Food and nutritional potential of two mushrooms native species to the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado)

Abstract

Until recently, no native mushroom was considered food in the Cerrado biome, while there are records of the occurrence of about 638 species of fungi so far, many of which have numerous undefined potentials, with the potential for food among them. Our work presents the nutritional aspects of two mushroom species found in an agroforestry system in the Cerrado (Auricularia nigricans and Schizophyllum commune), and a morphological identification key for the edible mushroom species highlighted in this study. The nutritional composition analysis revealed a moisture content of 65 and 41%, proteins of 7 and 10%, ether extract (fat) of 1.3 and 1.5% and fiber of 2 and 2.2% for A. nigricans and S. common, respectively. In this work we highlight the nutritional potential of two species of edible mushrooms, A. nigricans and S. commune. These mushrooms show similar nutritional characteristics to those of commercially produced exotic mushrooms, being rich in proteins and minerals. These data, added to other reports of this nature recently presented, reinforce the importance of knowledge of local biodiversity and native mushrooms as a food source.