ABSTRACT

Plant foods are receiving more scientific attention because of their potential to ameliorate certain ailments in the human system. Postreatus is a fungi popularly called oyster mushroom, which has been known for producing biologically active secondary metabolites. This study was conducted with the objective to determine the concentrations of phytochemicals present in this edible mushroom grown on palm bunches soaked in varying concentrations of HCI ranging from 0.1M HCl to 0.5M HCl and control which was totally void of HC1. The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. Results of this screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides, reducing sugars and steroids. The result revealed that phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and reducing sugars were present in appreciable quantities, while the others were low. Phenols was highest in 0. 1M HC1 with a mean±S.E.M of 188.96±6.0 1 mg/g while the lowest was found in 0.2M HCI with a concentration of 106.56±1.76 mg/g. Tannin was highest in 0.1M HCl, having a concentration of 5.89±0.83 mg/g and the least concentration was found in 5.24±0.04 mg/g. The HC1 concentration with the highest flavonoid was 0.2M HCI (160.20±1.85 mg/g) while the least was in control (51.93±0.67 mg/g). Steroids was highest in control (0.48±0.01 mg/g) and least in 0.SMIHC1 (0.05±0.0 1 mg/g). Alkaloids was highest in 0.2M HCL (46.88±0.43) while the least was found in 0.5M HCl (24.10±0.94 mg/g). Terpenoids had the highest concentration in control (9.37±0.39 mg/g) while the least was found in 0.5M HCI (3 .75±0.25 mg/g). Glycosides had the highest concentration in 0.2M HCI (1.98±0.00 mg/g) and the least in 0.5M HCI (1.67±0.00 mg/g). Reducing sugars was highest in control (23.95±0.96 mg!g) while the least was in 0.2M HCI (18.73±1.62). These phytochemicals have a broad spectrum of biological activities which includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, analgesic, immunostimulatory, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antitumor anticancer amongst a host of others. This study therefore suggests that the cultivation and consumption of Postreatus on palm bunches soaked in varying HCI concentrations can have a positive effect on the health of the human body in several ways and can be harnessed in the management and control of diseases.