Phytochemical Characteristics Evaluation of Pleurotus species Cultivated on Agricultural Wastes in Chiro, Ethiopia

Background: Mushrooms are a nutritious food source, being rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. They are also contains substances that enhance the immune system, fight infectious disease. Mushrooms can be cultivated on a variety of substrates, including agricultural and agro-industrial waste materials. The current study was amid to evaluate the phytochemical characteristics of Pleurotus species cultivated on different agricultural wastes. Methods: Mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida were cultivated on different agricultural wastes for the screening of phytochemical characteristics. Qualitative analyses of the phytochemicals were evaluated in methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of both Pleurotus spp. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method and Spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride. Result: Qualitative analyses revealed the phytochemicals alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and tannins were present in methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of both Pleurotus spp. while anthraquinones and Phlobatannins were absent in aqueous extracts. The highest concentration of phenols and flavonoids were recorded in methanolic extracts of P. ostreatus and P. florida (48.17 mg GAE/g of extract and 56.57 mg of RUE/g of extract and 46.73 mg GAE/g of extract and 55.58 mg of RUE/g of extract respectively). The results supported the methanolic extracts of P. ostreatus and P. florida might indeed be potential sources of phytochemicals.