Bioprospecting of Wild Mushrooms from India with Respect to Their Medicinal Aspects

The forest region of the Ranchi District of Jharkhand, India, is rich with various wild mushrooms. Of the 200 samples collected, 9 species were identified and subjected to medicinal studies. For antibacterial assay, 4 strains of bacteria (namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and P. putida) were used. For antifungal assay, 4 strains of fungi (namely, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Microsporum canis, and Cladosporium herbarum) were used. Also, tests such as the α-amylase inhibition assay, a measure of antidiabetes activity, and antioxidant assays such as the DPPH, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory assays, which determine anti-Alzheimer disease properties, were carried out. Agaricus bisporus, A. campestris, Russula cyanoxantha, and Amanita pantherina all showed a maximal zone of inhibition against P. putida and M. canis. Ganoderma lucidum, Astraeus hygrometricus, and R. emetica all showed a maximal zone of inhibition against E. coli and A. flavus. Pleurotus populinus showed a maximal zone of inhibition against P. fluorescens and C. herbarum. P. pulmonarius showed a maximal zone of inhibition against S. typhi and M. canis. Also, all the collected samples showed α-amylase-inhibitory activity. A. hygrometricus showed maximal DPPH activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power, whereas A. bisporus showed maximal acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.