The present study investigated the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds present in Trametes versicolor (TV), Hericium erinaceus (HE), and Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) species, following simulated gastrointestinal digestion (GID), with a special focus on polysaccharide and protein fractions. Biochemical characterization revealed that polysaccharides were the most prevalent, varying between 76.15 and 80.45 % of dry weight (DW) without significant differences between species. (1→4)-α-glucans were the most abundant, followed by (1→4)-β-glucans. A wide distribution of MW was found in the polysaccharide fraction, with a higher concentration of polysaccharides over 107 kDa. Protein content ranged from 4.08 to 6.28 % DW in the three species, with TV exhibiting significantly higher content of total and soluble protein.

The mushroom biomasses used in this study were supplied by Mycology Research Laboratories Ltd.