Analysis of Nutritional and Nutraceutical Properties of Wild-Grown Mushrooms of Nepal

The study was conducted to evaluate nutritional properties of wild grown mushrooms collected from Nepal. Herein, it was reported and compared the nutritional value and nutraceutical values of the wild mushroom species; Laetiporus sulphureus (chicken of the woods), Trametes elegans, Trichaptum biforme, Lenzites betulina, Stereum complicatum, Trametes versicolor, Trichaptum subchartaceum, and Ganoderma Lucidium. These mushrooms were found to be rich in proteins (6.8 – 60.23%), fibres ranging from 0.174 – 36.38% and also contained fat ranging from 3.642 – 14.6%. The carbohydrate contents ranged from 7.058 to 59% (on the basis of dry weight). Similarly; ash content and moisture content ranged from 10 – 19% and 10 – 16% respectively. The protein content was highest in G. lucidium and lowest in T. elegans. The fat content was highest in L. sulphureus and lowest in G. lucidium. Total phenolic content was estimated spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteus method. The analysis revealed that the total phenolic contents ranged from 3.95 to 10.05 mg ml-1. Similarly, the total flavonoid contents ranged from 2.149 to 11.36 mg ml-1. Our result indicated the high levels of antioxidants activity thus making mushrooms suitable to be used as functional foods or nutraceutical sources. Therefore, this study provides new information regarding chemical properties of wild mushrooms, which is very important for the biodiversity characterization.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).