Significance and cultivation techniques of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler)

Mushrooms have been considered as possessing enormous nutritional and medicinal values. Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, popularly known as Shiitake, is the second-most consumed mushroom in the world. It is a specialty mushroom, is a basidiomycetous, non-pathogenic fungus grown all over the world and is native to East Asia. Shiitake mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular among local consumers due to its enticing aroma, unique culinary characteristics and tough texture. Shiitake has been grown on a variety of substrates in both natural and artificial environments making it a promising cultivable choice among mushroom growers. The Japanese specialty mushroom offers an array of nutritional qualities including medicinal benefits viz., anti-cancerous, antitumor and anticholesterolemic. Shiitake can be consumed in dry forms and fresh versions as per the likeliness of the consumers. Shiitake in temperate climate naturally develops on decaying or dead hard wood. However, for commercial purpose, it is grown on logs (synthetic logs), sawdust blocks (synthetic bag blocks), or sawdust pellets. This review shed light on the nutritional, medicinal properties, cultivation techniques and future prospective of the L. edodes, the shiitake mushroom.