CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND AMINO ACID PROFILE OF PLEUROTUS DJAMOR AND PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS CULTIVATED IN MEXICO

Pleurotus djamor from Yucatan State, Mexico was compared with a local variety of P. ostreatus, in terms of chemical composition and amino acid profile. No differences were found (P=0.55) in crude protein content of P. djamor and P. ostreatus (20.2 +/- 0.15 vs. 20.3 +/- 0.16 g/100 g DM., respectively). P. ostreatus had a lower fiber and fat content (P<0.05). No difference was found in ash content (P>0.05). P. ostreatus has a higher proportion (P<0.05) of valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, aspartate and alanine while P. djamor had higher proportion (P<0.05) of proline and glutamate, no difference was found in the remaining amino acids. Both species had a high proportion of aspartate and glutamate. In general, the human amino acid requirements for adults are satisfied, however, leucine and lysine might become limiting. It was concluded that P. djamor can be included in human diet in similar fashion as P. ostreatus.