PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CORTINARIUS SPECIES (original) (raw)

Proximate study was conducted on a Cortinarius sp found on farmlands in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo state of Nigeria to ascertain its nutritional composition. The overall nutritional potential of the Cortinarius species was quite good and it shows that the species of mushroom is highly nutritive with crude protein 19.47%, carbohydrates, 48.60% and crude fibre 6.80%. It was however, observed the contents of the following were relatively low; zinc was 0.08mg/100g, riboflavin 0.08mg/100g and thiamine 0.07mg/100g. Potassium was highest and was 221.67mg/100g followed by calcium 183.33mg/100g. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of varying quantities of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, oxalates, cyanogenic glycosides and phytates. These bioactive compounds may make it useful for therapeutic uses. This study shows that this mushroom has a great potential in complementing protein and minerals deficiencies prevalent in the developing countries.