Marked formation of thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, an effective nitrite trapping agent in vivo, on boiling of dried shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes)

Abstract

Thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TCA, thioproline) is a condensation product of cysteine and formaldehyde. TCA is an effective nitrite trapping agent in the human body and may block endogenous formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. In this study, was investigated the levels of TCA in five edible mushrooms. Dried samples soaked in water contain a specific system for generating formaldehyde via the formation of lenthionine from lentinic acid