Proximate Composition, Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Ten Selected Wild Edible Nigerian Mushrooms.

Abstract

Wild edible mushrooms of several species are grown in different part of Nigeria for various reasons. In this study, the proximate, antioxidant activity as well as the phytochemical screening of ten selected wild edible Nigerian mushrooms including Cantharelle cibarius, Laccaria amethysta, Clitocybe odora, Lepista nuda, Macrolepiotata procera, Lepista saeva, Lactarius deliciousus, Laccaria laccata, Pleurotus ostreatus and Hericium erinaceus were investigated. The mushrooms were harvested fresh, sun dried, pulverized and analyzed according to standard procedures. Proximate analysis showed high level of proteins (14.03 – 60.38%), crude fibre(3.94 – 20.36%), carbohydrate(4.17 -32.50%), ash (17.44 – 33.60%), fat(1.29-14.29%) and folic acids(4.75 – 5.51g/g) in all species. Mineral analysis of all species indicated the presence of potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, calcium, copper and Iron. Potassium is of the highest amount in all species of plant (1370-5710g/100g). High antioxidant activity was also observed in these mushrooms with the specie L. amethysta and L. nuda exhibiting the strongest antioxidant activity with values as high as 53.64 and 53.65nm respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of varying quantities of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins with absence of anthraquinones and steroids. These bioactive compounds together with the high antioxidant activities obtained in some species and the nutrient contents in all species may be responsible for their nutritional and therapeutic uses. These results therefore not only make these wild edible mushrooms popular to consume as good food sources but may also be valuable in drug development.