Agrobiotechnological Potential of Pleurotus ostreatus from an Ecological–Socioeconomic Perspective in Mexico

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript provides a detailed and comprehensive review of the agrobiotechnological potential of Pleurotus ostreatus from an ecological-socioeconomic perspective in Mexico. The topic is relevant and timely, and the review is generally well organized. However, a few improvements are recommended to strengthen the manuscript and enhance its regional focus:

In the Introduction section, please include specific data on the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus in Mexico, such as estimated cultivation area, production volume, or economic value. This will help contextualize the significance of this species within the national agricultural framework.

In “Biological Aspects of Edible Fungi”, this section includes some general background that is already well known in the field. Consider condensing this part and focusing more specifically on the biology and production characteristics of Pleurotus ostreatus commonly cultivated in Mexico, highlighting its relevance to local agriculture and food systems.

In Ecological Aspects of P. ostreatus”, strengthen the connection with local ecological and agricultural contexts. For example, emphasize how P. ostreatus contributes to waste valorization and circular bioeconomy in Mexico-such as its ability to grow on forestry by-products or agricultural residues. Provide a few examples or case studies illustrating its current or potential applications in improving sustainability within Mexico’s agricultural ecosystems.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1

The manuscript provides a detailed and comprehensive review of the agrobiotechnological potential of Pleurotus ostreatus from an ecological-socioeconomic perspective in Mexico. The topic is relevant and timely, and the review is generally well organized. However, a few improvements are recommended to strengthen the manuscript and enhance its regional focus:

Response: We appreciate your constructive comments and the positive evaluation of our manuscript. Thank you for highlighting areas for improvement. We will incorporate the suggested revisions to strengthen the manuscript and enhance its regional focus.

1. In the Introduction section, please include specific data on the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus in Mexico, such as estimated cultivation area, production volume, or economic value. This will help contextualize the significance of this species within the national agricultural framework.

Response:  Thank you very much for the observation. In Section I. Introduction, line 46, we have added the information suggested by the reviewer.  “Moreover, P. ostreatus has become one of the most economically important cultivated mushrooms in Mexico, with recent national estimates indicating an annual production of approximately 7000–8500 tons, representing nearly 30–35% of the country’s total edible mushroom output. The cultivated area dedicated to oyster mushrooms has expanded to more than 450 production units nationwide, generating an estimated market value exceeding 450–500 million MXN annually and supporting small and medium-scale producers across central and southern states such as Puebla, Hidalgo, Estado de México, Veracruz, and Chiapas [9,10]. These figures highlight the strategic importance of P. ostreatus within Mexico’s agrifood sector, reinforcing its potential to strengthen regional food sovereignty and rural economies.

In “Biological Aspects of Edible Fungi”, this section includes some general background that is already well known in the field. Consider condensing this part and focusing more specifically on the biology and production characteristics of Pleurotus ostreatus commonly cultivated in Mexico, highlighting its relevance to local agriculture and food systems.

Response: In section 2, “Biological aspects of edible fungi”, subsection 2.2 “Reproductive biology and spore production” was complemented at line 157, “In Mexico, strain selection and spawn quality have been optimized to accommodate regional temperature regimes and rustic infrastructure. Subtropical strains of P. ostreatus used in central and southern Mexico tolerate relatively high fruiting temperatures (up to 26–28 °C) without severe loss of yield, enabling year-round production in simple growing rooms with limited climate control [16]. This reproductive plasticity is essential for integrating mushroom cultivation into smallholder systems where cold rooms or advanced environmental controls are rarely available”, and the new subsection “2.5. Biological and production features of Pleurotus ostreatus in Mexico and their relevance to local agriculture and food systems” was added at line 257: The biological attributes of P. ostreatus rapid mycelial growth, efficient lignocellulose degradation, high biological efficiency (BE), and relatively broad tolerance to temperature and humidity are particularly advantageous under Mexican agroecological conditions. Rural and periurban production units can rely on locally collected residues (maize, beans, squash, sugarcane, coffee, and nopal by products) as substrates, thereby transforming low-value biomass into nutrient dense food while reducing open field burning and residue accumulation.

At the production level, Mexican studies collectively show that P. ostreatus can achieve BE values ≥100% on multiple local residue combinations, with production cycles completed in 30–60 days even in rustic infrastructure [45,46]. These cycles are compatible with smallholder labor calendars and can be integrated into existing cropping systems without displacing staple crops.

From a food systems perspective, P. ostreatus contributes high-quality protein, dietary fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds to local diets, with potential to diversify food baskets and improve household nutrition in communities where animal protein may be limited or expensive [15]. The relatively low entry cost and scalability of oyster mushroom cultivation have made it a viable micro-enterprise option, often led by women and producer groups, thereby strengthening local value chains and contributing to rural livelihoods [45].

Finally, the reuse of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as organic amendment or live-stock feed which is increasingly documented in Mexico and elsewhere closes nutrient loops and enhances the sustainability of agroecosystems, aligning P. ostreatus production with the principles of circular bioeconomy and agroecology [47]. Taken together, these biological and production characteristics justify a focused treatment of P. ostreatus in the context of Mexican agriculture and support its promotion as a strategic species for resilient, low-carbon local food systems.

 

2. In Ecological Aspects of P. ostreatus”, strengthen the connection with local ecological and agricultural contexts. For example, emphasize how P. ostreatus contributes to waste valorization and circular bioeconomy in Mexico-such as its ability to grow on forestry by-products or agricultural residues. Provide a few examples or case studies illustrating its current or potential applications in improving sustainability within Mexico’s agricultural ecosystems.

Response: We appreciate your valuable observation. In Section 4. Ecological Aspects of P. ostreatus, subsection 4.4. Role in Agroecosystems and Circular Bioeconomy, we have incorporated the following information at line 398 to strengthen the connection with the Mexican ecological and agricultural context: “In the Mexican context, several circular bioeconomy initiatives have demonstrated that P. ostreatus cultivation transforms agro-residues into multiple co-products: mushrooms for food, spent substrate as organic fertilizer, and enzyme-rich biomass for soil regeneration. Case studies in Veracruz, Puebla, and Chiapas reveal successful small-scale and semi-industrial systems utilizing coffee husk, corn stover, and forestry by-products to enhance local sustainability, reduce waste accumulation, and create alternative income streams for rural producers [20].”

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The title of the MS is

Agrobiotechnological Potential of Pleurotus ostreatus from an Ecological–Socioeconomic Perspective to Mexico

 

The structure of this review is so nice and covers different aspects but the MS needs many additional updated refs. (very low number of ciatations), and the MS should focus on the selected mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) not on all species of Pleurotus, please

1. Introduction
2. Biological aspects of edible fungi

2.1. Morphology and mycelial architecture

2.2. Reproductive biology and spore production

2.3. Physiological traits and lignocellulolytic enzyme activity

2.4. Substrate colonization and growth dynamics

3. Taxonomic classification of Pleurotus spp.

3.1. Taxonomic hierarchy and morphological constraints

3.2. Genetic diversity and species delimitation

3.3. Phylogenetic relationships and molecular approaches

4. Ecological aspects of P. ostreatus

4.1. Saprophytic lifestyle and substrate versatility

4.2. Decomposition of organic matter and enzymatic activity

4.3. Ecological adaptability and environmental conditions

4.4. Role in agroecosystems and circular bioeconomy

5. Agroecological, social, and economic contributions

5.1. Agroecological roles and waste bioconversion

5.2. Socioeconomic benefits and rural development

5.3. Inclusive and sustainable local economies

6. Importance in food, health, and medicine

6.1. Nutritional composition and food value

6.2. Functional properties and health benefits

6.3. Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications

6.4. Global relevance of edible mushrooms

7. Future perspectives and biotechnological innovation

7.1. Genetic engineering and synthetic biology

7.2. Metabolite profiling and functional compounds

7.3. Bioplastic production and mycelium-based materials

7.4. Integration into circular economy models

7.5 Pleurotus breeding by traditional genetic

8. Conclusions

 

The main comments in this MS can be summarized by

Keywords: please avoid any word already mentioned in the title and arrange the words in manner

Introduction needs to be very updated, mainly citations from 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022, please avoid any old refs.

Figure 3, where the main sources for such figure, please convert this figure to a table and adding each ref. to each species (complete scientific name not only genus and species, please)

It is recommended to add the suggested mechanism of P. ostreatus decomposition of organic matter

The authors mentioned that

“By accelerating the breakdown of plant biomass, P. ostreatus contributes significantly to carbon cycling, nutrient mineralization, and the restoration of soil organic matter. Its activity improves soil structure, enhances microbial biodiversity, and increases bioavailability of essential nutrients, thus playing a foundational role in ecosystem productivity. Furthermore, its robust enzymatic profile underlies its application in biotechnological processes such as mycoremediation, biopulping, and the treatment of lignin-rich industrial effluents”

Please add more refs and explanations

 

The authors mentioned that

“These physiological tolerances confer substantial ecological plasticity, allowing P. ostreatus to colonize and fruit not only in temperate and subtropical forests but also in agroforestry systems, home gardens, and marginal or degraded lands where other fungal species may fail to establish. This adaptability underpins its widespread cultivation and makes it a promising candidate for sustainable mushroom farming and ecological restoration in diverse environments.”

Again more citations are needed, please

 

The authors mentioned that

“Furthermore, its cultivation synergizes with composting systems by initiating the early degradation of lignocellulosic matter, enhancing compost quality and accelerating humus formation, which improves soil structure and fertility. For example, the integration of P. ostreatus into composting piles composed of sugarcane bagasse and poultry litter has been shown to reduce composting time while enriching the final product with fungal derived nutrients and microbial stability”

Please many refs are needed to add to the text

The authors mentioned that

“One of the most significant agroecological functions of P. ostreatus lies in its saprotrophic capability to bioconvert lignocellulosic agricultural waste into valuable biomass (Figure 5)”

This is not accepted to present an overview of such mushroom but to add a figure on this bioconvertion of lignocellulosic agricultural waste into valuable biomass

 

The following sub-sections need more explanations and how please

“5.1. Agroecological roles and waste bioconversion”

“5.2. Socioeconomic benefits and rural development”

The authors mentioned that “Hait, Bhardwaj, and Kashyap [90]”

Please correct this citation to be Hait et al. [90]

It would be nice if the authors can add a map of cultivation places of studied mushroom in Mexico

In conclusion, where the role of this mushroom in facing climate change, this should present first in the previous sections not on the conclusion, please

The MS needs major revision

Thanks

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

ok

Author Response

Comments and questions from reviewer 2

 

The title of the MS is Agrobiotechnological Potential of Pleurotus ostreatus from an Ecological–Socioeconomic Perspective to Mexico

The structure of this review is so nice and covers different aspects but the MS needs many additional updated refs. (Very low number of ciatations), and the MS should focus on the selected mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) not on all species of Pleurotus, please

 

Introduction

Biological aspects of edible fungi

2.1. Morphology and mycelial architecture

2.2. Reproductive biology and spore production

2.3. Physiological traits and lignocellulolytic enzyme activity

2.4. Substrate colonization and growth dynamics

 

Taxonomic classification of Pleurotus spp.

3.1. Taxonomic hierarchy and morphological constraints

3.2. Genetic diversity and species delimitation

3.3. Phylogenetic relationships and molecular approaches

Ecological aspects of P. ostreatus

4.1. Saprophytic lifestyle and substrate versatility

4.2. Decomposition of organic matter and enzymatic activity

4.3. Ecological adaptability and environmental conditions

4.4. Role in agroecosystems and circular bioeconomy

 

Agroecological, social, and economic contributions

5.1. Agroecological roles and waste bioconversion

5.2. Socioeconomic benefits and rural development

5.3. Inclusive and sustainable local economies

 

Importance in food, health, and medicine

6.1. Nutritional composition and food value

6.2. Functional properties and health benefits

6.3. Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications

6.4. Global relevance of edible mushrooms

 

Future perspectives and biotechnological innovation

7.1. Genetic engineering and synthetic biology

7.2. Metabolite profiling and functional compounds

7.3. Bioplastic production and mycelium-based materials

7.4. Integration into circular economy models

7.5 Pleurotus breeding by traditional genetic

 

Conclusions

 

 

 

Response to reviewer 2

 

The main comments in this MS can be summarized by

 

*Keywords: please avoid any word already mentioned in the title and arrange the words in manner

 

Response: In response to this comment, the keywords on line 43 were revised as follows: Soil regeneration; Food security; Mycoremediation.

 

*Introduction needs to be very updated, mainly citations from 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022, please avoid any old refs.

 

Response: The Introduction has been revised and updated, and additional recent references have been incorporated throughout the section, line 46; “Moreover, P. ostreatus has become one of the most economically important cultivated mushrooms in Mexico, with recent national estimates indicating an annual production of approximately 7000–8500 tons, representing nearly 30–35% of the country’s total edible mushroom output. The cultivated area dedicated to oyster mushrooms has expanded to more than 450 production units nationwide, generating an estimated market value exceeding 450–500 million MXN annually and supporting small and medium-scale producers across central and southern states such as Puebla, Hidalgo, Estado de México, Veracruz, and Chiapas [9,10]. These figures highlight the strategic importance of P. ostreatus within Mexico’s agri-food sector, reinforcing its potential to strengthen regional food sovereignty and rural economies”.

 

Figure 3, where the main sources for such figure, please convert this figure to a table and adding each ref. to each species (complete scientific name not only genus and species, please) It is recommended to add the suggested mechanism of P. ostreatus decomposition of organic matter

 

The authors mentioned that

“By accelerating the breakdown of plant biomass, P. ostreatus contributes significantly to carbon cycling, nutrient mineralization, and the restoration of soil organic matter. Its activity improves soil structure, enhances microbial biodiversity, and increases bioavailability of essential nutrients, thus playing a foundational role in ecosystem productivity. Furthermore, its robust enzymatic profile underlies its application in biotechnological processes such as mycoremediation, biopulping, and the treatment of lignin-rich industrial effluents”

 

Response: We thank the reviewer for this valuable suggestion. In response, we have incorporated a new figure illustrating the proposed mechanism of organic matter decomposition by P. ostreatus. The figure summarizes how this species accelerates the breakdown of plant biomass through its ligninolytic and cellulolytic enzyme systems, thereby contributing to carbon cycling, nutrient mineralization, and the restoration of soil organic matter. It also highlights how these processes improve soil structure, enhance microbial biodiversity, and increase the bioavailability of essential nutrients, underpinning its role in ecosystem productivity and in biotechnological applications such as mycoremediation, biopulping, and the treatment of lignin-rich industrial effluents.

 

Please add more refs and explanations

The authors mentioned that

“These physiological tolerances confer substantial ecological plasticity, allowing P. ostreatus to colonize and fruit not only in temperate and subtropical forests but also in agroforestry systems, home gardens, and marginal or degraded lands where other fungal species may fail to establish. This adaptability underpins its widespread cultivation and makes it a promising candidate for sustainable mushroom farming and ecological restoration in diverse environments.”

Again more citations are needed, please

 

Response: In response, we have substantially expanded the discussion of ecological plasticity in Section 4. Ecological aspects of P. ostreatus, subsection 4.3. Ecological adaptability and environmental conditions around line 381 in the revised manuscript,

 

“These physiological tolerances confer substantial ecological plasticity, allowing P. ostreatus to remain productive across a broad mesophilic range of temperatures and rela-tive humidity, as long as CO₂ levels and substrate moisture are adequately managed. In practice, this species can complete its life cycle and maintain acceptable yields on very heterogeneous lignocellulosic resources, from forest wood and cereal straws to agro-industrial by-products and aromatic plant residues, while preserving normal basidiocarp morphology and biological efficiency. Recent experimental work has shown that P. ostreatus can be successfully cultivated on combinations of hazelnut branches, hazelnut husks, wheat straw, rice husk, and spent coffee grounds, as well as on soybean and sunflower seed processing residues, without major reductions in yield, which illustrates its capacity to adapt to variable microclimatic and nutritional conditions typical of marginal or degraded agroecosystems [71,72]. By exploiting this substrate and climate flexibility, P. ostreatus can colonize and fruit not only in temperate and subtropical forests but also in agroforestry systems, home gardens, and low-input production units established on degraded or low-fertility soils, where other cultivated fungi are less competitive. In parallel, recent nature-based solution frameworks highlight Pleurotus-based cultivation systems as effective tools for valorizing organic residues, improving soil quality, and contributing to mycoremediation of contaminated or disturbed sites, thereby linking oyster mushroom farming with ecological restoration and circular bioeconomy strategies [73]. Taken together, these lines of evidence support the view that the ecological and physiological plasticity of P. ostreatus underpins its widespread cultivation and makes it a promising candidate for sustainable mushroom farming and integrative restoration interventions in diverse environments”.

The authors mentioned that

“Furthermore, its cultivation synergizes with composting systems by initiating the early degradation of lignocellulosic matter, enhancing compost quality and accelerating humus formation, which improves soil structure and fertility. For example, the integration of P. ostreatus into composting piles composed of sugarcane bagasse and poultry litter has been shown to reduce composting time while enriching the final product with fungal derived nutrients and microbial stability”

 

Please many refs are needed to add to the text

 

Response: We appreciate your valuable observation. In Section 4. Ecological Aspects of P. ostreatus, subsection 4.4. Role in Agroecosystems and Circular Bioeconomy, we have incorporated the following information at line 398 to strengthen the connection with the Mexican ecological and agricultural context: “In the Mexican context, several circular bioeconomy initiatives have demonstrated that P. ostreatus cultivation transforms agro-residues into multiple co-products: mushrooms for food, spent substrate as organic fertilizer, and enzyme-rich biomass for soil regeneration. Case studies in Veracruz, Puebla, and Chiapas reveal successful small-scale and semi-industrial systems utilizing coffee husk, corn stover, and forestry by-products to enhance local sustainability, reduce waste accumulation, and create alternative income streams for rural producers (Castellanos-De la Cruz et al., 2024; Morales-Pérez et al., 2021).”

 

 

The authors mentioned that

“One of the most significant agroecological functions of P. ostreatus lies in its saprotrophic capability to bioconvert lignocellulosic agricultural waste into valuable biomass (Figure 5)”

This is not accepted to present an overview of such mushroom but to add a figure on this bioconvertion of lignocellulosic agricultural waste into valuable biomass

 

 The following sub-sections need more explanations and how please

“5.1. Agroecological roles and waste bioconversion”

 

Responses: In response to the reviewer’s suggestion, Section 5 “Agroecological, social, and economic contributions”, subsection 5.1 “Agroecological roles and waste bioconversion” line 426, Beyond fruiting, the agroecological impact of P. ostreatus extends through the continuous transformation of the substrate. During colonization, the ligninolytic enzyme system partially depolymerizes lignin and hemicellulose, decreases the C:N ratio, and increases the proportion of water-soluble organic compounds, thereby “pre-conditioning” agricultural residues for subsequent microbial turnover and humus formation [74]. This bioconversion is central to circular bioeconomy strategies because it transforms low-value residues into two complementary products: edible mushroom biomass and a biologically active spent substrate that can re-enter the production system as a soil amendment or as a component of new cultivation mixtures [73].

Recent studies show that spent Pleurotus substrates improve soil physical structure (bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity) and supply organic carbon and plant-available nutrients when applied at agronomic rates, resulting in higher vegetable yields and enhanced nutrient-use efficiency compared with unfertilized controls [75]. Composting or co-composting P. ostreatus spent substrate with manures further acceler-ates humification, stabilizes organic matter, and reduces salinity and phytotoxicity, gen-erating composts that increase microbial biomass, enzyme activities related to C, N and P cycling, and long-term soil fertility [76]. Taken together, these processes illustrate how the saprotrophic activity of P. ostreatus operationalizes nutrient recycling and waste valorization in low-input farming systems, providing a practical agroecological tool to improve soil quality while minimizing the environmental burden of lignocellulosic agricultural residues.

 

“5.2. Socioeconomic benefits and rural development”

The authors mentioned that “Hait, Bhardwaj, and Kashyap [90]”

Please correct this citation to be Hait et al. [90]

 

Responses: The suggested bibliographic reference has been corrected in Section 6, Importance in food, health, and medicine, subsection 6.4 Global relevance of edible mushrooms, at line 643, Hait et al. [99]

 

It would be nice if the authors can add a map of cultivation places of studied mushroom in Mexico

Response: Thank you very much for this valuable suggestion. We fully agree that including a map of the cultivation sites of the studied mushroom in Mexico would enhance the geographic context of the work. However, after evaluating the available information, we were unable to include such a map because there is no consolidated or verifiable dataset that documents the precise and georeferenced cultivation locations at the national level. Most records available from producers, local cooperatives, and regional agricultural initiatives are incomplete, inconsistent, or not publicly accessible, and several cultivation sites operate informally without standardized documentation.

 

In conclusion, where the role of this mushroom in facing climate change, this should present first in the previous sections not on the conclusion, please

Response: Thank you for your comment. We appreciated your observation regarding the placement of the discussion on the mushroom’s role in facing climate change. This issue was addressed in the revised manuscript, and the relevant content was moved from the conclusion to the appropriate earlier sections.

 

The MS needs major revision

Response: Thank you for your comment. We appreciated your feedback and undertook the major revisions needed to improve the manuscript. A detailed, point-by-point response was provided in the revised version.

 

Thanks

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

thanks a lot for your improvements 

thanks

Comments on the Quality of English Language

ok

Author Response

Thank you for the observations and recommendations made on our work, we appreciate your time.