International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278-3202 9 1 2020 02 10 Edible mushrooms in Tanzania: enlightening human health and improved livelihood 33 39 EN Torres Hannah 1 Biology Department, Negros Oriental State University, Main Campus, Kagawasan Avenue, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines Kinamot-Bantoto Venus 2 Biology Department, Negros Oriental State University, Main Campus, Kagawasan Avenue, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines Subhranshu Shekhar 1 ITM University Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India Chitranshu Pandey 2 R&D, MRD Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Pallavi Sharma 3 R&D, MRD Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Shashikala Mishra 4 Department of Chemistry, Sacred Heart Degree College, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India Jebarubi E. 1 St. Xavier′s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India Leon Stephan Raj T. 2 Plant Molecular Biology Research Unit, Department of Botany, St. Xavier′s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India Vasudha Lingampally 1 Department of Zoology, Nizam College (A), Osmania University, Hyderabad,Telangana, India V.R. Solanki 2 Department of Zoology, Nizam College (A), Osmania University, Hyderabad,Telangana, India D.L. Anuradha 3 Department of Zoology, Nizam College (A), Osmania University, Hyderabad,Telangana, India Sabita Raja S. 4 Department of Zoology, Nizam College (A), Osmania University, Hyderabad,Telangana, India Chandan Kumar Pati 1 Department of Botany, Saldiha College (Affiliated to Bankura university), Saldiha-722 173, Bankura, West Bengal, India Amit Kumar 1 Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra, Haryana, India Sarita Rana 2 Department of Zoology, Institute of Integrated and Honours Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India Juma M. Hussein 1 Department of Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden and Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Donatha D. Tibuhwa 2 Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania > Review Paper 2019 9 9 2020 02 10 Mushrooms have become more popular due to their nutraceuticals potential contributes to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and antiviral potential. The emergence of drug-resistant has attracted more studies on the edible mushroom as an alternative source of antibiotics to overcome drug resistance challenges. Apart from their pharmacological significance, edible mushrooms have good taste and are nutritious with high protein and fibre contents. They contain all essential amino and fatty acids vital to humans. They are cholesterol-free, low in calories, and fat. Besides their nutritional potential, research describes them as therapeutic foods, with the ability to inhibit ailments such as high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and cancer. Mushroom extracts contain bioactive constituents such as phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, lactones, sterols, glycoproteins and polysaccharides. Their biological effectiveness has been traditionally exploited to boost immunity, improve the health of long ill people, prescribed as a tonic for gastro-intestinal ailments, relieving stomach pains, constipation, stomach ulcers and used as skin ointment to treat skin diseases. Furthermore, they have been used to enhance the quick recovery of childbirth mothers and improve milk production to breastfeeding mothers. The present review is aimto appraise traditional uses, nutritional significance and the nutraceutical value of edible mushrooms of Tanzania for the improvement of human health and livelihood. Copyright@ International Science Community Association