The lipid components of four strains ofAgricus bisporus (Lange) Sing., the cultivated mushroom, were analyzed. Both sporophore and mycelial samples were obtained from beds in normal production. A method for obtaining mycelium free of compost was developed. Neutral lipids were separated from polar lipids by silicic acid column chromatography. Each fraction was separated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Sporophore extracts contained free sterol, free fatty acid, triglycerides, phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. High amounts of linoleic acid were found in both neutral and polar lipid fractions. Mycelial extracts contained free fatty acids, triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. No free sterol could be detected. Linoleic acid was also present in large amounts.

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Supplementation of compost at casing with various ground seeds caused greater increases in mushroom yield than their respective seed oil meals when supplemented and compared at equivalent rates of nitrogen addition.Supplementation with various refined and crude seed oils increased mushroom yield, particularly in the first break or flush of mushrooms. This constitutes evidence for a relationship between lipid metabolism and the initiation of fruiting in the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing.

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