ABSTRACT
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) cultivated in the laboratory was studied for nutritional constituents, flavor components, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Nutritional constituents estimated per 100 g dry weight (d.w.) include protein (29.3 g), carbohydrate (62.97 g), crude fat (0.91 g), ash (6.82 g) and crude fiber (12.3 g). Energy value of this mushroom was about 297.5 kcal/100 g d.w. Major mineral components estimated include Ca, Fe, and Mg with highest level of 505.0, 109.5 and 108.7 mg/100 g respectively. Methanolic extract containing significant amounts of phenols and flavonoids showed free radical scavenging potential and antibacterial activities against various spp. of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Compounds responsible for antibacterial activities analyzed by GC-MS include ß- Sistosterol, Cholestanol, 1,5-Dibenzoylnaphthalene and 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid. Flavor components extracted by hot extraction method were found to be higher in number and concentration than the cold extraction method. The characteristic flavor component of mushroom i.e. 1-Octen-3-ol was better extracted by hot than the cold.
