S.S. Kokitkar, R.D. Nanekar, A.S. Singh, A.K. Gawai, P.B. Tripathi, S.R. Ambastha and B.R. Suryawanshi
Abstract
Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) cultivation offers a promising approach for converting agricultural waste rich in lignocellulose into a protein-rich food source with high nutritional value. This study investigated the use of locally available agricultural waste, such as wheat straw, corn husk, rice straw, and a 50:50 combination of rice and soybean straw, as substrates for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms. The primary objectives were to determine the potential of each substrate and combination of substrates on mushroom yield, biological efficiency, rate of mycelial colonization, and time to fruiting. Moreover, nutritional and phytochemical analyses were also carried out. The results revealed that corn husks were the most effective substrate, promoting the fastest mycelial colonization and pinhead formation, and yielding the highest overall yield. The combination of rice and soy straw also showed encouraging results, followed by individual substrates. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of valuable compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, emphasizing their potential as functional foods. This study highlights the efficacy of using agro-waste, particularly corn husks, and the use of a combination of substrates for viable mushroom production, offering a viable example of waste-to-resource strategies in agriculture.