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Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Mushrooms
Dr Brij Lal Attri
Principal Scientist, ICAR-DMR, Solan
• Mushrooms are fungi, andare usually placed in aKingdom of their own apartfrom plants and animals.
• Mushrooms contain nochlorophyll and most areconsidered saprophytes.That is, they obtain theirnutrition from metabolizingnon living organic matter.
Mushroom
A mushroom (or toadstool) is a fleshy, spore bearing fruitingbody of a fungus, typically produced above ground of the soil oron its food source.
The standard for the name “mushroom” is the cultivated whitebutton mushroom (Agaricus bisporus); hence the word“mushroom” is most often applied to those fungi(Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) that have stem (Stipe), a cap(Pileus) and gills (Lamellae) on the underside of the cap. Themain difference between these two groups is in the way in whichthey produce their microscopic spores. In the Basidiomycetes,the spores are produced externally, on the end of specialisedcells called basidia. In Ascomycetes, spores are producedinternally, inside a sac called an ascus.
The gills produce microscopic spores that help the fungusspread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Mushroom
Labelled Mushroom
• White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
• Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.)
• Milky mushroom (Calocybe indica)
• Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea)
• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Mushrooms in India
Mushroom production in different countries
Mushroom production in India
Nutritional value of Mushroom
Mushrooms are relatively
high in protein, averaging
about 30-35% of their dried
mass.
They contribute a wide
range of essential amino
acids, are low in fat (0.3 -
2.0%), high in fibre and
provide several groups of
vitamins, particularly
thiamine, riboflavin, niacin,
biotin and ascorbic acid.
While nutrients vary from
one kind of mushroom to
the next, many contain
protein, vitamins A and C,
B-vitamins and minerals
including iron, selenium,
potassium and phosphorus.
Carbohydrate
Protein
Fat
Minerals
Vitamins
Growth Promoting substances
Ba
lan
ced
pro
po
rtion
Complete & Quality Food
No starch
Less sugars
Fibre : Dietary & Fermentable
Low calorific value
Delight of diabetics
Prevents Obesity
Avoids constipation
Carbohydrates
• Prominent source (FAO)
• Varies from 4-12 %
• High biological value
• Rich in Threonine and Valine
• Good for Infants, children,
pregnant and lactating women
• Deficient in sulphur
containing AA (Methionine & Cysteine)
Fights malnutrition Kwashiorkor disease
Protein
Little fat (< 1 to 8%)
High un-saturated fatty acids
Absence of cholesterol
Sterols : Ergosterol
Good for hearts
Precursor for Vit. D
Fat
• B Complex
• Thiamine : B1
• Riboflavin : B2
• Niacin
• Biotin
• Poor in A, E and K
• Exposed to UV light : Vitamin D2
• Traces of Folic acid and vitamin B12
Pellagra
Dermatitis & Hair loss
Skin crack,
smooth tongue
Beri beri
Vitamins
• Ash content : High (up to 9%)
• Potassium : 45% of ash
• P, Na & Ca
• Enough selenium
• Iron, Copper
• K: Na ratio : High (110:1) Improves blood circulation
Augments immune system
Minerals and Trace elements
• Enzymes : Aromatase (Produce estrogen)
• Alkaloids :Cordycepin, Lectins, Lovastatin
(For various body functions)
• Sterols : Ergosterol (Ergosterol performs the
same function as cholesterol in animal membranes, namely,
modulating membrane fluidity and permeability through its
interactions with phospholipids and other membrane constituents)
• Antioxidants : Ascorbic acid, Tri-terpenoids
• Unidentified : Complex organic compounds
Growth Promoting Substances
Composition of Mushrooms
Mushrooms have little sodium, fat and zero
cholesterol.
They are rich in vitamins mainly B complex
(riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, thiamine
and B6). It is also rich source of vitamin D
Antioxidants in mushrooms include ergothioneine
(Protection against cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammatory
conditions, ultraviolet radiation damages, and neuronal injuries).
Mushrooms are a powerhouse of minerals, including
potassium, copper, zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium,
phosphorus and calcium.
A medium mushroom has more potassium than a glass of
orange juice or a banana. A serving (100 g) of mushrooms
supplies 40-60% of the daily copper requirement.
Selenium is mainly found in animal proteins, so the
mushroom is the best source of selenium for vegetarians.
Selenium is an extremely vital mineral for the human body as
it increases immunity, takes part in antioxidant activity that
defends against free radical damage and inflammation and
plays a key role in maintaining a healthy metabolism
The source of the antibiotic penicillin, mushrooms have
natural antibiotics with anti-fungal and anti-microbial
properties.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in mushrooms
contribute to their preventive and curative
properties and health benefits.
Potassium helps to lower blood pressure and
prevent strokes.
Copper prevents cardiac problems, while zinc
ensures proper metabolic functioning.
Calcium strengthens bones and iron prevents
anaemia.
Selenium, in combination with beta glucans and
linoleic acid in mushrooms, prevents cancer and cell
damage due to free radicals. It is also beneficial for
the teeth, nails, bones and hair.
Antioxidants boost immunity and prevent infections.
Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact
with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction
before vital molecules are damaged.
The combination of protein, fibre and vitamin B helps
to maintain a healthy metabolism.
Sources of free radicals
• Smoking
• Pollution
• Drugs
• Toxic metals
• Radiation
• Industrial
chemicals
• Pesticides
• Alcohol
Ganoderma Cordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps militaris
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi)
Among cultivated mushrooms, G.
lucidum is unique in that its
pharmaceutical rather than
nutritional value is paramount.
A variety of commercial G. lucidum
products are available in various
forms, such as powders, dietary
supplements, and tea.
Ganoderma lucidum has many
medicinal properties like anti-
oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-
microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, Anti-
inflammatory etc.
Reishi mushroom improve oxygen
utilization, boosting the immune
system, improve liver functions,
improve blood circulation,
immunological diseases,
hypertension, tumor-genesis,
regulates and fine tunes the immune
system.
Cordyceps sinensis (Kidajadi)
Cordyceps sinensis is
recommended for “all
illnesses” as a tonic,
because it is claimed
that it improves energy,
appetite, stamina,
libido, endurance, and
sleeping patterns.
It is a rare combination
of a caterpillar and
fungus found in Sikkim,
Uttarakhand and H.P. at
altitudes above 3,800 m.
Cordyceps militaris
Evidence showed that the active
principles of C. militaris are
beneficial to act as anti-
inflammatory, anti-oxidant/anti-
aging, anti-tumour/anti-cancer/anti-
leukemic, anti-proliferative, anti-
metastatic, immunomodulatory,
anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-
viral, anti-fungal, anti-protozoal,
insecticidal, larvicidal, anti-fibrotic,
steroidogenic, hypoglacaemic,
hypolipidaemic, anti-angiogenetic,
anti-diabetic, anti-HIV, anti-malarial,
anti-fatigue, neuroprotective, liver-
protective, reno-protective as well
as pneumo-protective
