Pharmaceutical and nutritional prospects of two wild macro-fungi found in Nigeria.
Okwulehie I. C., Nwosu C. P., Johnpaul O. C.
Author Affiliation: Michael Okara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
Biotechnology 6 : 567-572
Abstract : The bioactive, proximate and vitamin composition of two wild macrofungi collected from Nigeria were investigated. The macro fungi, Schizophyllum commune (split gill mushroom) and Polyporus sp. (bracket fungi), were obtained from dead logs of mango (Mangifera indica) and Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), respectively. The fruit-bodies of the fungi were harvested, dried, ground and analysed using Association of Analytical Chemists methods and other standard methods. The results showed that the macrofungi contained the bioactive compounds alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and tannins in varying quantities. The fungi were equally rich in proteins, vitamins and mineral elements. Flavonoids occurred more in S. commune than in Polyporus sp., while there was more saponins in Polyporus sp. than in S. commune (0.40 mg/100 mg). Furthermore, phenols and tannins occurred more in S. commune than in Polyporus sp. On the other hand, Polyporus sp. contained the highest amount of ash, fat, crude protein, crude fibre, carbohydrates and moisture than S. commune. S. commune was richer in ascorbic acid and niacin than Polyporus sp., whereas riboflavin and thiamin of Polyporus sp. appeared more than those of S. commune. Calcium, potassium and sodium of S. commune were higher than those of Polyporus sp., while the magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus of Polyporus sp. were higher than those of S. commune. The results obtained from the analyses of the two macrofungi are discussed in relation to their prospects for medicinal purposes.