Abstract
Fungi, namely white-rot fungi, growing on lignocellulosic substrates such as wood and straw secrete a mixture of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes that depolymerize the substrate components. Biocon version of lignocellulosic agro-residues through mushroom cultivation offers the potential for con verting these residues into protein-rich palatable food, reducing the environmental impact of the wastes. The growth of four strains of the mushroom Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. in four different substrates was studied. The mushrooms were cultivated in particulate sawdust substrates enclosed in autoclavable plastic bags. This 'space bag' production of biomass offers foreshortened production cycles. The fructification phase occurred during 10 days after a spawn-run time of 90 days compared with 18 months to two years for traditional methods. Mushroom production depended on strain, varying from 12.5% to 15.0%. Biological efficiency comprised between 42.3% and 59.5%. The fruiting bodies were analyzed to determine their nutritional value. They had high contents of protein and total carbohydrates but low contents of lipids and nucleic acids. L. edodes has low fiber content com pared with other species. Cellulose degradation was similar for all the strains which had produced carpophores. Lignin degradation comprised between 40.7% and 59.10%.
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