Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS COLLECTED FROM MAHAL FOREST OF DANG DISTRICT, GUJARAT, INDIA

H.A.Modi*, Sanjay Parihar, E .A. Pithawala and N.K. Jain

ABSTRACT

Pleurotus ostreatus, Agaricus bisporus, Coprinus comatus and Volvareilla volvacea, wild edible macrofungi were screened for preliminary phytochemical analysis and evaluate in vitro antimicrobial potential of various solvent extracts. The phytochemical screening was performed by modified Harborne, and Adebayo & Ishola method and antimicrobial activity against human pathogens was evaluated by agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical analysis reveals that the extracts were rich source of phytoconstituents containing carbohydrate, saponins, phenols, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, flavanoids and Anthraquinones. Methanol extracts exhibit higher solubility for more active antimicrobial and phytochemical constituents, consequently displaying the highest antimicrobial activity. The extract could be potential source of new antimicrobial agents and scientifically validates the use of the macrofungi in traditional medicine.

Keywords: Edible mushroom, Agar well diffusion assay, Phytochemicals, Antibacterial activity.