Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Pleurotus tuberregium, a species of oyster mushroom, is known for its rich nutritional content and medicinal properties. However, its cultivation and promotion in the Enugu area have been relatively limited. This study aimed to promote the composition of Pleurotus tuberregium through a case study conducted in the Enugu area. The research involved assessing the growth conditions, nutritional content, and medicinal benefits of Pleurotus tuberregium. The methods included in-depth interviews with local farmers, field surveys, and laboratory analyses of the mushroom samples. The results indicated that Pleurotus tuberregium can thrive well in the Enugu area given the suitable temperature, humidity, and substrate conditions. The nutritional analysis revealed that the mushroom is a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable addition to the local diet. Furthermore, the medicinal properties of Pleurotus tuberregium were highlighted through the presence of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. The study recommended the promotion of Pleurotus tuberregium cultivation in the Enugu area as a sustainable source of nutrition and medicine. This can be achieved through training programs for local farmers, providing access to quality spawn and substrates, and creating market linkages for the harvested mushrooms. Overall, the research findings emphasize the importance of promoting the composition of Pleurotus tuberregium in the Enugu area to enhance food security, improve nutrition, and harness the medicinal benefits of this valuable mushroom species. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific insights, the cultivation of Pleurotus tuberregium can contribute to sustainable agriculture practices and economic development in the region.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTIONplenntus tuberregium is a fungi as and an aerobic metabolism and generates energy form oxidation of organic compound. The morphor logical differentiation of plenntus tuberregium is limited. It forms hyphen and develop each type depending on the growth condition. The diameter of the hyphen is usually 5NM. The hyphen is either without septate or has a cellular morphology by septate hyphae. The mass of hyphae represent the mycellium (Stolp, 1988).plenntus tuberregium posses rigid cell wall. It does not posses chlorophyll and it has a chemoorganotrophic metabolism. It belongs to the group of fungi called basidiomycetes and are the most developed fungi. They produce basidia containing the four basidiospores. The mycellium consist of septate hyphen.However, plenntus tuberregium supplies the major food types. Protein, carbohydrates, fat and oil as well as minerals (OSO, 1977). It is known to be tastier than meat, fish or seed plant proteins. People who abstain from meat for religious reasons have greater choice of plant protein and superior alternative taste in plenntus tuberregium. The fruiting body as well as sclerotigl mass is more commercially Demanded and yet minimally exploited.Several indigenous knowledge and uses of plenntus tuberregium point to the tremendous potential of this biological resource.As a food stablizer / thickening agentAs binding agent.As a rich source of foric acid for children and pregnant women.As a rich source of calcium for the bones of aging men and women as well as treatment for boils constipation and dental caries (Oso, 1977).A visit tot he market place any where in Igbo land, would show this commodity being processed in the soup condiment section. The sclerotia mass is scrapped and ground with curcurbita (Melon seeds). This causes swelling and bulking of the soup. A local snacks called -Ogbalotic” is prepared from Curcurbita Pepo and plenntus tuberregium it is normally tied in a leaf of cola gigantea and boiled which yields a well known health and energy sustaining snacks. It is cherished till today in the villages. Travelers and farm workers need only this and large volume of water to sustain them for days.This taxanomic position of plenntus tuberregium has been problematic because it produces eathery fruit bodies and posses of dogmatic hyphen system with interracially skeletal hyphae, many prenous authorities placed it in either panus or lentinus (Corner, 1981, Peyler, 1983).plenntus tuberregium has been eaten since classical times (Corner, 1981, Nwokolo 1987, and Okhuoya, et al, 1998). The question of sustainability of plenntus tuberregiumis guareur teed being a biological resources, the technology has been developed for massive production (Okhuoya et al 1998). Other added advantages include the fact that substrate for cultivation of plenntus tuberregium is waste such as rice straw, wood dust. Sunnlight is not required so that caves and shades could maximally produced plenntus tuberregium industrially.OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDYThe present study is to ascertain t he nutritional composition of plenntus tuberregium