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Studies to exploit wild mushrooms as a source of biologically active compounds are gaining importance in the recent years. In that view, the present study was carried out to evaluate the bioactive compounds of six wild edible mushrooms: Lentinus squarrosulus Mont., Auricularia auricular-judae (Bull.) Wettst., Mycetinis copelandii (Desjardin) A.W. Wilson & Desjardin, Baeospora myosura (Fr.) Singer, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. fr) Kummer and Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex. Fr.) Singer. The specimen was subjected to phytochemical screening using gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) with the view to identify the important volatile constituents. The dried sporocarp was subjected to methanol extraction using a Soxhlet extractor and rotatory evaporator. This led to the identification of 14, 26, 33, 5, 49 and 32 different compounds in L. squarrosulus, A. auricular-judae, M. copelandii, B. myosura, P. ostreatus and V. volvacea respectively. n-Hexadecanoic acid; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- and 2(3H)-Furanone where the most frequently occurring compounds across the studied mushrooms. The identified compound reportedly shows diverse bioactive activities, including antiviral, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anaphylactic, narcotic, neurostimulant, emollient, expectorant, laxative, pesticidal, insecticidal and insectifugal activities. This data may provide baseline information about the bioactive constituents of these species from Nigeria, in providing valuable compounds of substantial medicinal and agricultural importance.

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Abstract. This study investigated the ability of Penicillium sp. to bio-remediate spent engine oil contaminated soil both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro assay, mycelium of a seven day old culture of Penicillium sp. grown on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) was punched out using a 0.5mm Cork borer and inoculated on the centre of Petri dishes containing the spent and unspent engine oil and incubated for seven days and daily reading of the mycelia growth obtained using a metre rule. For the in vivo assay, soil received 0 (control), 20/180, 40/360, 60/540, 80/720 and 100ml/900mm concentrations/treatments (inoculation with mycelium of Penicillium sp.). Seeds of Telfeira occidentalis was sown on the soil and assessed for growth performance (plant height, leaf area (using a metre rule) and leaf count (number of leaves) for 7, 14, 21 and 28 Days after Planting (DAP). Results of the in vitro assay showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the growth diameter of Penicillium sp. relative to control. Results of the in vivo assay showed that spent engine oil had no significant effect (p<0.05) on the growth performance of T. occidentalis at 7, 14, 21 and 28 DAP and on fresh and dry weight (g) 28 DAP relative to control. After 28 days of plant growth, the added spent engine oil was no longer detected. The plant began producing pods 61 DAP. This study showed that Penicillium sp. can biodegrade hydrocarbons present in spent engine oil and as such is a good tool for bioremediation.