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

Abstract

In several regions of Africa, the daily diet is partly dependent on the edible products from wild animals, plants, and mushrooms, driven by their availability, wide distribution in the local environment, and the low incomes of the general population. The documentation of ethnomycological information is particularly important to validate or correct the identification of specimens and the preservation of these natural resources with cultivation potential, thus improving their consumption and utilization for medicinal purposes. The number of wild edible mushroom species consumed varies between different regions of Africa, with around 300 species being documented in the literature. However, despite its rich biodiversity, the African continent is still underexploited, which is reflected in poor food contribution to populations that are often in need. Here, the safe use of mushrooms is guided by the insufficiency of studies that validate their nutritional and medicinal properties, since they are key factors in the suppression of protein deficiency in the everyday diet of the populations and a source of bioactive compounds useful for the formulation of added‐value functional products. Thus, it becomes essential to investigate African mushrooms, not only from the identification point of view, but also in terms of nutritional, chemical, and bioactive characterization, hence deepen the knowledge about this valuable natural resource. Bearing these in mind, the main objective of this study is to systematize the knowledge available in scientific publications and specialized websites, thus gathering information about the valuable profits that come from using these widely appreciated natural products.

Mycelium Composites for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries: The Case for Africa

“…[ 36 ] Yet, only ≈300 species are well‐known for their culinary and medicinal uses, mostly in rural communities. [ 34,35,106–108 ] These fungi, primarily belonging to the Basidiomycota phylum, are predominantly found in the Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) region; a small group of fungi in the Ascomycota phylum are also found in the Saharan region and the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. [ 32–34 ] Table 4 lists examples of local wild fungi species found in various African regions.…”

“…[ 31 ] The lack of interest in mushroom cultivation [ 32–34 ] has been attributed to various factors: the limited documentation on the characteristics, growth requirements, and ethnomycology of locally available fungi; the scarcity of fungal biologists; the lack of infrastructure, adequate technical support, and operating capital. [ 35,36 ] Revenues from the sale of agricultural waste materials and local mushroom species to mycelium composite producers could serve as an incentive for farmers to boost productivity and engagement in these sectors. The mycelium composite market could also generate more employment opportunities (and income) for the population.…”

First Report on Wild Occurrences of Phoenix Mushroom (<i>Pleurotus pulmonarius</i> Fr. Quél.) in Indonesia

“…The species of Pleurotus species are considered edible mushrooms and used by many local tribals due to their unique texture and flavor (Bastos et al 2023). The current study report for the first time the wild occurrence of P. pulmonarius in Indonesia.…”