John Miller
L-theanine is an amino acid found in mushrooms, teas, and supplements. It is known to provide several health benefits, including stress relief, improved sleep, and reduced blood pressure. L-theanine is also believed to promote a sense of calmness and relaxation without causing drowsiness. While it can be consumed naturally through certain mushrooms, it can also be taken as a supplement or found in teas, such as green tea. One mushroom that contains L-theanine is the Basidiomycete fungus Xerocomus badius, which can be used to produce L-theanine through submerged fermentation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms that contain L-theanine | Xerocomus badius |
| L-theanine production method | Submerged fermentation |
| L-theanine benefits | Managing stress, anxiety, and insomnia |
| L-theanine food sources | Green tea, black tea, and some mushrooms |
| L-theanine supplement forms | Mushroom supplements, tea, and gummies |
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What You'll Learn
L-theanine is an amino acid
Theanine comes in two forms: L-theanine and D-theanine, with L-theanine being the most common form. L-theanine is similar to glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid that helps transmit nerve impulses in the brain. Theanine sometimes acts like glutamate in the body, but at other times seems to block its effects. Theanine may also affect the brain chemicals GABA, dopamine, and serotonin.
L-theanine has been reported to have a range of health benefits, including antioxidant, growth promoter, immune booster, anti-stress, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-aging, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety properties. It is used to improve mental function and is also taken for anxiety, mental impairment, stress, and other conditions, although there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses. L-theanine is said to help ease anxiety, stress, and insomnia, and research has linked it to reduced stress and anxiety in people experiencing stressful situations.
In addition to its health benefits, L-theanine also contributes to the taste and aroma of tea. It has a favourable flavour and is used as a functional ingredient in designer foods.
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It is produced by the mushroom Xerocomus badius
L-theanine is a rare amino acid that is mainly produced by the genus Camellia. It is also found in the Basidiomycete fungus mushroom Xerocomus badius, also known as Boletus badius or Imleria badia. This mushroom is commonly referred to as the bay bolete mushroom.
The mushroom X. badius was first identified as containing L-theanine in 1960 by Casimir, Jadot, and Renard. It can be extracted in massive quantities by the technique of submerged fermentation. This method involves optimising various parameters during fermentation, such as glucose levels, yeast extract, and broth volume. The maximum yield of L-theanine from X. badius is 17.2420 mg/L, achieved under optimal conditions.
The strain of X. badius used for L-theanine production is typically maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) slants and subcultured every two months. The slants are incubated at a specific temperature and then stored at a cooler temperature. The seed culture medium contains glucose, yeast extract, KH2PO4, MgSO4·7H2O, and vitamin B1. The initial pH of the seed medium is adjusted to a slightly acidic level.
X. badius is a valuable natural product with potential health benefits. It has been studied for its medicinal properties, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. The L-theanine content in X. badius has been linked to reduced blood pressure and the inhibition of caffeine side effects. The mushroom is also a source of polysaccharides, which have shown mitotic activity in the Allium test.
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L-theanine can be extracted via submerged fermentation
L-theanine is a rare amino acid that is produced by the genus Camellia and is also found in the Basidiomycete fungus (mushroom) Xerocomus badius. This mushroom has been used to produce L-theanine via submerged fermentation.
Submerged fermentation is a strategic innovation to produce L-theanine. The mushroom X. badius was first obtained from the Mianyang Edible Fungi Research Institute in Sichuan, China. The strain was maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) slants and subcultured every two months. The slants were incubated at 28 °C for 7 days and then stored at 4 °C. The seed culture medium contained glucose, yeast extract, KH2PO4, MgSO4·7H2O, and vitamin Bl. The initial pH of the seed medium was adjusted to 5.5.
Carbon sources play a critical role in the submerged fermentation of mushrooms. The maximum yield of L-theanine from X. badius (17.2420 mg/L) was achieved with glucose of 29.17 g/L, yeast extract of 6.38 g/L, and a broth volume of 61.43 mL.
L-theanine has a wide range of potential physiological effects, leading to a growing demand worldwide. Various methods have been developed to produce L-theanine, including tea callus cultivation, chemical synthesis, extraction from tea leaves, enzymatic synthesis, and microbial fermentation. Submerged fermentation is a novel protocol that offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical synthesis methods.
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It is a natural de-stressor
L-theanine is a rare amino acid that has been the focus of numerous studies due to its potential health benefits. It is a natural de-stressor that promotes a sense of calmness and relaxation without causing drowsiness. L-theanine is commonly found in green and black tea, but it can also be found in certain mushrooms and supplements.
One mushroom that contains L-theanine is the Xerocomus badius, also known as the Basidiomycete fungus. This mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is now being studied for its potential health benefits. By using submerged fermentation, large quantities of L-theanine can be extracted from the Xerocomus badius mushroom.
The Lion's Mane mushroom, while not mentioned as containing L-theanine, is another adaptogen with potent nootropic effects. It supports mental clarity and enhances memory, making it a valuable tool for students, professionals, and the elderly. Lion's Mane can be easily incorporated into culinary applications such as soups, broths, and smoothies, providing a creative and enjoyable way to improve brain health and overall wellness.
Reishi, often referred to as the "mushroom of immortality," is another well-respected mushroom in traditional medicine. It is known for its ability to strengthen the immune system and its adaptogenic properties, making it a powerful tool against stress. Reishi helps to reduce the body's stress response, stabilize mood, and promote overall calmness and better sleep quality.
By incorporating these mushrooms, either through dietary intake or supplements, individuals can harness the natural de-stressing properties of L-theanine and promote overall mental and physical well-being. These mushrooms offer a creative and versatile approach to improving health and enhancing daily routines.
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It is also found in tea
L-theanine is a unique non-protein amino acid found abundantly in tea leaves. It is a secondary metabolite that is the main source of tea flavour. It is found in all loose-leaf teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant, also known as the tea plant, which originated in China. This includes black, white, oolong, purple, green, yellow, and dark teas. However, herbal teas will not contain any L-theanine as they are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant.
L-theanine is produced in the roots of tea plants and then transported to the shoots. It is also responsible for the umami taste in tea. Theanine was first extracted and identified from the Basidiomycete fungus (mushroom) Xerocomus badius in 1960, and it can now be extracted in massive quantities by the technique of submerged fermentation.
Certain types of tea contain particularly high levels of L-theanine, including matcha, shade-grown green teas, and first flush teas. Factors that can influence the L-theanine content in tea include growing practices and harvest time. For example, shade-grown Japanese teas tend to be especially high in L-theanine due to the shading process inducing a stress response in the tea plant, resulting in elevated levels of L-theanine. Teas harvested early in the spring, such as first flush teas and silver needle teas, also tend to have higher levels of L-theanine.
L-theanine has a range of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, metabolic regulatory, cardiovascular protective, liver and kidney protective, immune regulatory, and anti-obesity effects. It can also help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and enhance cognitive performance, alertness, and focus when combined with caffeine. However, it is important to note that the evidence supporting many health claims is limited, and more human research is needed.
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Frequently asked questions
L-theanine, an amino acid, is found in the Basidiomycete fungus (mushroom) Xerocomus badius. It can be extracted in large quantities by submerged fermentation.
L-theanine is a natural de-stressor that promotes a sense of calmness and relaxation without drowsiness. It is also believed to improve focus and sleep.
L-theanine can be consumed naturally through mushrooms, green tea, or black tea. It is also available in supplement form or in mushroom supplements.
