IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POPULAR WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS FROM NORTHERN IRAN

Abstract

The sponge mushroom (morels), chanterelles, oyster mushroom, Macrolepiota procera, Amanita caesarea and Russula paludosa are the main edible wild mushrooms in northern Iran. Little is known about commercial potential of these mushrooms in this area. In this research we found 3 genuses of morels including Morchella esculenta, Morchella delisiosa and Morchella crassipes. Pleurotus ostreatus grows in all season in mountain regions. The nutritive value of edible wild mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius, pleurotus osteriatus, M. procera, A. caesareaand R. paludosa) was determined. The highest mineral contents, dry matter and ash were measured as 8.5, 31.7, 1.4, 1.4, 1.8 mg/kg (dry weight basis), 14 and 2% for P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, dry matter and ash in young M. procera cap, mature Amanita caesarea cap, mature A. caesarea stalk and mature M. procera stalk respectively.   Key words: Wild edible mushroom, chemical properties, Guilan province.