Nutritional Aspects of Mushrooms:
| Mushroom Contains: | Protein | 2.78 – 3.94%, |
| Carbohydrate | 5.3 – 6.28% | |
| Fat | 0.25 -0.65%, | |
| Energy Value | 24.4-34.4 KCal. | |
| Essential Amino Acids | Phenylalanine, Histidine,Leucine,Lysine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine. | |
| Vitamins | K, B1, B2 , B3, H,C,D,E. | |
| Minerals | Phosphorous, Potassium, Iron, Calcium. |
Mushrooms recommended by the FAO as food contributing to the protein nutrition of the developing countries depending largely on cereals.
Medicinal Importance of Mushrooms:
Besides the nutritional aspects, the medicinal importance of mushrooms is noteworthy.
| 1. | Carbohydrates of Mushrooms do not contain starch and sucrose is present in very small quantity, so it is a good food for diabetic patients. |
| 2. | Many vegetables and cereals are deficient in some of the essential Amino acids but Mushroom protein contains adequate quantities of most of the essential Amino acids compared to egg protein (which is supposed to be a standard complete protein), so it will help in overcoming Amino acid deficiency. |
| 3. | The Mushroom protein is easily digestible and its quality is intermediate between vegetable and meat protein. |
| 4. | Mushroom can recover vitamin deficiency (particularly vitamin B) and it is good source of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and H. |
| 5. | 5. Besides being eaten as delicious food, a refreshing drink has been developed with dilute extract of Mushrooms. One Folk remedy handed down from the past – brewing and drinking a broth form a certain member of sarunoko, Shiitake strain – is said to have an anti-cancer effect. |
| 6. | Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) Mushrooms which is produced by Japanese in a great amount has anti-cancerous property and it also reduces the cholesterol contain in the blood. |
| 7. | From Volvariella cardio toxic proteins have been isolated. They lower the Blood pressure and are also active against tumour cells. Anti cancerous extracts of Shiitake causes recession of some kind of cancer and inhibits the growth of some virus, like Influenza virus. |
| 8. | As Mushroom contains low sodium, it is a suitable food for persons with Nephritis (kidney disease) and heart diseases. |
| 9. | Mushroom forms interferon in human body which immunizes the body from viral disease and protects the body from attack by polio and influenza virus. |
| 10. | Calcium of Mushroom develops healthy bones and teeth. It also contains Vitamin D2 without which calcium absorption is not possible. |
| 11. | Mushrooms are rich in Niacin and Ascorbic acid and prevent Pellagra, Scurvy and various types of skin diseases .Anti-dandruff lotion has been prepared from Pleurotus sajor-caju. |
| 12. | The sodium and Potassium present help in controlling nerve co-ordination and ultra filtration in kidney. |
| 13. | Mushroom is rich in vegetable fibers, it is a good roughage diet. |
| 14. | As Mushroom contains low calorie, it is extensively used as sliming food. |
| 15. | One poly-saccharide substance extracted from kawaratake and shiitake mushrooms is being used as anti-cancer clinical drug at a number of hospitals, including theNational Cancer Centre in Japan. At the academic meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan held in March 1992, it was reported that Glucan contained in maiitake Mushrooms enhances the immunity of cells infected with AIDS virus. |
Mushrooms have been a part of dietary habits, for their flavor and higher food value since ages. Their protein content is highly digest able and may be considered intermediate to that of animals and vegetables and is excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
Mushrooms contain larger quantities of folic acid which is of importance for treating anemic patients.
With a very low starch, carbohydrates and fat content, mushrooms are exceedingly useful for diabetic patients and for those who wish to lose weight. Edible mushrooms are considered as one of the world’s greatest natural resources since they have the ability to transform nutritionally valueless substances into high protein foods.
Current Biomedical Application of MUSHROOMS are:
[Cheng and Miles (1996)]
| A. | Cosmonaut Training in Russia |
| B. | Use with Conventional Therapy in Cancer |
| C. | Cardiovascular Disorders |
| D. | Immunomodulatory Effects |
| E. | Use during remission of Cancer and Hepatitis B treatment |
| F. | Increase in Oxygen Utilization |
| G. | Anti-Ageing |