Medicinal Importance of mushrooms – A review

There are 1600 mushroom species out of which 100 species have been accepted as food. More than 33 species of mushroom are under commercial cultivation throughout the world and 3 species are popularly grown in India viz, White Button mushroom, Oyster mushroom, and Paddy Straw mushroom. These mushrooms are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and excellent source of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid etc. The digestibility of mushroom protein is 71-90%. Major contribution to Indian mushroom production comes from white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) i.e 90-92%, while rest comes from oyster mushroom (Pleuroteus Spp.) and paddy straw mushroom (volvarieua spp.). For centuries, people across the world have been using wild mushrooms for food, medicine and cosmetics as well as for other economic and cultural purposes. Mushrooms are devoid of starch and low in calories and other carbohydrates. Apart from their nutritional value, mushrooms have potential medicinal benefits; they are an ideal food for diabetics and over- weight people.