Abstract
Background and Objective: Macrofungi are diverse in their occurrence and topography. They play an inevitable role in agriculture, forestry, pharmacology and other industries. Studies on the diversity, occurrence, frequency distribution and nutritive values of the putative macrofungal genetic resources in the pristine locations of N.E. India holds the potential to attract the global economy and human welfare. The present survey was carried out to explore the less-explored macrofungal species diversity in nine undisturbed reserved forests of Dhemaji district, Assam. Materials and Methods: Mushroom identification was made using the standard taxonomy of fungi identification. Macrofungal proximate analysis for diverse categories was made using standard protocols. Ecological niche modelling of Hygrocybe splendidissima, macrofungi, enlisted in the IUCN red list of threatened species is made to identify the unexplored topography of the species and equally to report their utility in future conservation. Results: A total of 40 macrofungal species, belongs to 32 genera and 24 families were identified. Proximate nutritive values showed differences in the various edible mushrooms studied. The results of the analysis showed protein content, ranging from 10.65±0.03-42.76±0.021 g/100 g and carbohydrate content ranged from 27.67±0.03-70.09±0.028 g/100 g. Further ecological niche modelling of H. splendidissima, identified various forest areas in Northeast India that have suitable climatic conditions for reinforcement and in-situ conservation of the fungus. Conclusion: The present approach holds promises in exploiting the less explored and putative mushroom species of ecologically biodiverse regions like Northeast India.
