites and chemical elements of physiological significance. One hundred grams of fresh fruiting bodies contains 15% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 40% of niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin, and 0.5 mg of vitamin B_12. This species is also characterized by a high content of oleic acid (40%), linolenic acid (55%), and substances responsible for decreasing serum cholesterol levels. High contents of lovastatin, an approved hypolipidemic drug, and pleuran, an immunomodulating polysaccharide, have been found in fruiting bodies of this species. It exhibits antiatherosclerotic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. Due to its wide spectrum of biological activities, P. ostreatus is considered a medicinal mushroom. Fruiting bodies and extracts of P. ostreatus have found applications in the treatment of civilization – related diseases, especially diabetes, arteriosclerosis and cancer. It is also a potential source of active ingredients in cosmetics and topically applied preparations.

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