Mycochemical Profiling of Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull. Ex Fr.) Redhead Fruit Bodies Cultivated on Local Nigerian Lignocellulosic Substrates

Background and Objective: The demand for organic raw materials has increased significantly in the development of natural products, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified interest in the pharmaceutical, beverage, and cosmetic industries. This study aimed to profile aromatic myco-chemical compounds in Hypsizygus ulmarius sporophores cultivated on locally available Nigerian substrates. Materials and Methods: Mycelium of Hypsizygus ulmarius was cultured and maintained on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and sorghum grain spawn, then inoculated onto sugarcane bagasse (SB), Panicum maximum (PM) straw, and their combination (SB+PM; 1:1). Aromatic compounds were extracted using cold and hot extraction techniques and analyzed via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Proximate composition and heavy metals were determined using Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), respectively. All experimental data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the SPSS v25, and post hoc by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at p<0.05 while results were presented as mean±SD. Results: Sporophores cultivated on SB exhibited the largest cap size (7.14±0.84 cm) and weight (7.11±1.94 g), while those grown on PM had the longest stipe. Hot extraction yielded more volatile compounds than cold extraction. Octadecanoic acid methyl ester and Azulene were the most abundant compounds detected under cold and hot extraction methods, respectively. Heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb) were below permissible limits, whereas essential elements such as Fe and Zn showed significant variation (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of H. ulmarius as a valuable source of aromatic and nutritionally relevant compounds. Its commercial cultivation on local substrates could enhance the mushroom value chain and contribute to employment generation among Nigerian youth.