Interspecies distribution and processing stability of ergothioneine and histidine in commercially available mushrooms

Ergothioneine is a widespread thiol metabolite present in fungal and bacterial species. Ergothioneine has been demonstrated to increase the lifespan of the model laboratory species C. elegans and M. musculus through increased protein crosslinking. It is rapidly gaining popularity as a fungal derived nutraceutical compound, however the complete mushrooms species distribution and ecological role of ergothioneine is unknown. We show ergothioneine concentrations appear to be highest in mushroom species that are capable of cellulose degradation. We also show that ergothioneine is a thermally stable compound and does not appear to degrade but rather increases in concentration in cooked mushrooms.