Evaluation of nutritional, anti-nutritional and some biochemical studies on Pleurotus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer using rats was undertaken with standard methods. Results of nutritional contents such as proximate composition revealed moisture (11.67%), crude protein (21.31%) and total carbohydrate (51.58%). Vitamin composition showed the presence of vitamins A (0.17 mg/kg), B2 (0.62 mg/kg), B3 (0.45 mg/kg), B6 (0.84 mg/kg), and D (0.82 mg/kg). Important minerals such as potassium (20.75 mg/100 g), calcium (41.14 mg/100 g), magnesium (0.70 mg/100 g), and iron (17.80 mg/100g) were found in the studied sample with nine essential amino acids. P. squarrosulus sample revealed sums of polyunsaturated fatty acid of 13.14% and saturated fatty acid of 86.85%. Result of anti-nutritional composition of P. squarrosulus showed the presence of saponins (5.11 mg/100 g), oxalate (0.28 mg/100 g), phytate (0.75 mg/100 g) among others. The anti-nutrient to mineral molar and mineral weight ratios of the studied sample were within the recommended critical values/ideal ratios for bioavailability. Amino acid groups positioned the studied sample as having more non-essential amino acids than essential ones; with total neutral amino acids being the highest while total sulphur-containing amino acid was the lowest. Results of biochemical studies implicated P. squarrosulus as a weight reducing recipe, which can lower cholesterol levels, influence haematological indices positively, and lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzymes. However, P. squarrosulus increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lowered reproductive hormonal levels in test rats when compared to experimental control and those placed on reference foods. Since ALP increase is associated with the prostate, there is need to extend the study on P.squarrosulus to accommodate its effect on prostate and reproduction. This study has evaluated the nutritional, anti-nutritional and some biochemical studies on P.squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer using rats.

 

Key words: Nutritional, anti-nutritional, biochemical studies, mushroom, Pleurotus squarrosulus.