Journal of Nutrition and Food Security

en Optimization of Cultivation Parameters and Evaluation of Nutritional and In-Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Macrocybe gigantean public specific orginal article <div style="text-align: justify;">Macrocybe gigantea is an edible wild mushroom with potential nutritional and bioactive value. The present study aimed to isolate, identify and optimize the cultivation parameters of M. gigantea and to evaluate its nutritional composition, phytochemical constituents and in-vitro antioxidant activity. Methods: Mushroom was identified using morphological characteristics and ITS rDNA partial sequencing followed by BLAST analysis. Growth media, pH, temperature and different lignocellulosic substrates were evaluated for mycelial growth and yield. Proximate composition (dry weight basis), phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity were analysed using standard methods including DPPH, FRAP and reducing power assays. Results: The collected mushroom was identified as Macrocybe gigantea based on microscopic examination and ITS rDNA sequencing, which showed 99.12% similarity (93% query coverage; E-value 0.0; max score 1112) in BLAST analysis. Paddy straw showed the highest biological efficiency (84.7±1.1%) compared with other substrates. Nutritional composition analysis on a dry weight basis revealed a high protein content (47.34±3.28%), followed by a substantial proportion of carbohydrates (37.21±1.86%), and a comparatively low fat content (3.04±0.24%). Additionally, it is a valuable source of vitamins B, C, and D. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids and other bioactive compounds. The mushroom ethanol extract exhibited better antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of DPPH (57.07±1.71 μg/ml), ABTS (39.18 μg/ml±1.18) and phosphomolybdenum assay (IC₅₀: 45.22±1.36 μg/ml). Conclusion: Macrocybe gigantea demonstrated high biological efficiency on paddy straw and exhibited appreciable nutritional value along with significant in-vitro antioxidant activity, particularly in the ethanol extract. Further in-vivo studies are required to validate its potential health benefits.</div> Macrocybe gigantean,Mushroom bed,Spawning,Nutritive profile,Antioxidants. 489 503 http://jnfs.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1645-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Nirmala Saravanan 0009-0007-4418-0663 No Department of Botany, Shrimathi Devkunvar Nanalal Bhatt Vaishnav College for Women, Chromepet, Chennai, 600044, India Siva Rajagopal 0000-0002-8189-8750 No 2 Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Pallavaram, Chennai 600117, India Pavithran Kuma 0000-0001-7952-8868 No Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Pallavaram, Chennai 600117, India Manjunathan Jagadeesan 0000-0002-5745-0278 No Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Pallavaram, Chennai 600117, India Manoj Kumar Srinivasan 0009-0006-2000-9514 No Department of ENT, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India. Shenbhagaraman Ramalingam shenbhagaraman@gmail.com 0000-0003-0755-1668 Yes Department of ENT, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India.