A.S. DESHMUKH, S.S. DESHMUKH, V.S. PATHAK AND A.S. PATIL
Abstract
Mushrooms are important natural source of foods and medicines. Although mushroom has been recognized as oriental medicine, the last decade has been noticed for the swamping interest in pharmaceutical principles of mushrooms in the researches. Mushroom are the miniature pharmaceutical units of nature. The bioactive compounds of mushroom include polysaccharides, proteins, fats, ash, glycosides, alkaloids, volatile oils, tocopherols, phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, folates, ascorbic acid, enzymes and organic acids. Over population, malnutrition problem in developing countries like India create a necessity of mushroom cultivation as alternative food protein source and as an income generating activity for landless laborer, youth and women. The present review is aimed to discuss the bioactive metabolities in mushrooms responsible for controlling antioxidant activity and cancer.