INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS - India Environment Portal

14
Proc. 98th Indian Science Congress, Part II : Presidential Address
higher. They contain low fat and carbohydrate and low energy, which can be
beneficial in low caloric diets considerable amount of minerals, suggest their
important role as mineral sources in human diet.
The studies revealed that these mushrooms are similar to commercially
cultivated mushrooms with regard to their cultural ability and chemical composition.
There is need to develop and standardize the cultivation technology for these wild
edible mushrooms. They are already accepted for consumption by local people.
Nutraceutical potential :
In past two decades mushrooms have assumed a greater role in maintenance
of good human health because of their projected nutraceutical potential. This
potential is enormous but untapped. The mushrooms possess antitumour,
immunomodulating and hypocholesterolemic properties. Some well known medicinal
mushrooms are : Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Trametes versicolor,
Schizophyllum commune, Lentinula edodes, Agaricus blazeii and Cordyceps
sinesis. The active constituents found in mushroom are : Polysacchanides, dietary
fibers, Selenium oligosaccharides, triterpenoids, peptides, proteins, alcohol, Phenols,
amino acids and mineral elements. They show anti-cancerous, anti-HIV, anti-viral
activity and also ameliorate toxic effects of chemo and radiotherapy.
Nutraceutical potential of morels has been investigated (Lakhanpal, et al.
2010). Nutraceutical attributes of morels compare favourably with the mushroom
species listed above. They are even a better source of Polysaccharides, crude fibre,
nucleic acids,minerals especially Se, Zn, K, Cu, Na, and Ca, Vitamin (B 1 , B 2, C,A,
D and K; proteins and all the essential amino acids. They are free from cholesterol.
Hence they are good of nutraceutical use.
Ethno mycological Studies :
Ethno mycological studies were initially conducted on morels. These studies
were conducted to gather information on methods of collection, myths associated,
propagation in nature, local and vernacular names and recipes of morels in vogue
with the local communities and to see the impact of morel collection on socioeconomic
aspects of the inhabitants. It was revealed by survey that morels are
collected by local inhabitants of all ages and creeds Shepherd, herdsmen, women
and school going children are more active collectors. The nomenclature of morels
and of other mushrooms varies in different valleys in the Himalayan region. They
are commonly called “Guchhi” in the Indian markets, but their vernacular names