# Using Science and Technology to Unveil The Hidden Delicacy Terfezia arenaria, a Desert Truffle
## 3 Results and Discussion  
### Showcasing T. arenaria's Nutritional Value  
The diverse array of nutrients found in mushrooms and truffles, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, fibre, and water, contribute to their potential positive effect on the human diet. The average moisture of the _Terfezia arenaria_ samples was 77%, which is within the range reported for other desert truffles (Table 1) [(20; 21; 68)]. However, _T. arenaria_'s lipid concentration was slightly (2 to 8%) lower than that reported for other desert truffles [(20; 23; 68; 24)], but similar to that reported for the commercial edible mushroom and truffle species _A. bisporus, L. edodes, P. ostreatus_ and _T. melanosporum_[(23; 69; 70; 71; 72)]. Carbohydrates are the major nutrient category in edible mushrooms and truffles [(73)]. However, the concentrations determined in _T. arenaria_ were lower than those reported for other desert truffles [(20; 24; 68)]. _T. arenaria_'s energy potential (387 kcal per 100 g of dry weight) was similar to that reported for the other edible mushrooms and truffles (Table 1) [(21; 23; 69; 70)]. Furthermore, 18 mineral elements were identified in _T. arenaria_ samples (Table 2), with potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, magnesium and calcium being the most abundant. Eight trace elements (iron \(>\) zinc \(>\) copper \(>\) manganese \(>\) chromium \(>\) molybdenum \(>\) selenium \(>\) nickel) and two nonessential elements (aluminum and lithium) were also identified. These mineral elements are critical for human health, and their intake must be carefully balanced to avoid health problems. Lithium (Li, 37 \(\upmu\)g 100 g\({}^{-1}\) dw) and selenium (Se, 50 \(\upmu\)g 100 g\({}^{-1}\) dw) are of particular importance to human health, due to their proprieties, i.e., antiviral, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective effects, and can be used to treat several mental health conditions [(74; 63)]. Considering the dietary reference intakes (see Table S2), a balanced consumption of _T. arenaria_ (especially dry) could contribute to a proper intakeof these elements. In the case of lithium, this element is higher in _T. arenaria_ than the other edible mushrooms and truffles, which could be an interesting characteristic in the development of new plant-based meat products based on this desert truffle. Two trace elements with a detrimental health effect were identified in the _T. arenaria_, Arsenic (As, 10 \(\upmu\)g 100 g\({}^{-1}\) dw) and Barium (Ba, 32 \(\upmu\)g 100 g\({}^{-1}\) dw). The As value is similar to the values reported for _A. bisporus_, _L. edodes_ and _Pleurotus ostreatus_, while the Ba was lower than that reported for _A. bisporus_ and _L. edodes_[75; 76] (Table 2), and other edible mushroom species [77]. Furthermore, according to [PERSON] et al. (2021), the estimated daily intakes of these mushrooms, particularly _L. edodes_, are low and do not pose a health risk [76]. Also, considering the established dietary reference intakes for Arsenic (15 \(\upmu\)g kg\({}^{-1}\) body weight per day) and Barium (0.2 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) body weight per day), the contribution of _T. arenaria_ is residual when considering a consumption of 100 g of dry or fresh truffles (Table S2). The nutritional and mineral value of mushrooms is influenced by parameters such as the stage of development, the substrate where they grow, the geographic origins, and their genetic variability intra and interspecies [78]. _Terfezia arenaria_ samples were harvested from different locations with different dominant forest species and at different times during a three-week harvest season. Although _T. arenaria_ has a wider distribution area and fruits for a longer period, both its distribution area and fruiting period have been severely reduced by lower precipitation in autumn and spring (crucial for desert truffle fructification [9]) due to climate change and wildfires that destroy productive areas. However, when considering the nutritional values previously reported for other desert truffles, we consider that it is likely that the _T.