Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 136-138.

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Print ISSN - 2249-7730

International Journal of Phytotherapy

www.phytotherapyjournal.com

NUTRITIONAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF

DIFFERENT PARTS OF Termitomyces eurrhizus FROM THE ODISHA
Ashutosh Rajoriya, Sushri Shant Tripathy, Nibha Gupta*
Division of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751015, India.
ABSTRACT
Several wild edible mushrooms are grown in different part of Odisha state of India. Termitomyces are
edible class of mushroom and considered as main food stuff. Present study is based on the nutritional and
antioxidant components in Termitomyces eurrhizus. Mushrooms were harvested, dried, pulverized and analyzed for
the different parameters according to standard protocols. Proximate analysis showed good amount of proteins,
carbohydrates, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars. The results revealed the DPPH free radical scavenging
activity and its corresponding AEAC value in significant amounts with carotenoids being the highest, followed by
ascorbic acid and phenolic content. The obtained values of the phytochemicals in the three different parts of the
mushroom were found to be significantly variable, protein content was found to be high in upper stipe (5.60mg/gm)
followed by pileus (4.28mg/gm) and lower stipe (3.70mg/gm) whereas high amount of carotenoids was present in
pileus (5.42mg/gm) followed by lower stipe (4.55mg/gm) and upper stipe (3.07mg/gm). The result obtained from
this study suggests that T. eurrhizus may be very safe for consumption in terms of phytochemical toxicity and at the
same time on account of some medicinal properties.
Key words: Termitomyces eurrhizus, Nutritional, Antioxidant, Phytochemicals.
INTRODUCTION
Studies in the mushroom diversity shows that
approximately 1,40,000 species of mushrooms have
already been catalogued all over the world, out of them
about 2,000 is considered to be safe for the consumption
of human being and about 700 for their therapeutic
properties. Some species are considered good for edibility
and medicinal properties due to the presence of
pharmacologically active substances and many essential
nutrients [1]. Mushrooms are a good source of vitamins
and minerals and are preferred due to their special flavour
and aroma. Different mushrooms have been studied
widely by the many scientific communities in search for
new therapeutic agents as alternatives and the results have
proven their bioactive properties plays a wide role [2].
Mushrooms are rich sources of nutraceuticals [3]. Besides

their pharmacological potentials, mushrooms are

becoming more popular due to their nutritive value related
to its high protein, low fat and high energy contents [4,5].
Mushrooms are being used as a source of
medicine since the time immemorial. The medicinal
properties of mushrooms have been investigated in the
recent Studies throughout the world, due to their potent
antioxidant activities with lesser case of side effects [6].
Majority of the diseases and disorders are linked to
oxidative stress due to production of free radical. Free
radicals are important to any biochemical process and
represent an essential part of aerobic life and metabolic
activities [7]. The most common reactive oxygen species
(ROS) include hydrogen peroxide (H202), peroxyl (ROO-)
radicals, superoxide, anion and reactive hydroxyl (OH-)

Corresponding Author:-Nibha Gupta Email: nguc2003@yahoo.co.in

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Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 136-138.

radicals. Nitric oxide (NO2) and peroxynitrite anion

(ONOO) are the nitrogen derived free radicals. ROS are
responsible for the number of health aliments say arthritis
and connective tissue disorders, carcinogenesis, aging,
physical
injury,
infections
and
acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome [8]. For the treatment of
these diseases, antioxidant therapy has proved to be
important. Antioxidants have been reported to prevent
oxidative damages by neutralizing free radical formation,
and may prevent the occurrence of diseases such as,
cancer which is directly related to reactive free radical
production. It can interfere with the oxidation process by
reacting with free radicals, chelating catalytic metals, and
also by acting as oxygen scavengers [9]. Phenolic
compounds widely distributed in mushrooms which have
been reported to exert multiple bioactivities, including
antioxidant, free radical scavenging abilities, antiinflammatory, anti-carcinogenic etc [10]. The antioxidative and free radical scavenging properties of the
phenolic content of mushroom methanolic extracts have
been reported, suggesting possible protective roles of
these compounds, due to their ability to capture metals,
inhibit lipoxygenase and scavenge free radicals [11].
Termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae are
known for their obligate symbiosis with Termitomyces
mushrooms, although the exact benefit of the association
is still debating. Termitomyces are believed to degrade
lignocelluloses into smaller units which then can be used
by the fungus- growing termites [12,13]. Odisha being the
temperate region with suitable climatic conditions which
favours luxuriant growth of different mushroom species
including different species of Termitomyces. The aim of
present work is to study and analyze the nutritive and
antioxidant capacity of one of the dominant mushroom
species, Termitomyces eurrhizus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Proximate analysis
Estimation of protein was done at 595nm using
Bradford method. The values were expressed in mg per
gram of dried sample. Estimation of total carbohydrate
was done by phenol sulphuric acid method. Glucose was
taken as standard and the readings were taken at 490nm.
Estimation of reducing sugar was done by following
dinitrosalicylic acid method. Estimation of Non reducing
sugar was done by taking the difference between total
carbohydrates and reducing sugar. The value was
expressed in gm/ 100 gm dry weight of the sample.
Antioxidant analysis
The total phenolic content in the wild edible
mushroom were determined through Folin phenol method
given by Singleton & Rossi. Gallic acid served as
standard. The ascorbic acid content in the mushroom was
determined by volumetric method given by Harris et al.,
1935. The quantification of carotenoid was done by
following the formula of Arnon and expressed in mg/gm.
Antioxidant assay
Free radical scavenging activity: The DPPH
activity was estimated in the methanolic extracts by a
colorimetric method. 1ml of methanolic extract was added
with 2 ml of DPPH solution and incubated for 30 min. in
dark after vigorous shaking. Absorbance was measured at
517 nm and scavenging activity of each extract on DPPH
radical was calculated, Ascorbic acid Equivalent
Antioxidant Capacity (AEAC) was calculated by keeping
the value of absorbance in the standard ascorbic acid
graph and values was represented in terms of mg/gm.

Table 1. Representing nutritional and antioxidant parameters of Termitomyces eurrhizus

Sl No.
Parameters
Pileus
Upper stipe
1.
Protein (mg/g)
4.28 0.16
5.60 0.12
2.
Total carbohydrate (g/100g)
7.00 0.83
16.5 2.65
3.
Reducing Sugar (gm/100gm)
1.08 0.49
2.79 0.51
4.
Non Red. Sugar (gm/100gm)
5.83 1.03
14.15 2.51
5.
Carotenoids (mg/g)
5.42 1.92
3.07 0.26
6.
DPPH Scavenging %
87.881.37
773.02
7.
AEAC Value (mg/g)
0.380.008
0.330.01
8.
Phenolics (gm/100gm)
0.150.03
0.130.02
9.
Ascorbic acid (gm/100gm)
0.310.02
0.270.02
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Protein content was recorded maximum in Upper
stipe (5.60 mg/gm) and least in lower stipe (3.70 mg/gm)
however high amount of carbohydrate was found in the
stipe region as compared to Pileus (7.00 gm/100gm).
Reducing sugars was found to be maximum in Lower

Lower stipe
3.70 0.63
17.9 1.34
3.50 0.67
14.25 1.42
4.55 0.13
83.588.36
0.360.05
0.200.01
0.310.008

stipe (3.50 gm/100gm) and minimum in Pileus region of

the mushroom (1.08 gm/100gm), relatively high amount
of non reducing sugars was recorded highest in both
upper and lower stipe i.e 14.15 /100gm and 14.25
gm/100gm respectively. High amount of carotenoids was
present in pileus (5.42mg/gm) followed by lower stipe

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Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 136-138.

(4.55mg/gm) and upper stipe (3.07mg/gm). DPPH

scavenging activity was found to be maximum in pileus
(87.88%) and minimum in upper stipe (77%) followed by
lower stipe (83.58%) corresponding AEAC value was
also found highest in the pileus (0.38mg/gm) and lowest
in upper stipe (0.33mg/gm) followed by lower Stipe
(0.36mg/gm). Phenolic content obtained was maximum in
the lower stipe (0.20gm/100gm) whereas minimum in
upper stipe (0.13gm/100gm), almost similar amount of
ascorbic acid was recorded in lower stipe and the pileusi.e
0.31gm/100gm followed by the upper stipe region
(0.27gm/100gm).
Over all in three parts of T. eurrhizus
carbohydrate content was less in comparison to T.

microcarpus and T. heimii i.e 46.531.01 and 39.030.96

respectively. Phenolic content found in the T. eurrhizus
was less than the methanolic extract of Boletus edulis as
reported by Kosanic et al (4.64 mg/gm). Concentration of
phenols in the pileus and stipe was less in the studied
mushroom as compared to the T. reticulatus reported by
Loganathan et al (2.91.00 mg/gm and 2.51.00mg/gm )
respectively.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The financial assistance obtained in part from
State Plan project, Dept of Forest and Environment, Govt
of Odisha and Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt.
of India is gratefully acknowledged.

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