RESUMO
Huge volumes of organic matter are produced on earth via photosynthesis and their disposal is a serious threat to the environment and public health all over the world. Nevertheless, these agricultural wastes possess a chemical composition conducive to mushroom cultivation. Lignocellulosic wastes, comprising cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, offer vital nutrients for mushroom growth. Oyster mushrooms are well known for their unique ability to degrade lignocellulosic materials, making them valuable contributors to the process of organic waste decomposition and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Employing agricultural by-products as a substrate for mushroom cultivation presents a sustainable approach to waste reduction and the production of nutritionally enriched food. Cultivating oyster mushrooms, presents an economically feasible and environment friendly method of transforming waste materials into highly nutritious food. These edible mushrooms are widely grown worldwide, comprising around 27 percent of the total global production. Oyster cultivation has rapidly increased in Asia due to its low production technology, easy availability of substrates, temperature tolerance and high yield capacity. Oyster mushrooms are sought after as a functional food due to their appealing taste, aroma, flavor, nutritional benefits and medicinal properties. They contain high levels of protein, fiber, vitamins B complex, C and D2, as well as minerals like potassium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc and essential amino acids. These mushrooms are versatile, as they thrive in both tropical and temperate regions without requiring complex controlled environmental conditions for growth. This review article provides insights into the cultivation aspects of important oyster species including a novel species called Hypsizygus ulmarius. Oyster mushroom cultivation is rapidly growing in developing countries, where it can contribute to food security for the world's growing population, which is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
RESUMO
Hypsizygus ulmarius is gaining popularity because of high yield, quality parameters, therapeutic values and medically it may be considered as good source of mycochemicals that can be utilized in pharmaceutical medicines and food additives. Cultivation technology to grow H. ulmarius from its culture to harvest was studied using locally available substrates and materials. Studies on commercial cultivation of H. ulmarius revealed that wheat straw substrate supplemented with 10.0% cotton seed hull spawned with bajra grain spawn @ 5.0% gave highest yield (8994.00 g/4 kg substrate) and biological efficiency (244.97%). While the lowest yield (6538.00 g/4 kg substrate) and biological efficiency (163.30%) was recorded in wheat straw alone where no supplement was added. The pH of all the substrates used in mushroom production was found to decrease while EC was recorded to increase in the substrates with the progression of crop duration.