The effect of drying temperature (30, 40, 50, 60) on chemical components of Shiitake mushroom(Lentinus edodss) was investigate. When compared proximate composition on pileus and stipe of raw and dried materials, all of them were found to be higher in the stipe part than in the pileus part. The major components of organic acid were oxalic, citric, malic, malonic and pyroglutaric acid. The contents of free and total amino acids in pileus and stipe were 3458.4, 7640.2mg% for pilueus; 2298.0, 6171.5mg% for stipe on dry basis, respectively. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the changes of crude ash and organic acids content of Shiitake mushroom among drying temperatures. But the amount of crude fats was increased and that of reducing sugars was decreased with increase of drying temperature. The contents of crude proteins of pileus part of dried materials were increased with increased drying temperature, but those of stile part were gradually decreased. The contents of free amino acids decreased with increase in drying temperature, but those of total amino acids were gradually increased.

Drying of Shiitake mushroom was investigated to see the effect of temperature, relative humidity of drying air and diameter of the pileus on its rates. The drying rate was increased with the increase of the air temperature and the decrease of the relative humidity. The external color was dark brown at higher drying temperature and higher relative humidity. Exponential and Thompson nodel were found to describe well the raying process of the Shiitake mushroom.