Nutritional and bioactive potential of two wild edible mushrooms (Lentinus sajor-caju and Lentinus torulosus) from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India

The nutritional and medicinal potential (antioxidant and antibacterial activities) of 2 wild edible mushroom species (Lentinus sajor-caju and Lentinus torulosus) of Similipal Biosphere Reserve were determined. The macronutrient profile of these mushrooms in general revealed high source of protein (27. 31-28. 36 g/100 g), carbohydrate (64. 95-68. 24 g/100 g), and low amounts of fat (1. 36-2. 42 g/100 g) and possessed good quantities of micronutrients (vitamins and carotenoids) and minerals (P, K, Mn, Ni, and Fe). The solvent extracts (ethanol, methanol, and water) of the mushrooms exhibited strong antioxidant properties (ABTS, DPPH, H₂O₂, and metal chelating activities) with scavenging activity upto 70. 54% along with phenol, flavonoid, and total antioxidant capacity. Both the mushrooms showed moderate antibacterial activity (11. 0-18. 33 mm inhibition zones) against Streptococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae. Being a rich source of nutritional and medicinal potential, these 2 studied mushrooms can be used in human diet as nutraceuticals and functional foods.