Methods of increasing the amount of one or more functional compounds in
medicinal mushroom biomass and mushroom mycelia by growing the mushrooms
on a substrate that is high in the functional compound or compounds of
interest is provided. More specifically, a method of increasing the
amount of anthocyanins in mushrooms is provided. Mushrooms are grown on a
substrate rich in anthocyanins, such as purple corn or other suitable
red, purple or black-pigmented substrate, and incorporate the
anthocyanins during growth. Mushrooms grown by this method, as well as
methods of improving the growth rate and potency of mushrooms, are also
provided.