Consumption of wild growing mushrooms has been preferred to eating of cultivated fungi in many countries of central and Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the nutritional value of wild growing mushrooms is limited. The present study reports the effects of trophism on mushrooms nutritional and nutraceutical potential. In vitro antioxidant properties of five saprotrophic (Calvatia utriformis, Clitopilus prunulus, Lycoperdon echinatum, Lyophyllum decastes, Macrolepiota excoriata) and five mycorrhizal (Boletus erythropus, Boletus fragrans, Hygrophorus pustulatus, Russula cyanoxantha, Russula olivacea) wild edible mushrooms were accessed and compared to individual compounds identified by chromatographic techniques. Mycorrhizal species revealed higher sugars concentration (16-42 g/100 g dw) than the saprotrophic mushrooms (0.4-15 g/100 g). Furthermore, fructose was found only in mycorrhizal species (0.2-2 g/100 g). The saprotrophic Lyophyllum decastes, and the mycorrhizal species Boletus erythropus and Boletus fragrans gave the highest antioxidant potential, mainly due to the contribution of polar antioxidants such as phenolics and sugars. The bioactive compounds found in wild mushrooms give scientific evidence to traditional edible and medicinal uses of these species.
