Asemota Uwem Kelly, Salisu Abubakar, Okereke Omoaruemike Ebele, Etim Veronica Archibong and Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie, Ethnomycology: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of the Indigenous Gbagyi People of , Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol., 2015, 3(3):1-7.

International Journal of Current Biotechnology ISSN: 2321 - 8371 Journal Homepage : http://ijcb.mainspringer.com

Ethnomycology: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of the Indigenous Gbagyi People of Nigeria

Asemota Uwem Kelly*, Salisu Abubakar, Okereke Omoaruemike Ebele, Etim Veronica Archibong and Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), P.M.B 186, Garki. . FCT. Nigeria.

ARTICLE INF O ABSTRACT

Structured questionnaires were prepared in Gbagyi language and administered to about 100 respondents randomly selected from twelve Gbagyi settlements in the Federal Capital Terri- Article History: tory, with the aid of interpreters who are indigenes. This study reveals that the Gbagyi people Received 09 March 2015 of Nigeria are mostly mycophagists. 93% of the respondents have used at least seven species Received in revised form 12 March 2015 of mushrooms as food. 92% consume edible mushrooms for taste and consider some species Accepted 25 March 2015 a great delicacy, 90% use mushrooms as a substitute for meat or fish, 20% for soup thicken- Available online 30 March 2015 ing, 40% still prefer to use mushrooms as medicine or as a component of medicinal prepara- tions believing they are cheaper and with less side effects than orthodox medicine. 2% con- sume mushrooms for cultural reasons. The findings of this investigation indicate that about 28 species of mushrooms are known and used by the Gbagyi people for food, medicine, commer- cial and cultural reasons. However, the younger the respondent the less the knowledge and Key words: use of mushrooms. Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum, Trametes versicolor, Fomes Edible and Medicinal mushrooms, fomentarius, Laetiporus sulphurus and various species of Polypores are among the mush- Ethnomycology, Gbagyi people, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. rooms used as medicine or components of herbal preparations in the treatment of various ailments including pile, eye problem, ulcers, cancer, tumors, fever, stomach ache, pregnancy related ailments, management of HIV/AIDS and also as immune system boosters.

Introduction is rich in expressions and terminologies that reflect their As an ethnic nationality, the Gbagyi people originated ethnomycological usage of mushrooms (Roger and from state in the Northern part of Nigeria. They Musa, 1989). The Gbagyi or Gbari people have known are one of the most widespread and numerous peoples and used mushrooms for food, medicine, commercial and with settlements in Plateau, Kaduna, , Kogi States cultural purposes from time immemorial. Among the and the Federal Capital Territory (Roger and Musa, 1989). Gbagyi, mushroom collection is mainly for household However, the Gbagyi people in this study are those in consumption, only a relatively small quantity is taken to the Federal Capital Territory. They are the original settlers market for sale and this is usually done by the women. of in Abuja, they are the most populated They are also sold as medicine or as components of and indigenous ethnic groups in the Federal Capital medicinal preparations in dried solid or powder form. For Territory and their major occupation is farming (Chigudu, example in Gwagwalada and Kwali markets, dried 2008; Mefor, 2008). The Gbagyi people believe that the mushrooms believed to be polypores are sold as medicine head is sacred so they put their load including their for the treatment of malaria and stomach problems. Fresh harvest after a mushroom-hunt on their shoulders instead edible mushrooms are sold in the Kwali and Gwagwalada of the head. The majority are illiterate and peasant and markets during the rainy season at very cheap rates. can hardly afford meat and fish, therefore there is a great Gbagyi people consider mushrooms a great delicacy, dependence on mushrooms as a replacement for meat sometimes more than one specie of mushroom is used at and fish. The rainy season runs from April to October the same time in making soup, stew or pepper soup, this and is about 1,500mm (59.1in). The vegetation falls within is in agreement with the observation of (Jonathan, 2002) Guinean forest savannah mosaic zone of the West African that in Nigerian villages exposed to natural vegetation, a subregion. However patches of rainforest occur in some variety of mushrooms are used in the preparation of a parts of the territory (wikipedia). These features make dish. In the preparation of some mushroom – herbal the region favourable for the growth of mushrooms. The medicines more than one specie of mushrooms could Gbagyi word for mushroom is ‘munu’, Gbagyi language also be used. Mushrooms are usually preserved by air- drying, sun-drying and smoking for use during the dry *Corresponding author. season when mushrooms become scarce. Email address: [email protected]

1 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 The ethnomycology of mushrooms by other tribes have Sampling Frame been reported by various authors in Nigeria. The target population was the Gbagyi also spelled as Ethnomycology of edible and medicinal mushrooms is Gbari or Gwarri people residing in various settlements in reported among the Igbos (Akpaja et al., 2003), Yorubas the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory. (Oso, 1975; Alabi 1994), Igalas (Ayodele et al., 2011) Binis About a hundred respondents were used for the study. (Akpaja et al.,2005), and Hausas (Okhuoya et al., 2010). A catalogue and identification of some wild edible Results and Discussion macrofungi occuring in Nigeria has also been carried out Information for this study was obtained from the use of (Nwordu et al., 2013). In other countries of the world structured questionnaires, interviews and personal ethnomycology of edible and medicinal mushrooms is communication with the indigenes, traditional medicine well documented. They include among others : Zambia practitioners and hawkers. This investigation shows that (Pegler and Pierce, 1980), Ghana (Obodai and Apetorghor, there are about twenty eight (28) mushrooms known 2010), Benin (Dekessel et al., 2002), Guatemala (De Leon, and used by Gbagyi people for food, medicine and 2002) and India (Purukayastha and Chandra, 1985). There culture. is a paucity of documented information on the indigenous use of mushrooms for food, medicine and other purposes The edible and medicinal mushrooms of the Gbagyi by the Gbagyi people of Nigeria. This work is therefore people of Nigeria are similar to those known and used an attempt to highlight and document the indigenous by Igala, Bini and Yoruba speaking people respectively knowledge and usage of mushrooms among this people. (Ayodele et al., 2011; Akpaja et al., 2005; Adhikar, 1999). It is also to encourage the cultivation and Personal communication with the indigenes indicates that commercialization of mushrooms to improve food security due to the high cost of meat and fish, more people are and go a long way in improving the general wellbeing of turning to mushrooms as an alternative source of the peasant and illiterate among them; especially the proteins. It was also observed that many of the indigenes women. This work also seeks to encourage further still resort to traditional medicine especially in cases investigation into the rich array of mushrooms in Gbagyi relating to fertility, antenatal and post natal care. They farmlands as a potential cheap source of antibacterial, attribute this to the fact that their traditional herbal antifungal and antiviral drugs. medicine is more natural, safer, more accessible and more economical, considering the cost of transportation to the Materials and Methods nearest hospital and also the cost of orthodox drugs Mushrooms were randomly collected from different (Dania, 2010). Gbagyi farmlands over three rainy seasons (April - October, 2010 ; April - October, 2011 and April - October, Gbagyi people name mushrooms based on their uses, 2012). Photographs of the mushrooms growing in their the substrate on which they grow, their growth pattern, natural habitat were taken before they were carefully and in most cases their physical features. However, many uprooted holding the stipe gently but firmly close to the of the indigenes have forgotten the names and uses of rhizomoph thus carrying some soil along with it to avoid the mushrooms especially in the younger age group. damaging the tissues and obstructing identification. The Figure 1 depicts the location of the Federal Capital mushroom samples were shown to the indigenes for Territory on the map of Nigeria, showing that it is an area identification by their local names. They were with a good climate and rich vegetation favourable for immediately taken to the Department of Biotechnology the growth of mushrooms. Plates 1-6 shows pictures of and Genetic Engineering, Sheda Science and Technology edible mushrooms known and utilized by Gbagyi people Complex for identification, storage and further studies. while Plate 1-21 shows pictures of medicinal mushrooms The mushrooms were identified using standard known and utilized by them. Some of the mushrooms are conventional methods, coloured picture books and potential sources of nutraceuticals as they can be used internet. Representative samples of some of mushrooms as food and medicine. The most frequently occuring were dried in the oven at 40°C and taken to the Mushroom mushroom among Gbagyi people is "Sumbo munu", Science Unit, Plant Pathology and Biotechnology Department, University of Benin, Benin for confirmation. Figure - 1: Map of Nigeria showing the location of Abuja in the centre of Nigeria. Coordinates: 9°42 03 N 7°292 Study Area 03 E (http://www.fct.gov.ng). Abuja lies between latitudes 8°25‘ N and 9°20‘ and Longitude 6°39‘. It is bordered on the North by , East by Nassarawa State, to the South west by Kogi State and to the West by . The Territory is located just north of River Niger and Benue River and geographically in the center of the country. It has a land mass of approximately 7,315km² of which the actual city occupies 275.3km². It is situated within the savannah with moderate climatic conditions. The peasant people of Gbagyi are traditionally farmers. Two farmland settlements of Gbagyi people from each of the Six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were randomly selected as study area. They include Sheda, Kilankwa 1 and 2 villages in , Mpape and Ushafa villages in Area Council, Pegi and Tika villages in Area Council, Gwako and Tungan-maje villages in Gwagwalada Area Council, Chegbeche and Rimba villages in Area Council, Garki and Dangaza villages in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. 2 PLATES 1-21: EDIBLE MUSHROOMS KNOWN AND UTILIZED BY GBAGYI PEOPLE (pictures taken by Asemota, U.K)

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 11. Lentinus squarrosulus KEY: Edible mushrooms 1. Pleurotus florida 12. Volvarealla volvocea 2. Pleurotus ostreatus 13. Termitomyces letuisti 3. Agaricus bisporus 14. Scientically unidentified 15. Panus fulvus 4. Auricularia auricular 16. Lepisda flacida 5. Boletus sp 21 17. Chlorophyllum molybdates 6. Daeldina concentric 18. Lactarius deliciosus 7. Boletus edulis 19. Daedalea elegans 8. Polyporus squamosus 20. Laetiporus sulphurus 9. Coprinus sp 21. Russula sp 10. Macrolepiota procera 3 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 TABLE - 1: SOME EDIBLE MUSHROOMS KNOWN AND UTILIZED BY GBAGYI PEOPLE

S.NO SCIENTIFIC LOCAL MEANING OF TIME OF HABITAT NAME NAME LOCAL NAMES APPEARANCE 1 Lentinus squarossulus Munu Mushrooms May - October Found on decaying Mont wood 2 Macrolepiota Sumbo munu Widespread May - October Usually found on wet procera mushroom soil under trees. 3 Volvariella volvacea Chugu munu Mushroom in April – October Found occuring in clusters clusters on open fields 4 Pleurotus ostreatus Yingba – Mushrooms May- November Found growing on yingba munu having Meat – like decaying or dead tree texture 5 Pleurotus Florida Yingba – Mushrooms May - November Found on rotting yingba munu having Meat – like hardwood texture 6 Auricular auricularia Kpunbwa Mushrooms May – October Found on decaying judae munu having ear-like wood. structure 7 Agaricus bisporus Pyise -ezhi Mushrooms June – October Found on fields in the munu Resembling fowl farmland egg 8 Daedina concentric Cheke munu Sweet mushroom April – October Found on fields in the farmland 9 Coprinus sp Kula munu Not known April - October Found on fields.

10 Termitomyces letestui Zachukakpa Mushrooms June - October Found in termite holes munu resembling a Dead man’sleg 11 Russula vesca Knyari munu Red mushrooms June - October Found in clusters on decaying and fallen tree. 12 Daedalea elegans Not known Not known April - October Fallen and decaying tree 13 Laetiporus sulphurus Chuari munu Not known April - October Found on dead wood

14 Boletus edulis Nakwo munu Mushrooms May - October Open grasslands and occuring on cow fields dung 15 Polyporus squamosus Not known Not known May - October Open grassland and fields

16 Chlorophyllum molybdates Not known Not known May - August Found on lawns and open fields 17 Pavus fulvus Not known Not known June - August Decaying trees

18 Lacterius deliciousus Kpebe munu Brings out a June - August Decaying trees breast- milk like substance when fresh 19 Lepisda flacida Not known Not known June - October Found on decaying trees

Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. 4 PLATES 1-6: PICTURES OF MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS (Pictures taken by Asemota, U.K).

1 2 3

4 5 6 KEY: Medicinal mushrooms 1. Ganoderma lucidum 3. Polypore sp 1 5. Trametes versicolor 2. Ganoderma applanatum 4. Polypore sp 2 6. Fomes fomentariu

TABLE - 2 : MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS KNOWN AND USED BY THE GBAGYI PEOPLE.

S/NO SCIENTIFIC GBAGYI HABITAT PREPARATION AND MEDICINAL NAME NAME PARTS USED USES 1 Ganoderma Gogwoi munu Found on felled Matured fruit bodies are Diarrhea, dysentery, lucidum decaying trees. steeped in hot boiling hypertension, water to make tea. anaemia and fertilityproblems in women. 2 Ganoderma Dnayi munu Found growing Boil dried slices in water Strenthens the applanatum(artist on dead or to make a strong tea mixed immune system, conk) dying with honey. treatment of hardwoods diabetes, piles, cancer and tumors. 3 Polypore spp1 Nyipekna - zhi Dead tree The powder is mixed with Treatment of piles munu trunks shea butter and is applied and fever. externally to treat piles. It can be heated and inhaled to treat fever. 4 Polyporus spp 2 Pari munu Found on dead Usually cooked with other Diarrhea,dysentery and decaying herbs and drunk as tea. and fertility wood problems in women 5 Fomes Napwi munu Mushroom As a component of other Fever fomentarius found on burnt herbal preparations firewood 6 Trametes Not known Not known Cook with other herbs and Fever, Health versicolor drink as tea strenthening

5 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 scientifically identified as Macrolepiota procera. ailments. "Kpebe munu", scientifically identified as "Sumbo munu" occurs from May to October on wet soil Lactarius deliciousus occurs on dead wood. When it is under large trees. It is very tasty with good flavour and fresh it brings out a breastmilk - like liquid. It can be is a common substitute for meat and fish and is also used eaten without cooking. The powder mixed with kwomi as a thickener in soups and stews. The mushroom (shea butter) is used in the treatment of ulcer and eye considered as one of the most delicious is "Chugu munu", problems. "Napwi munu" is identified as Fomes identified as Volvoriella volvocea, occurs in clusters at fomentarius. It is found occuring on burnt firewood and the root of banana trees from April to October. It is used is a medicinal mushroom. It was also found that "Etsu in making soups, stews and pepper soup. Pleurotus munu", not yet identified scientifically is now rare in the ostreatus and Pleurotus florida are all identified locally region but it is interesting to note that whenever the as "Yingba" – yingba and are very versatile. They are mushroom is found by a man it enhances his chances of delicious, tasty and meat – like in texture, they occur on been given a chieftaincy title. Other mushrooms which rotten and sometimes dead wood from May to November. were known and used but are now very rare and was not They are common substitutes of meat and fish in soups found in the course of this study includes "Ciju munu" and stews. They can be used as nutraceuticals as they which was usually found at the base of rotting trees are also used in the treatment of headaches, stomach during rainy season and is a good condiment in making ache and asthma. okra soup (Dania, 2010). Other mushrooms which seem to be going extinct are : "jeje munu", "lei munu" and Another mushroom used by the Gbagyis is "Kpunbwa "dwori jiji munu" (Dania, 2010). From personal munu", identified as Auricularia auricular - Judae. This communication with indigenes especially traditional mushroom derives it’s name from it’s resemblance to medicine practitioners it was found that medicinal human ear. It is very delicious and versatile. It is found mushrooms known and used by the Gbagyi do not have occuring on decaying wood from May to October. "Pyise any side effects. – zhe munu" is Agaricus bisporus and is used as a substitute for meat and fish in making soup. It has good Recommendation flavour and is very tasty. It derives it’s name from it’s From the information obtained in this investigation, it is resemblance to fowl eggs. "Chuari munu" identified as recommended that more research should be done on the Laetiporus sulphurus is useful in soup making as a ethnomycology of edible and medicinal mushrooms in thickener and as a substitute for meat and fish but if not the country as information on thse mushrooms are fast parboiled before use it could be poisonous. It can also getting extinct, since it is mostly people in the older age be used for all manner of stomach problems and is usually bracket that have this information. Cultivation of these found on dead wood and hence another good source of mushrooms especially the ones with nutraceutical nutraceuticals. "Zachukakpa munu" is identified as potentials should be done using Solid State Fermentation Termitomyces letestui. It derives it’s name from it’s and also submerged fermentation. There should also be resemblance to a dead man’s leg, it is usually found proper documentation of these as there is paucity of embedded in the soil and according to some mushroom documented information on most medicinal mushrooms hunters who are indigenes, digging out the mushroom in Nigeria. makes them feel as if they have dug out a dead man’s leg. Pepper soup made with this mushroom along with other Conclusion herbs cures malaria, fever and the dried powder is also In conclusion, mycophagy should be encouraged to effective in healing boils. It is large but rare. Boletusedulis promote food security and reduce the protein and mineral ("Nakwo munu") is usually found growing on cow dung deficiences prevalent in the diet of the people. This will from April to October. It is a condiment in various dishes. also go a long way to improve the economic wellbeing of "Gogwoi munu", Identified scientifically as Ganoderma the peasant people of Gbagyi. It is therefore pertinent to lucidum, occurs abundantly from April to November on conclude that Gbagyi farmlands hold a rich array of decaying or dead wood. Even though this mushroom is unexplored and untapped mushrooms which can be used generally considered inedible worldwide, some indigenes in the production of nouveu nutraceuticals, myco- claim it is edible, it’s tough texture not withstanding. This disinfectants and myco-coagulants. is because they are aware that it is highly medicinal especially among the older people. Among the Gbagyis, References it is popularly used for treating fertility problems in Akpaja, E.O., Isikhuemhen, O.S. and Okhuoya, J.A.,2003. women, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, anaemia, Ethnomycology andusage ofedible and mushrooms stomach ache, eye problems, cancer, tumors, management among the ofNigeria.International Journal of HIV/AIDS and also to boost immunity. It is known of Medicinal Mushrooms5: 313-319. that hot tea made from boiling the fungus or the dried powder mixed with pap is health strenthening. This is Akpaja, E.O ; Okhuoya, J.A and Ehwerheferere, B.A., not surprising as rural people long ago discovered that a 2005. Ethnomycology and Indigenous uses among the boiled tea from this mushroom is health strenthening with Bini Speaking people of Nigeria : a case study of anti-microbial and stimulatory properties. The dried form Aihuobabekun Community near Benin City, of it is usually sold in the market with it’s identity kept a Nigeria.International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms close secret by traditional medicine practitioners. "Dnari 7 : 373 – 374. munu", identified as Ganoderma applanatum is inedible but highly medicinal. It occurs on dead or decaying wood. Alabi, R.O., 1994. Mycology and Nigerian Culture : Past Strong tea made from it is known to boost the immune , Present andFuture, Proceeding. 1st Conference of system, it is therefore useful in the management of HIV African Mycology. Mauritius 10 – 15th June.705. patients. Children usually pick it and draw or write on them because it has a characteristic white surface. Adhikari, M.K., 1999. Wild Relatives of some arable "Nyipeknazhi munu", identified as Polypore spp is found mushrooms found in Nepal. In National Conference on on dead tree trunks. The powder mixed with shea butter is applied externally for the treatment of piles and stomach

Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. 6 Wild relatives of Cultivated Plants in Nepal, pp . 149 – 155. Kathmandu, Green Energy Mission. Ayodele, S.M, Akpaja EO, Adamu YM., 2011.Some Edible andMedicinal Mushroomsof Igala Land in Nigeria, their Socio-Cultural and Ethno-mycological Uses. Int J SciNature,2011; 2(3): 473-476.

Chigudu Tanko Theophilus, 2008. A brief History of the Gbagyi Speaking People, an unpublished Article.

Dania, A.T., 2010. Ethnomycology among the Akoko – of Edo State Nigeria, M.SC Project.

De Kessel, A ; Codjia, J.T.C and Yorou, S.N., 2002. Guide des Champignons Comestibles du Benin.Cotonou, Republique du Benin, Jardin Botanique National de Beigique et centre international d’Eco-development integre (CECODI. IMPR. COCO – Multimedia. Pp. 275).

De Leon, R., 2002. Cultivated Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms in Guatemala (available at www.mushroomworld.com). Jonathan, S.J., 2002. Vegetative growth requirements and and antimicrobial activities of some higher fungi in Nigeria .Ph.D thesis university of Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria.pp251.

Mefor, Law, 2008. ”Is FCT truly a federal zone?” Daily Independent (Nigeria: Independent Newspapers Limited (Lagos), via odili.net). Retrieved 2009-12-20. Nwordu, M.E; Isu, R.N; Ogbadu, G.H., 2013. Catalogue and Identification of Some Wild Edible Macro-fungi in Nigeria.Online international journal of Food Science . (http://www.onlineresearchjournals.org.) OIJFS.

Obodai, M and Apetorghor, M., 2001. An ethnobotanical Study of Mushroom germplasm and its domestication in the Bia Biosphere Reserve of Ghana.Report presented to UNESCO throughEnvironmental Protection Agency of Ghana. Accra. Okhuoya, JA; Akpaja, EO; Osenwegie, OO; Oghenekaro, AO; Ihayere,C., 2010. Nigerian Mushrooms: Underutilized non-wood Resources. J. Appli.sci.Environ.Manage. 14(1) 43 – 54. Oso, A (1975 ) Mushrooms and the of Nigeria mycologia 67 (2) : 311- 319. Pegler, D.N and Piearce, G.D., 1980. The Edible Mushrooms of Zambia. Kew Bulletin ; 35 : 475 - 491. Purukayastha, R.P. and A. Chandra, 1985. Manual of Indian edible mushrooms. Jagendra Book Agency, New Delhi, India. Roger Blench and Musa Doma, 1989. A Dictionary of the Gbari language. Draft only. Wikipedia, the Free encyclopedia (http://www.fct.gov. ng/)

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