Auricularia Recisa Mushroom
Also known as: Auricularia cornea, Auricularia polytricha, Auricularia auricula-judae, Wood ear mushroom, Cloud ear mushroom, Jelly ear mushroom
Overview
Auricularia cornea, commonly known as wood ear or cloud ear mushroom, is an edible fungus widely cultivated and consumed in Asia. It's characterized by its distinctive ear-like shape and jelly-like texture. This mushroom is grown on decaying wood and is often produced using agricultural waste like sawdust and rice straw. It is valued both as a culinary ingredient and in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits. Auricularia cornea is rich in polysaccharides, proteins, and minerals, particularly potassium, iron, and zinc. Research suggests it possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. While primarily used in Asian cuisine, it is also available as a dietary supplement. However, it is important to note that most research is preclinical, and high-quality clinical trials are limited, necessitating cautious interpretation of its purported health benefits.
Benefits
Auricularia cornea exhibits several potential health benefits, primarily supported by in vitro and animal studies. It demonstrates significant antioxidant activity due to its high phenol and flavonoid content, which helps in scavenging free radicals. Limited evidence suggests potential benefits for blood sugar regulation, although robust clinical data are lacking. Polysaccharides from Auricularia species have shown immune-enhancing effects in animal models, indicating potential immunomodulatory properties. Additionally, its high potassium, iron, and zinc content makes it a potential dietary supplement for mineral intake. However, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits and determine their clinical significance. The effect sizes and time course of these benefits are not well-established in humans.
How it works
Auricularia cornea's mechanism of action involves several biological pathways. Its antioxidant effects are attributed to polysaccharides and phenolic compounds acting as free radical scavengers. The immunomodulatory properties are thought to stem from polysaccharides stimulating immune cell activity. While there is a suggestion of modulation of glucose metabolism, the exact mechanisms for glycaemic control are not well understood. It primarily interacts with the immune and digestive systems. The polysaccharides are generally poorly absorbed but may exert effects via gut microbiota modulation. The known molecular targets are not well-defined but likely involve modulation of immune receptors and antioxidant enzymes.
Side effects
Auricularia cornea is generally recognized as safe when consumed as food. However, there is limited data on the long-term effects or high-dose supplementation. Common and uncommon side effects have not been reported in available literature. Rare side effects may include allergic reactions, although these are infrequent. No significant drug interactions have been reported, but there is a theoretical risk with immunosuppressants due to its immunomodulatory effects. There are no established contraindications, but caution is advised for individuals with mushroom allergies. While there are no specific contraindications for pregnancy, lactation, or children, evidence supporting its safety in these populations is lacking. Further research is needed to fully assess the safety profile of Auricularia cornea, especially with concentrated supplement forms.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose of Auricularia cornea is not established in humans. Typical culinary use involves 5–20 g of dry weight per serving. There is a lack of clinical data to support specific supplement dosing recommendations. The maximum safe dose is also not established, but no toxicity has been reported at culinary doses. There is no data on optimal timing for consumption. It is most commonly consumed as dried or fresh mushroom, while extract forms are less studied. Polysaccharides are poorly absorbed, and their effects may be mediated via gut microbiota. No required cofactors have been identified. Due to the limited clinical data, it is advisable to start with low doses and monitor for any adverse effects.
FAQs
Is Auricularia cornea safe to consume?
Yes, it is generally safe for most individuals when consumed as a food. However, supplement use should be approached with caution due to the lack of extensive clinical data.
What are the potential benefits of Auricularia cornea?
Potential benefits include antioxidant activity and mineral supplementation. However, robust clinical evidence supporting significant health benefits is currently lacking.
How should Auricularia cornea be consumed?
It can be consumed with meals. There are no specific recommendations for timing or administration. It is commonly used in dried or fresh form in culinary applications.
Are there any known side effects?
No significant side effects have been reported at typical dietary intakes. Allergic reactions are possible but rare. Caution is advised for individuals with mushroom allergies.
Is Auricularia cornea a proven treatment for any medical condition?
No, it is not a proven treatment for any medical condition. Its benefits are primarily based on preclinical data, and more human studies are needed.
Research Sources
- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12671 – This in vitro and animal study demonstrated that Auricularia cornea extracts exhibit significant antioxidant activity and potential glycaemic control effects. However, the study is limited by the lack of human clinical data, making it difficult to directly translate the findings to human health benefits. The research provides preclinical evidence supporting the potential of Auricularia cornea as a functional food.
- https://www.mycosphere.org/pdf/MYCOSPHERE_10_1_10.pdf – This review highlights that Auricularia species are rich in polysaccharides, proteins, and minerals, suggesting potential health benefits. Preclinical data supports immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. However, the review is limited by the lack of high-quality clinical evidence, particularly randomized controlled trials, which are needed to confirm these effects in humans.
- https://escipub.com/ijtcm-2020-03-0905/ – This study focuses on the proximate analysis and antioxidant activity of cultivated strains of Auricularia auricula, a closely related species. The findings confirm the presence of high nutritional and medicinal components, including phenols, flavonoids, and minerals, along with antioxidant activity. However, the study is limited as it is not a randomized controlled trial and is confined to proximate analysis and in vitro assays, lacking clinical outcome data.
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0281982&type=printable – This study investigates the impact of different sterilization methods on the nutritional content and antioxidant activity of Auricularia auricula. The results indicate that sterilization techniques can significantly affect the levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. While providing valuable insights into processing methods, the study's focus on processing techniques rather than direct health outcomes limits its direct applicability to assessing health benefits.
- https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjs/article/view/222333/209775 – This research explores the cultivation and nutritional composition of Auricularia species in a specific geographic region. The study provides data on the mineral content and other nutritional aspects of the mushroom. However, it does not include clinical trials or human studies, limiting its ability to provide evidence for specific health benefits in humans.
