Nutrient Composition and Consumer Acceptability of Cultivated Edible Mushrooms

Abstract

Worldwide mushrooms have gained great commercial interest due to their nutraceutical and nutritional properties, even though lots of new food products being introduced in the market day by day. Mushroom cultivation and utilization is not catching up in India. The present study was undertaken with the following objectives to have an insight on the consumer preference for mushrooms, to conduct a market survey on availability and cost of cultivated mushrooms analyze the proximate nutrient composition of the selected mushroom sand. Hundred home makers in Ernakulum city were selected to study the consumer preference for mushrooms. Survey conducted showed that majority (78%) of them did not purchase mushroom. About one- fourth (22%) of urban consumers bought mushrooms [white button mushroom (Agaricus), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus) and milky mushrooms (Calocybe)]. Market survey revealed that only three mushroom species namely, Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotuso streatus and Calocybe indica were available in Ernakulam market. Proximate analysis of these three varieties of mushrooms showed that mushrooms are rich in protein (15.4 g to 21.3 g) and fiber (8.3 g to 19.8 g) but low in fat content (2.9 g to 4.7 g) per 100 gms.