In vitro and in vivo testing of the hypocholesterolemic activity of ergosterol- and β-glucan-enriched extracts obtained from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes).

Herein, a supercritical extraction plant (with a 6 L extraction cell) was successfully used to obtain ergosterol-enriched extracts from Lentinula edodes under the following conditions: a temperature of 40 °C, pressure of 225 bar, reaction time of 1-5 h, and the flow rate of 20 L h for recirculated CO. Moreover, ergosterol (ERG) and the SFE extract (SFE) with highest ergosterol concentration were microemulsified and submitted to in vitro digestion to study their ability to displace cholesterol from dietary mixed micelles (DMMs). ERG was also mixed with a β-glucan-enriched (33.