Mushroom

• A mushroom is a fleshy spore bearing fruiting body of fungus grown on dead and decayed organic matter.
• They grow on organic matter and don’t photosynthesize.
• The most common mushroom grown in Nepal are Kanya (Pleurotus/Oyester), Shitake , Volverella, etc.

Importance of Mushroom

1.Nutritional composition of mushroom.

• Moisture:-85-90%.
• Protein :-Glutamic acid, Aspartic acid and Arginine.

The digestibility of mushroom is 10 times faster than animal protein.

• Fat:- less than 2%.
• Ash and minerals :- It is a good source of Ca, P, K,Na and Mg.
• Vitamins :- Vit.B2(Riboflavin), Vit.B3(Niacin) and Vit. B9(Folates).
• Carbohydrates:- 35-70%.

2. Health benefits.

• It contains antioxidant.(Stops release of free radicals hence preventing aging.)
• It has low cholesterol level.

3. Medicinal importance.

• Morchella(Guchi chyau) is used against diarrhea.
• Pleurotus officinalis is used for blood coagulation , chest pain , TB , High sweating , Jundice and internal parasites.
• Used as Anaesthetic agent.
• It is used as healing agent for wounds.
• It is used for swollen glands and tumor.