Proximate Analysis of Mushrooms of Azad Kashmir

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to find out the chemical composition of eleven species of edible mushrooms reported from the Forests of Azad Kashmir. The results obtained were used to compare with those of some commonly known edible mushrooms. Some lesser known edible mushrooms identified in Azad Kashmir Such as Amanita ceciliae, Volvariella bommbycina, Collybia dryophila, C. ellipsoidia, Flammulina velutipes, Laccaria globosia, Marasmiellus najmii, Marasmius oreades, Oudemansiella radicata, Russula aeruginea and R. chamaeleontina were analyzed for their chemical constituents including total dietary fiber, crude protein, fat, ash, moisture and carbohydrate. Despite the differences in the chemical composition of mushroom samples, when compared to the common edible mushroom Lentinius edodes (shiitake), the overall nutritional values of the mushrooms were good.