Phytochemical Analysis of Two Wild Edible Mushrooms, Auricularia Polytricha And Pleurotus Ostreatus, Common in Ohaukwu Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The concentrations of phytochemicals in two edible mushroom varieties (Auricularia polytricha and Pleurotus ostreatus) from Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were determined using standard methods. The result revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in appreciable amounts. Significant variations in composition of the phytochemicals were observed between the mushrooms (P < 0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals were significantly lower in both mushroom varieties compared to their toxic levels according to World Health Organization's stipulated safe limits. Thus, the study suggests that both mushrooms varieties are very safe for consumption, while the significant presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and phenols indicate medicinal properties

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The concentrations of some phytochemicals in three species of edible mushrooms (Coral mushroom, Agaricus bisporus and Lentinus sajor) that are common in Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in significant amounts with tannins being the highest, followed by flavonoids and phenols, while HCN was the least in concentration. There was a significant variation among the mushrooms in their composition of the phytochemicals (p<0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals in all the mushrooms were interestingly found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) than their toxicity levels according to World Health Organization (WHO) safe limits. The results of this study suggest that these mushrooms may be very safe for consumption in terms of phytochemical toxicity and at the same time have some medicinal properties