MACRO-MORPHOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS FROM ODUOHA-EMOHA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research was aimed at evaluating the macro-morphological and nutritional composition of four wild edible mushrooms collected from Oduoha-Emohua forest in Rivers State, Nigeria. The essence of this study is to enable rural consumers of  wild edible mushrooms identify and ascertain the nutrient status of the mushrooms. The mushrooms were collected by random sampling. They were hand - picked, bagged in black polyethylene bags and kept in the refrigerator until when needed. The mushrooms were identified as Auricularia polytricha, Lentinus squarrosulus, Cantharellus cibarius  and  Pleurotus  tuber-reguim. The  colour  of  the  mushrooms ranged  from golden/yellow, black brown and cream white. The cap length of L. squarrosulus (4.20acm±1.80) was the highest while the least was C. cibarius (0.9cm±0.94). C. cibarius (1.83cm±09.4) had the highest stipe length while the least was L. squarrosulus (1.25cm ± 0.28). The fresh weight of P. tuber-regium (6.20cm±1.26) was the highest while the least was A. polytricha. The results on proximate composition showed that the mushrooms differed significantly (P≤0.05) from each other. The results of mineral and Vitamin C analysis showed significant (P≤0.05) differences in the mineral content of the mushrooms. The amount of calcium present in L. squarrosulus milligram per 100g of sample was significantly higher (80.5mg± 2.05). However, C. cibarius had more of phosphorus compared to other mineral elements. A. polytricha recorded highest value of potassium (58.8mg±4.05) whereas P. tuber-regium had more of magnesium (200.32mg±3.38) and L. squarrosulus had more of sodium (26.8mg±4.00). Documentation of the identity and nutrient status of these and other mushrooms is recommended to avoid loss of mushrooms and their potential benefits due to constant deforestation practices.