Bioprospecting of selected wild mushrooms from the tribal zone of North-west Himalaya, India

Fourteen wild edible and medicinal mushrooms representing ten families were collected from an altitude range of 1,867-4,187 metres above mean sea level form Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, NW Himalaya. The biochemical analysis of sporocarps revealed that the carbohydrate content was the maximum in Coprinus comatus and protein was highest in Auricularia auricula-judae , while the fibre content was recorded highest in Ganoderma lucidum . The energy value was determined using the amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fats present in the sporocarps and was found highest in Helvella lacunosa and lowest in G. lucidum. The ash content of sporocarps was used to estimate the mineral composition and was found highest in Sparassis crispa, closely followed by Lycoperdon perlatum, Russula brevipes, and lowest in R. stricta . The potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium content in general were recorded higher in majority of mushrooms as compared to zinc, manganese, copper, etc. Despite the variations in nutrient content, these mushrooms appear to have a good overall nutritional profile. They have the potential to greatly fulfil people’s requirement of proteins, macro and micronutrients. Therefore, mushrooms may be included in our diets on a regular basis to improve its quality.