Ethnostudy of Mushrooms Newly Discovered in Nigeria

Indigenous knowledge of mushrooms of Ukwa-East in Abia State were surveyed and nutritional compositions of Cantharellus species were analyzed. Eighty-five (60.71%) of the 140 administered questionnaires successfully retrieved were fully responded to. The results were analyzed by gender, age groups, and locations. The study showed that more than 85% of the respondents consume edible mushrooms because of its palatability and nutritional importance, also 23% respondents take them as substitute for meat, while 10% of the respondents consume mushrooms because of its medicinal purpose. The study also showed that more than 95% of respondents use sun drying, 13% use refrigeration, 9% make use of flaming, 1% oven dry while 2% of the respondents use salt solution to preserve harvested mushrooms. The residents of Ukwa-East Local Government Area of Abia State have indigenous knowledge of mushrooms and their uses and the results obtained indicate that Cantharellus species is a good source of phytochemicals, proximate components and minerals. However, further studies on its polysaccharide contents, toxicity, medicinal value and establishment of pure culture are highly recommended.