Abstract

Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata, two mushroom species commonly found growing on dead leaves and logs, were collected from the Zaria environ and taken to the laboratory for further studies. Each of the mushroom species was separated into its stipe and pileus and used for proximate analysis. There was a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the proximate composition of the two species. P. atroumbonata had significantly higher crude protein, crude fibre and moisture content than L. squarrosulus while the reverse was the case for ash, dry matter, crude fat and soluble carbohydrates. In addition, there was a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the proximate composition of the different mushroom parts. The pilei contained significantly higher amounts of crude protein, crude fibre, ash, and dry matter than the stipes while the converse was the case for moisture, crude fat and soluble carbohydrates. There was also a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the interaction of species by parts.

Key words: Lentinus squarrosulus, Psathyrella atroumbonata, proximate analysis.