What is Roen olmi?

Feb. 29, 2024

Two researchers in Goa have said that they synthesised gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species that is widely eaten as a delicacy in the coastal state.

About Roen olmi:

  • It is a mushroom of the Termitomyces species.
  • It grows on termite hills and is locally known as ‘roen olmi’ in Goa.
  • It is an edible wild mushroom popular among Goans and consumed during the monsoons.
  • These mushrooms have no independent existence. They grow only in association with termites. 
  • Habitat: It is endemic to the Western Ghats, where the thick forest cover and high humidity provide an ideal breeding ground.
  • Ecological significance: It plays a very important role as a powerful biodegrading fungus in forest and grassland ecosystems converting 50% of dead plant material on the ground into rich soil.
  • In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties.
  • Additionally, Termito-myces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa.
  • Termitomyces species possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

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