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@article{208869,
        author = {Rajesh Kumar Tenguria and Umesh Sikarware},
        title = {Biochemical and Nutritional Profiling of Wild Auricularia polytricha from Bhopal, India.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {4},
        pages = {3201-3206},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=208869},
        abstract = {Despite the growing interest in the pharmacological and nutritional properties of Auricularia polytricha, comprehensive biochemical datasets on uncultivated, wild populations in the Indian subcontinent remain significantly fragmented. Current literature heavily emphasizes commercial strains, overlooking the genetic and nutritional potential of native ecotypes. This study aimed to quantify the macromolecular composition (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and characterize the qualitative and quantitative phenolic profiles of wild Auricularia polytricha fruiting bodies naturally occurring in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Fresh fungal specimens were collected from Swarn Jayanti Park, cryopreserved, lyophilized, and pulverized. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were prepared to conduct qualitative phytochemical screening. Proximate analysis evaluated total soluble proteins, carbohydrates, and crude lipids using standard modified protocols, while Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was quantified utilizing the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Proximate analysis revealed a highly favourable nutritional profile consisting of 10.28% total soluble protein, 9.31% total soluble carbohydrates, and a characteristically low crude lipid content of 4.0%. Phytochemical screening confirmed the robust presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, though tannins and anthraquinones were undetected. Furthermore, the quantitative assay established a competitive Total Phenolic Content of 1.27 mg GAE/g of dry extract. The wild Auricularia polytricha ecotype native to Central India demonstrates a lean, nutrient-dense profile with potent antioxidant properties. These baseline findings strongly position this regionally adapted strain as a highly promising candidate for nutraceutical applications, functional food development, and future conservation or domestication programs.},
        keywords = {Auricularia polytricha, wild mushrooms, proximate analysis, phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, and functional foods.},
        month = {September},
        }