Libyan Truffles: ('hemical Composition and Toxicity

Abstract

Representative samples of wild truffles Terfezia boudieri Chatin obtained from the local market in Libya were analysed. The analysis showed that tubers could be considered nutritionally a good source for protein, iron, potassium, calcium and sodium. The results indicated that truffle protein was of high quality, since it contained 9 essential amino acids. They totalled to about 6”o of dry truffles. Toxic compounds of the following groups were found to be absent: anthraquinone: cardiac glycosides; cathartic resin and cyanogenetic glucosides.