Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. Research Note Vol. 27, No.
3, 2008
Archive of SID
Studies on Chemical Composition and
Nutritive Evaluation of Wild Edible Mushrooms
Saiqa, Sadiq; Haq, Nawaz Bhatti*+; Muhammad, Asif Hanif
Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture 38040, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN
Muhammad Asif Ali
Mushroom Laboratory, Institute of Horticultural Science, University of Agriculture 38040, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN
Ata-ur-Rehman
Oil Technology Laboratory, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT: Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis are among most favorite mushrooms of the
world. Mineral contents, proximate composition and fatty acid profile of these mushrooms were
determined for evaluation of their dietary value. Na, K and Li contents were high, while Cr, Cu, Pb,
Co, Zn, Mn and Ni concentrations were low in both Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis.
Proximate analysis showed that both mushrooms have sufficient quantity of protein, lipids,
carbohydrates and cellulose. Gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters revealed that
linoleic acid (44.19 %) and oleic acid (40.13 %) were the dominant fatty acids in Agaricus bisporus
and Agaricus bitorquis respectively.
KEY WORDS: Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus bitorquis, Fatty acids, Mineral contents, Linoleic acid.
INTRODUCTION
Many Asian countries use traditionally wild edible foods, useful in preventing diseases such as hypertension,
mushrooms as delicious and nutritional foods and hypercholesterolemia and cancer [7, 8]. These functional
medicine. Wild edible mushrooms are appreciated not characteristics are mainly due to the presence of dietary
only for texture and flavor but also for their chemical and fiber and in particular chitin and beta glucans [4]. Studies
nutritional characteristics [1, 2]. Cultivated mushrooms have also shown antitumor, antiviral, antithrombotic and
have higher protein contents and minerals, low in fat and immunomodulating effects of mushrooms [9].
rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin K and sometimes Numerous species (more than 2000) of mushrooms
vitamins A and C [2-6]. Wild edible mushrooms have a exist in nature; however, only a few are used as a food.
worldwide distribution. Mushrooms are not only sources Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis are two of the
of nutrients but also have been reported as therapeutic most abundant wild edible mushrooms found in the
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
+ E-mail: hnbhatti2005@ yahoo.com
1021-9986/08/3/151 5/$/2.50
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Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. Saiqa, Sadiq et al. Vol. 27, No.3, 2008
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central Punjab, Pakistan. Both are easy to recognize and Table 1: Proximate analysis of Agaricus bisporus and
they are collected in large quantities in autumn. The taste Agaricus bitorquis.
and size of their fruiting bodies are important factors for Parameters Agaricus bisporus Agaricus bitorquis
considering these mushrooms as potential important
Moisture (%) 5.9 ± 0.12 12.1 ± 0.13
foodstuffs. Although the edible wild mushrooms command
Ash (%) 11.01 ± 0.26 10.11 ± 0.10
higher prices than the cultivated mushrooms, people refer
to consume wild one due to their flavor and texture. Protein (%) 16.4 ± 0.01 19.53 ± 0.01
There are many reports on cultivated and wild edible Carbohydrate (%) 56.47 ± 0.21 39.94 ± 0.17
mushrooms and their nutritional value from different
Lipid (%) 26.21 ± 0.17 36.09 ± 0.36
regions of the world, very little information is available
about these two species from Pakistan. In this regard, Cellulose (%) 62.25 ± 1.24 61.92 ± 1.17
present study was under taken to investigate the mineral Tannin (mg/g) 3.797 ± 0.12 3.797 ± 0.31
content, proximate composition and fatty acid profile of Oxalate (mg/g) 0.667 ± 0.01 0.539 ± 0.02
Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis.
Energy value (kcal/100g) 499.52 ± 9.32 520.99 ± 9.91
EXPERIMENTAL
The mushrooms used in present study were collected, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
fresh from the plains of Punjab, Pakistan in spring. The proximate composition of Agaricus spp. is
Specimen identifications were done by mushroom tabulated in table 1. Agaricus bisporus was low in moisture
laboratory, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University content (%) in comparison to Agaricus bitorquis, while
of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The mushroom ash contents (%) of both species were comparable. The
samples were packed in opaque plastic bags, which were crude protein content (%) was 16.40 ± 0.01 in Agaricus
stored in a refrigerator during transportation to analytical bisporus and 19.53 ± 0.01 in Agaricus bitorquis. The
laboratory. The collected mushrooms were oven dried at protein contents of both species were comparable to
70 °C for 72 h to constant weight. average proteins present in mushrooms (i.e. 17.5 %) [12].
The dried materials grounded into powdered form Crude lipids were 26.21 ± 0.17 and 36.09 ± 0.36 % in
using food processor (Moulinex, France). The obtained Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis respectively.
powdered materials were stored in airtight jars for further The reported average crude lipid (%) in edible
studies. mushrooms is 29 % [12]. The cellulose contents of both
Pure cellulose, moisture content, ash content, crude mushrooms were comparable while there was a significant
protein, crude lipids, total carbohydrates and tannin were difference in carbohydrates present in Agaricus bisporus
determined using standard methods [10]. The energy (56.47 ± 0.21 %) and Agaricus bitorquis (39.94 ± 0.17 %).
values of mushrooms were evaluated using formula The amount of carbohydrates determined in Agaricus
described by Crisan and Sands [11]. bitorquis is comparable to previously reported average
Energy value (kcal/100g) = (2.62 × % protein) + value for edible mushrooms [12], while in case of
(8.37 × % fat) + (4.2 × % carbohydrate) Agaricus bisporus, it was much higher than reported
The mushroom samples were wet digested according value. This difference might be due to growth conditions,
to the reported method [12]. The Na, K and Li were genetic factors, geographical variations and analytical
analyzed using flame photometer (Sheerwood 450 flame procedures [15, 16].
photometer). The trace metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Co, Zn, Mn, Both mushrooms were low in oxalate content and
Ni, Ca, and Mg) were determined by Perkin Elemer high in tannin (table.1). Cellulose (%) of both Agaricus
Analyst 300 spectrometer [13]. species was comparable to each other. Agaricus bisporus
Fatty acids profile in Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus and Agaricus bitorquis were high in energy value. The
bitorquis was determined using a reported method [14]. energy values of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus
All experiments were performed in triplicate. Statistical bitorquis were 499.52 ± 9.32 and 520.99 ± 9.91 kcal/100g
analysis was performed using statistical functions of respectively. Sufficient quantities of Na, K and Li were
Microsoft Excel, 2004. detected in both mushrooms. Na, K and Li contents were
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Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. Studies on Chemical Composition … Vol. 27, No.3, 2008
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27.28 ± 0.963, 8.35 ± 0.351 and 39.7 ± 0.975 mg/g in palmitic 4.34, stearic 1.79, oleic 21.47, eicosanoic 6.30
Agaricus bisporus and 20.46 ± 0.821, 8.55 ± 0.382 and and erucic acid 12.849 % respectively. Agaricus bitorquis
36.93 ± 0.982 mg/g in Agaricus bitorquis respectively. was found to contain caprylic 0.59, palmitic 4.28, stearic
Na is an important mineral that regulates volume flow 2.03, linoleic 31.03, linolenic 11.27, eicosanoic 4.10 and
and pressure of blood. K is an essential nutrient and has erucic acid 6.56 % respectively. The lipids extracted from
important role in synthesis of amino acids and proteins Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis contained more
[17]. amounts of unsaturated fatty acids than the saturated one.
Li is an important trace element with important Our findings are in close agreements with the reported
pharmacological activities [18]. Agaricus bisporus and results [25]. It was observed that unsaturated fatty acids
Agaricus bitorquis were found to contain trace amounts were more dominant in wild edible mushrooms. The
of Cr, Cu, Pb, Co, Zn, Mn, Ca, Ni and Mg. The Cr, Cu, concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in these
Pb, Co, Zn, Mn, Ca, Ni and Mg content were 0.134 ± mushrooms is very important from nutritional standpoint.
0.020, 0.108 ± 0.015, 0.062 ± 0.019, 0.019 ± 0.010, 0.083 Oils rich with unsaturated fatty acids are considered as
± 0.016, 0.056 ± 0.02, 0.204 ± 0.034, 0.073 ± 0.008 and health oil for human nutrition. Oils with high levels of
0.0136 ± 0.008 mg/g in Agaricus bisporus while 0.120 ± linoleic and oleic acids are very important human health,
0.019, 0.093 ± 0.016, 0.024 ± 0.011, 0.057 ± 0.020, as they reduce atherosclerosis by interesting with HDL in
0.283± 0.014, 0.029 ± 0.013, 0.205 ± 0.029, 0.087 ± 0.009 blood. The most important essential fatty acid in human
and 0.125 ± 0.015 mg/g in Agaricus bitorquis. Cd and Pb nutrition is linolenic acid. The amount of linolenic acid
are best known for their toxicological properties[18]. detected in Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis was
Low levels of Cd and Pb in both mushrooms suggested 4.63 and 11.27 % respectively. Agaricus bitorquis was
their non toxic nature. Cu plays an important role in found to contain highest amount of essential linolenic
proteins synthesis [19]. acid in comparison with the values reported in the
Zn is an essential micronutrient associated with literature of mushrooms.
number of enzyme, especially those for synthesis of
ribonucleic acids and DNA polymerases [20]. Ni is also CONCLUSIONS
an essential element, and its daily uptake of 100 mg is The results of present study indicated that Agaricus
recommended for good health [21]. Ca is the major bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis were low in moisture,
component of bone and assists teeth development [22]. ash and oxalate contents while high in protein, lipids,
Mg is an important element because many enzymes carbohydrate, cellulose and tannin contents. Na, K and Li
require it as co-factor [23]. Cadmium may contribute to were present in sufficient quantities in both species, while
biological processes, but have not been established as Cr, Cu, Pb, Co, Zn, Mn, Ca, Ni and Mg were present in
essential. Cu and Mn play important role in enzymatic trace concentrations. The concentration of unsaturated
catalysis and are crucial to virtually all biochemical and fatty acid in these mushrooms was high in comparison
physiological process. Cr has important role in reduction to saturated fatty acids. Agaricus bitorquis contained
of cardiovascular disease and adult diabetes [24]. Cobalt considerable quantity of linolenic acid, which is regarded
as very essential for human health.
is essential in trace amounts for human life. It is
important vitamin B-12, and plays a key role in the
Acknowledgments
body’s synthesis of this essential vitamin. Cobalt has also
Authors are thankful to Mrs. Raziya Nadeem for her
been used as a treatment for anemia, because red blood
technical assistance.
cells to be produced.
Total amount of fatty acids detected in Agaricus Received : 22th July 2007 ; Accepted : 30th December 2007
bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis were 97.33 and 99.99 %,
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