Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of some Syrian wild mushroom (Agaricus spp) strains

This research aims to study the chemical content (moisture, ash, fat, protein, fiber and carbohydrate), phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of the fruit bodies resulting from the cultivation of six edible Syrian wild mushroom strains of the Agaricus genus. These strains were collected from the western countryside of Homs governorate in Syria (Agaricus bispours BR5, Agaricus bispours B.R.9, Agaricus sinodeliciosus BR17, Agaricus qilianensis BR22, Agaricus sinodeliciosus BR42 and Agaricus qilianensis BR47) and were compared to the commercially cultivated Agaricus bisporus strain Sylvan A15 as a control. The results showed that wild strains had a good chemical composition. The BR47 had the highest protein content among the studied strains (29.52%), which was close to the content of the control (28.55%). All strains recorded higher carbohydrate content compared to the control (p < 0.01), and BR42 had the highest content (72.24%). The fat content in the studied strains ranged from 1.68 to 5.34%, and they were all less than the control (7.29%). BR9 was marked by a high phenol content (1.93 mg.g(–1) of dry weight), while the control had higher antioxidant activity (82.41%). A strong correlation was noted between antioxidant activity, protein, fat and ash. Some studied strains showed nutritional value and distinctive biological properties, indicating they can be used for food and pharmaceutical purposes.