DefinePK

Abstract

Background and Objective Protein deficiency remains the major nutritional bane of people living in the developing and under-developed countries just because very few individuals can afford the rich-in-protein food. Optimum utilization of mushroom could therefore help to bridge the gap. This research work investigated the nutri-toxicological implication of utilizing edible mushroom Pleutotus ostreatus cultivated on tropical trees sawdust as an alternative source of protein. Materials and Methods The mushroom was cultivated on two tropical trees sawdust Silk cotton tree Ceiba pentandra and bush candle tree Canarium schweinfurthii. Various bioassays including minerals and proximate analysis were conducted to assess the mushrooms nutritional qualities while bio-assessments were conducted on the toxicological effects on experimental animals albino rats when used as the sole protein source. Results The result of the proximate composition showed that the protein content was higher in P. ostreatus obtained from C. pentandra than C. schweinfurthii as 11.440.65 and 10.950.28, respectively while the calorific value was relatively high in the P. ostreatus obtained from the two substrates as 276.630.17 and 269.600.84 for C. schweinfurthii and C. pentandra, respectively. Mineral composition of the fresh P. ostreatus revealed that the calcium content of P. ostreatus obtained from C. schweinfurthii was higher compared to that of C. pentandra as 22.70 mg100 g and 16.10 mg100 g, respectively but the P. ostreatus obtained from C. pentandra had higher Phosphorus content of 7360.50 mg100 g while that from C. schweinfurthii was as low as 2897.20 mg100 g. It was also evident that all the clinical chemistry values of the rats fed with Diet Composed with Mushroom DCWM fall within the normal standard range while that of the negative control i.e., Diet Free of Protein DFOP deviated. Conclusion P. ostreatus cultivated on these two indigenous substrates has no toxicological effect and is therefore recommended for consumption as an alternative cheap protein source.