Ethnostudy of Mushrooms Newly Discovered in Nigeria

Indigenous knowledge of mushrooms of Ukwa-East in Abia State were surveyed and nutritional compositions of Cantharellus species were analyzed. Eighty-five (60.71%) of the 140 administered questionnaires successfully retrieved were fully responded to. The results were analyzed by gender, age groups, and locations. The study showed that more than 85% of the respondents consume edible mushrooms because of its palatability and nutritional importance, also 23% respondents take them as substitute for meat, while 10% of the respondents consume mushrooms because of its medicinal purpose. The study also showed that more than 95% of respondents use sun drying, 13% use refrigeration, 9% make use of flaming, 1% oven dry while 2% of the respondents use salt solution to preserve harvested mushrooms. The residents of Ukwa-East Local Government Area of Abia State have indigenous knowledge of mushrooms and their uses and the results obtained indicate that Cantharellus species is a good source of phytochemicals, proximate components and minerals. However, further studies on its polysaccharide contents, toxicity, medicinal value and establishment of pure culture are highly recommended.

Autorentext

Raphael Nnajiofor Okigbo is a Professor of Botany at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. Has H index of 27, with 2,782 Google citations.He is a Fellow of Mycological Society of Nigeria. His research interests are on Environmental studies and mushroom Science. He is a Rotarian and a Major Donor.