The Consumption Levels and Varieties of Mushrooms Consumed In The Region of Aegean

Abstract

Naturally grovving mushroom consumption states of 200 households from Bergama County and 5 villages of İzmir vvere surveyed. In this region 3 types o f mushrooms; Clavaria salm, Agaricus campes, Marchella esculanta were naturally growing during March - April and October - December. 44 % of households in tovm and 78 % of households in the villages consume these mushrooms. Consumption levels per person per month varies from 170 gram to 2727 grams; average consumption is 1448 grams. Light and moderate symptoms of poisoining were observed in 54.6 % of households from tovm and 23.0 % from villages af ter the ingestion of naturally growing mushrooms. Since mushrooms are considered as a tasty and nutritious foods, it may be recommended that the types which are suited to the region should be culturally produced and its con* sumption should be encouraged.