Research Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2007
Volume: 2
Issue: 6
Page No. 715 - 720

Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Prospects of Two Wild Macro-Fungi Found in Nigeria

Authors : I.C.Okwulehie , C.P.Nwosu and C.J.Okoroafor

Abstract: The bioactive, proximate and vitamin composition of two wild macro fungi, found in Nigeria were investigated. The macro fungi, Schizophyllum commune, (split gill mushroom) and Polyporus sp.(bracket fungi) were obtained growing on dead logs of mango (Mangifera indica) and Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), respectively. The fruit-bodies of the fungi were harvested fresh, dried, ground and analysed using Association of Analytical Chemists methods and other standard methods. The results of the analyses showed that the macro-fungi contained the bioactive compounds, alkaloids flavonoids, phenols, saponins and tannins in varying quantities. The fungi are equally rich in proteins, vitamins and mineral elements. The alkaloids contents of the two macro-fungi, S. commune and Polyporus are 0.015 and 0.013 mg respectively. Flavonoids occurred more in S. commune, (3.8 mg100 g 1 ) than in Polyporus sp.(0.60 mg 100 g 1 ). While there is more saponins in Polyporus sp. (2.50 mg) than in S. commune (0.40 mg 100 mg 1 ). Furthermore phenols and tannins occurred more in S. commune (0.70 and 0.70 mg) than in Polyporus sp. (0.081 and 0.32 mg), respectively. On the other hand, Polyporus sp. contained the highest amount of ash (8.22%), fat (2.04%), crude protein (14.00%) crude fibre (0.068), carbohydrates (85%) and moisture (95%) than S. commune that had 7.46, 1.28, 9.63, 0.044 81.59 and 91.80% of the compounds, respectively. S. commune is richer in ascorbic acid (0.49 mg) and niacin (1.30 mg) than Polyporus sp. 0.37 and 0.48 mg respectively; whereas riboflavin and thiamin of Polyporus sp (0.54 and 0.47 mg) appeared more than those of S. commune with 0.22 and 0.28 mg, respectively, The mineral elements of S. commune of calcium (1.50 mg), potassium (3.63 mg) and sodium (0.38 mg) are higher than those of Polyporus sp. of calcium (1.401 mg), potassium (2.69 mg) and sodium (0.25 mg), while the magnesium (0.79 mg), nitrogen (2.24 mg) and phosphorus (0.25 mg) of Polyporus sp. are higher than those of S. commune respectively. The result obtained from the analyses of the 2 macro fungi has been discussed in relation to their prospects for medicinal purposes.

How to cite this article:

I.C.Okwulehie , C.P.Nwosu and C.J.Okoroafor , 2007. Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Prospects of Two Wild Macro-Fungi Found in Nigeria . Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2: 715-720.

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