Abstract

*Ogundare G. R., Itelima J. U. and Onwuliri F. C.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the proximate, phytochemical, elemental andvitamin composition of some wild edible mushrooms (Pluerotus species) in Jos.Proximate analysis was conducted to determine crude protein, ash, moisture, and fatcontent. The protein concentration was higher, ranging from 23.07±0.40% to25.74±0.34% dry weight, while the fat concentration ranged from 2.77% to 3.25%dry weight, in the four mushrooms studied. The analyzed mushrooms alsocontained phytochemicals such as phenolics, oxalates, saponins, tannins, cyanide,phytate, and alkaloids. The essential amino acid (EAA) Leucine occurred in higherconcentration in all four mushroom species, with 5.40±0.00g/100g for P. ostreatus,while methionine had the least concentration of 0.83±0.03g/100g for Pleurotusostreatus. For non-essential amino acids (NEAA), Glutamic Acid was the highest inall the species of mushrooms, ranging from 9.04±0.01g/100g for Pleurotuscolumbinus to 0.36±0.04g/100g for Pleurotus ostreatus. Mineral analysis showedthat Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), and Iron (Fe) concentrationsranged from 30.66±0.0mg to 41.03±6.02mg and 1.37±0.09mg to 1.8±0.02mg/100gamong the mushroom species analyzed. Copper (Cu) content showed relativelylower concentrations, while Magnesium (Mg) and lead (Pb) were below detectablelevels.