Studies on the detection of genetic variation of commercially cultivated Mushroom species using RAPD markers

Abstract

Edible mushrooms are nutritionally endowed fungi (mostly Basidiomycetes) that grow naturally. Besides containing high protein, vitamins, fibers and low calories, it also has many medicinal properties. In this study, seven samples of mushrooms which are commercially cultivated were screened for phytochemicals such as Cardiac glycosides, Anthraquinones, Terpenoids, Proteins, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins, Lignins and Phenol. All the samples showed a positive results for Terpenoids and Proteins and showed a negative results for Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Tannins, Lignins and Phenol. Most of the samples were found to be positive for Cardiac glycosides and Saponins. In this study, genomic DNA was extracted from seven samples of mushroom and molecular characterization was taken up using ten decamer oligo-nucleotides as single primers in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA fingerprinting, dendrogram analysis and genetic similarity matrix were estimated, revealing variations between selected seven samples of mushrooms. From the analyzed samples, White beach, Shimeji and Chinese shimeji were found to be most closely related. The described approach holds great promise for further analyses and gives support to discrimination as well as for conservation of genetic resources.