Wild Mushrooms: A Potential Source of Nutritional and Antioxidant Attributes with Acceptable Toxicity

This paper describes in detail proximate composition, nutritional profile, phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activities, antimicrobial potential, and antihemolytic activity (towards human erythrocytes) of various fractions of wild Ganoderma lucidum. Proximate analysis established that wild G. lucidum comprises about $87.02{\pm}5.45%$ of moisture, and the remaining part is a rich source of proteins ($8.59{\pm}0.37%$), crude fiber ($54.21{\pm}1.2%$), and carbohydrate (35.16%) with smaller fat content (3.33 %). Similarly, phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids ($217.51{\pm}0.30mg/g$), ascorbic acid ($116{\pm}7.32mg/g$), phenolics ($360.72{\pm}34.07mg/g$), ${\beta}$-carotenes ($0.42{\pm}0.04{\mu}g/g$), and lycopene ($0.05{\pm}0.00{\mu}g/g$). Extracts of wild G. lucidum in various solvents provided first line protection against Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida in the order of ethyl acetate> ethanol> methanol> n-hexane> water. Furthermore, aqueous and methanolic extracts of wild G. lucidum were found to be safe towards human erythrocytes. Overall, wild mushroom (G. lucidum) was found to be a good source of dietary supplements, antimicrobial and antioxidant agents in the pursuance of its commercial utilization in food and pharmaceutical industries.