Contents of some metabolites in the peel and flesh of the medicinal mushroom Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden et Gilb. (higher Basidiomycetes).

Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden et Gilb., also named Fu-Ling in Chinese, is a traditional Chinese medicine. Its inner parts of the sclerotia have an invigorating activity in addition to diuretic and sedative activities, while the epidermis has only diuretic activity and no invigorating activity. In the present study, samples were collected from three sites (Wuding, Tengchong and Fengqing) of Yunnan province and separated into peel and flesh parts. The contents of metabolites including polysaccharides, total triterpenoids, total flavonoids, total saponins, and mannitol were analyzed. Wuding samples had the highest polysaccharide (6.87 mg/g) and total triterpenoids (10.12 mg/g). Fengqing samples indicated the highest total flavonoids (4.53 mg/g), total saponins (28.66 mg/g), and mannitol (64.20 mg/g). The contents of components in the dry samples were higher than the fresh ones. Total triterpenoids, total flavonoids, and total saponins in the peel of investigated W. cocos were all higher than in the flesh. However, polysaccharide and mannitol in the peel were uniform with the flesh. The different distribution of the metabolites provided the basis for further study of pharmacology.