Claude Bernard AKE

Psahyrella tuberculata is a small saprophyte mushroom growing in the forest. It is edible and sold in the local markets of Côte d’Ivoire. Despite its current use in cuisine as alternative to fish or meat, the nutritional composition has been less documented. Thus this study was carried out to evaluate its nutritional value as calcium, copper, magnesium, iron, selenium and zinc content in the edible carpophores of P. tuberculata. Significant differences were noticed between amounts of the minerals identified (P˂0.001). Of all the six minerals, calcium was the most abundant (102.627±0.002 mg/100g). Conversely selenium was the less abundant mineral (1.984±0.002 mg/100g). Otherwise, amounts of copper, iron, magnesium and zinc were respectively 1.870±0.002 mg/100g, 53.338±0.002 mg/100g, 73.138±0.002 mg/100g, 13.159±0.002 mg/100g and suggested to be sufficient to cover daily intakes. The carpophores of P. tuberculata are to be considered as a better food because of its nutritional value and heath benefit. For sustainable use, domestication should be practiced and forests should be preserved.