What You Need to Know
Fungal mycelium assimilates nitrogen from substrates such as soybean meal, converting it into amino acids through the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the glutamine synthetase pathway. Protein synthesis is driven by ribosomal translation, while cell wall polysaccharides provide structural support. Thermal processing denatures proteins but preserves flavor compounds like glutamates, contributing to umami taste.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Nitrogen assimilation and protein biosynthesis in fungal mycelium