The researchers, Prof. Dr. Ali Abdul-Wahed Abdul-Hussein and Assistant Professor Kawkab Ali Hussain from the Department of Chemistry at the College of Education for Pure Sciences - University of Basra published a paper entitled

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bioactive Compounds of Iraqi Truffle Terfezia claveryi (Ascomycetes), Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles, and Appraisal of Its Biological Activities

(Mass spectrometry-gas chromatography analysis of the biologically active compounds of Iraqi truffles Terfezia claveryi (Ascomycetes), preparation of silver nanoparticles and evaluation of their biological activity)

In: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

Impact factor: 1.423

Publisher: Begell House Inc.

It is included in the container: Clarvet and Scopus

Summary

The truffle mushroom is one of the seasonal fungi that grows in the desert after rain and is used as food in Iraq and the Arab world. It contains 9% protein, 13% starch, and 1% fat. It also contains minerals similar to those contained in the human body, such as phosphorous, sodium, calcium and potassium. It also contains vitamin "B1, B2" and is rich in vitamin A. It also contains an amount of nitrogen besides carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, which makes its composition similar to that of meat. In this study, microwave extraction technique was used for the purpose of extracting the active chemical components using water and hexane solvents, as well as preparing nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of truffle mushrooms. The chemical components of the aqueous and hexane extract were analyzed using gas chromatography technique, and it showed a difference in the chemical components. The nanoparticles were also diagnosed using the scanning electron microscope technique, and it clearly showed the formation of spherical nanoparticles of different sizes. The effectiveness of the aqueous extract and hexane and nanoparticles as antioxidants, bacteria and cancer (liver cancer) was evaluated, where the hexane extract showed better activity than the aqueous extract and nanoparticles. The results of the study suggest the importance of eating truffles with regular meals to support the immune system and prevent liver diseases. Medical applications of hexane extract for truffle mushrooms may also be developed in the future.