Minerals composition of mushroom (Pleurotus species).

Consumption of mushroom have been known from many years, as they are important for both nutritive and medicinal values (Bonatti et al., 2004; Cheung and Cheung, 2005). The edible mushroom species are highly nutritious and their nutritional value comparing favorably with that of milk, eggs and meat (Gruen and Wong, 1982; Suzuki and Oshima, 1976; Zakhary et al., 1983). Mushrooms are the rich source of minerals (Jiskani, 2001) and provide valuable nutrients to the diet in the form of proteins, vitamins and salts of phosphates, potassium , sodium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron, zink chlorides, silicates, molybdenum and vanadium. Singh et al. (2003) reported 4.75 to 21.00% ash (minerals) in different mushroom species. Presence of high potassium: sodium ratio makes the mushroom an ideal food for person suffering from hypertension and heart diseases (Rai et al., 1998; Mandhare et al., 2003). Huseyin et al. (2009) estimated the macronutrients (mg/g d.w.) as ca (0.178.80) k (12.6-29.1), Na (0.03 – 4.85), P (0.64-4.49) and micronutrient as Fe (50.1-842 mg/kg. d.w.from wild grown edible mushroom species. Necla (2007) reported average mineral value of Pleurotus sp. (mg/kg wet basis) were Zn (11.18 9.31), Fe (14.80 -7.94), P (998.47 716.31), Ca (81.16 23.66), K (2225-2687) and Na (750.77 -773.67). The present study was conducted to study the effect of different substrates on mineral content of Pleurotus species. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples: The Pleurotus species viz., Pleuroutus sajar-caju, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus ostreatus were grown on different substrates viz., soybean, paddy, wheat straw and their combinations in 1:1 proportions. The samples were collected from three successive harvesting (pickings), dehydrated in cabinet dryer and ground to fine powder, packed in bottles and stored in refrigerator till used for analysis.