Numerous species of wild growing mushrooms are widely consumed as a delicacy in central Asia and eastern Europe. Credible evaluation of their nutritional value has so far been limited due to fragmentary knowledge of their composition and mainly due to the very limited information on the availability of their constituents. An attempt is made to determine the proximates, nutritive value and elemental composition of Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. a wood-inhabiting wild macro fungi, grown in two distinct geographical regions ARF (Agumbe Reserve Forest) and SWLS (Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary) was analyzed by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results of the proximate analysis showed both samples were rich in carbohydrates, protein and crude fiber and low in ash content and least content of fat. Among macronutrients the ARF sample recorded maximum values of sodium, potassium and magnesium where as the phosphorus and calcium were found to be same. The average values of manganese, copper and zinc were more in SWLS sample compared to ARF sample. The heavy metals lead and cadmium were found to be absent. The ARF sample showed higher amount of basic composition and macronutrients compared to the SWLS sample. The ARF is an evergreen forest with rich humus; high rain fall favors the luxurious growth of macro fungi while the SWLS is a dry deciduous forest.
