Fatty acid composition of wild mushroom species of order Agaricales—Examination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and chemometrics

Applying gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of 4,4-dimethyloxazoline fatty acid derivatives, the fatty acid composition of 15 mushroom species belonging to 9 genera and 5 families of order Agaricales growing in Bulgaria is determined. The structure of 31 fatty acids (not all present in each species) is unambiguously elucidated, with linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids being the main components (ranging between 70.9% (Marasmius oreades) and 91.2% (Endoptychum agaricoides)). A group of three hexadecenoic positionally isomeric fatty acids, 6-, 9- and 11–16:1, appeared to be characteristic components of the examined species. By applying chemometrics it was possible to show that the fatty acid composition closely reflects the classification of the species.

► 15 mushroom species from 9 genera and 5 families of order Agaricales were analyzed.
► 31 fatty acids were measured as DMOX derivatives using GC–MS.
► Isomers 6-, 9- and 11–16:1 appeared to be characteristic for the examined species.
► PCA was used for multivariate exploration.
► Fatty acids separating the mushroom families were identified by PCA.