Nutritional and Neutraceutical Composition of Five Wild Culinary-Medicinal Species of Genus Pleurotus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Northwest India

Five wild culinary-medicinal species of genus Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Kumm. (P. floridanus Singer, P. pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel., P sapidus Quel, P. cystidiosus O.K. Miller, and P. sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer), collected from different localities of Northwest India, were studied for their nutritional and nutraceutical composition. Composition analysis of nutrients involved determining proteins, fats, ash, fiber, and carbohydrates using standard biochemical techniques. Minerals were estimated by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and toxic metals were determined by the Reinsch test method. The analysis of nutraceuticals included determination of sugars by high-performance liquid chromatography, fatty acids by gas chromatography, and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and total phenolic compounds with methanolic extract using a colorimetric assay. In the samples analyzed, carbohydrates dominated over protein and other macronutrients. Carbohydrates ranged from 85.86 to 88.38%, protein 0.98 to 2.17%, crude fat 0.62 to 0.84%, crude fibers 2.76 to 3.12%, and ash content 1.03 to 2.20%. Macro- and microminerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, and iron) also were found in substantial amount, whereas toxic metals (lead, silver, arsenic, mercury, and antimony) were not detected. Three main sugars-sucrose (0.338-2.011%), glucose (0.553-0.791%), and xylose (0.01%)-were detected. Among fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty (37.17-68.29%) acids were documented in a higher proportion than saturated fatty acids (26.07-47.77%). In terms of antioxidant composition, all species contained ascorbic acid, phenols, carotene, and lycopene. Ascorbic acid content ranged from 0.46 to 0.49 mg/100 g, total phenolic compounds ranged from 6.76 to 16.92 mg/100 g of gallic acid, beta-carotene ranged from 0.134 to 0.221 mu g/100 g, and lycopene from 0.055 to 0.075 mu g/100 g.