Abstract:[Background] The Chinese medicine Sanghuang contains active components such as polysaccharides, sterols, triterpenoids, and total phenols, exhibiting exceptional medicinal values including antioxidant, free radical-scavenging, immune-enhancing, and anti-tumor properties. Inonotus hispidus is a type of Sanghuang. Currently, there are limited research reports on the nutrient composition of I. hispidus. [Objective] To explore the nutritional value and content of active components in I. hispidus. [Methods] The levels of basic nutrients, active components, and pesticide and heavy metal residues were measured in the golden-colored MS-5 fruiting bodies, black MS-5 fruiting bodies, and golden-colored MS-9 fruiting bodies of I. hispidus and compared the measured results with those in the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. [Results] The protein content and ash content in the three types of I. hispidus fruiting bodies increased by 1.96–2.20 times and 3.69–5.66 times compared with that of G. lucidum, respectively. The fruiting bodies of I. hispidus contained seven essential amino acids required by the human body. Moreover, the MS-9 (golden) fruiting bodies had the highest level of essential amino acids, which was 2.28 times and 1.62 times of that in G. lucidum and eggs, respectively. The content of polysaccharides, total phenols, and total flavonoids in the three types of I. hispidus fruiting bodies was 1.48–1.56, 3.42–5.70, and 3.67–4.83 times of that in G. lucidum, respectively. Furthermore, the levels of pesticide and heavy metal residues in I. hispidus fruiting bodies were below the national standards. [Conclusion] This study demonstrates that I. hispidus has a remarkable nutritional value and and promising medicinal value, as well as being safe and environmentally friendly, providing a scientific basis for its medicinal development.
