Analysis of the Bioactive Nutrients and Pharmacologically Active Substances in Pleurotus tuber-regium

Background and Objective: Mushroom is used as a source of food by Nigerians, but chemical composition information on them is scanty. In trying to bridge this gap of paucity of information, this research investigated the proximate, vitamin, antinutritional, and mineral analysis studies on Pleurotus tuber-regium, commonly referred to as Osu. Materials and Methods: The proximate analysis was carried out using the method of the Association of Official Applied Chemists (AOAC). The Colometric method was used to analyze vitamins A, B12, and E, while the Titrimetric method was used to analyze vitamins B3, B6, and C. Spectrophotometric methods were used to analyze vitamins D, K, B1, and B2. The mineral concentration was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method and minerals analyzed includes Se, Ar, Mg, Na, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cr, Fe, Ca, k, Mo and Co. Results: The moisture content of 58.67%, ash content of 0.4995%, protein content of 1.4%, carbohydrate content of 27.28%, fat content of 3.2% and crude fiber of 9.3%. The results revealed that Pleurotus tuber-regium contains vitamin C (272.8 mg/g), vitamin A (4.3 mg/g). The results revealed that certain antinutrients such as oxalate (7795.3 mg/%), terpenoid (34.77 mg/%), steroid (16.68 mg/%), cyanogenic glycoside (10.8 mg/%) etc., are present in Pleurotus tuber-regium which reduces the risk of various cancer, cardiovascular diseases and many more. Conclusion: The result of this research shows that Osu has high nutritional value and is beneficial to humans, both young and old.