Changes in nutrient contents of two Nigerian mushrooms, Termitomyces robustus (Beeli) Heim and Lentinus subnudus Berk, during sporophore development

Abstract

Abstract Samples of mature, young and very young sporophores of Termitomyces robustus (Beeli) Heim and Lentinus subnudus Berk were analyzed for their nutrient contents. The amino acid, protein, glycogen, lipid, sugar, ascorbic acid and ash contents were found to increase from very young to mature sporophores. These food nutrients except the crude fibre were more abundant in the pilei than the stipes. In contrast, the mineral elements did not show any definite trend in the sporophores investigated. However potassium was the most abundant followed by phosphorus and magnesium in that decreasing order. Manganese was the least abundant in the sporophores. It is clear from this study that T. robustus and L. subnudus would compared favourably with other well‐known nutritious mushrooms.