Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, Angola

Abstract

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the α-tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulations.

Survey of Edible Amanita in Northern Thailand and Their Nutritional Value, Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities

“…The amounts of ash, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and fiber of the four edible Amanita species in this study were within the ranges mentioned in previous reports of edible Amanita . Accordingly, the ash (0.11–11.82% dry weight), carbohydrate (22.16–61.70% dry weight), protein (10.11–45.65% dry weight), fat (0.17–17.52% dry weight) and fiber (1.18–30.30% dry weight) contents were found in various edible Amanita species, namely A. caesarea , A. calyptroderma , A. fulva , A. hemibapha , A. princeps , A. rubescens , and A. zambiana [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ]. When compared to the findings of other previously published reports, the protein content of the Amanita species obtained in this study was relatively higher than those of A. calyptroderma [ 75 ] and A. loosei [ 69 ].…”

“…Accordingly, the ash (0.11–11.82% dry weight), carbohydrate (22.16–61.70% dry weight), protein (10.11–45.65% dry weight), fat (0.17–17.52% dry weight) and fiber (1.18–30.30% dry weight) contents were found in various edible Amanita species, namely A. caesarea , A. calyptroderma , A. fulva , A. hemibapha , A. princeps , A. rubescens , and A. zambiana [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ]. When compared to the findings of other previously published reports, the protein content of the Amanita species obtained in this study was relatively higher than those of A. calyptroderma [ 75 ] and A. loosei [ 69 ]. With regard to the outcomes of this study, this is the first comprehensive report on the nutritional composition of A. pseudoprinceps , A. rubromarginata , and A. subhemibapha .…”

“…This determination is supported by the results of previous studies, which reported that high phenolic content is responsible for the high antioxidant activity [ 45 , 83 , 94 ]. Prior to this present study, the antioxidant activities of A. caesarea , A. calyptroderma , A. hemibapha , A. javanica , A. loosei , A. ovidea , and A. princeps have been reported from a variety of assays employing different mechanisms including lipid peroxidation, metal chelation, reducing power and scavenging activity, among others [ 69 , 75 , 79 , 80 , 81 ]. However, variations in the assays themselves, and the results they express, make it difficult to compare the outcomes obtained in this study with those of previous studies.…”

Ethnomycological prospect of wild edible and medicinal mushrooms from Central and Southern Africa—A review

“…However, several of these are also used in different geographical areas. Some of these names include ochui vió in Gabon, ubwoba in Burundi, bowa in Malawi, ubuyoga in Tanzania mbowa, ubuaba or uhwa in Zambia, boua in Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and tortulho, chelene , and ndenda in Angola (Buyck, 1994; Harkonen, 1995; Kissanga et al., 2022; Malaisse et al., 2008; Ndong, 2010; Pegler & Piearce, 1980).…”

“…The correct taxonomic identification of mushrooms is challenging as no single tool can allow unambiguous species identification in most cases. An integrative taxonomical approach seems to be the best practice, aiming at evaluating diagnostic characters, either phenotypic, molecular, or both, also combining genealogy (phylogeny), phenotype (including autecology), and reproductive biology data (Kissanga et al., 2022). Molecular biology techniques have been increasingly used to identify species and, although there is currently no single tool for identifying fungi, DNA barcoding has succeeded as a tool to identify fungi genera and species (Seifert, 2009).…”