Search Results (29)

Mushroom production is a sustainable practice but requires improvements, such as in Lentinula edodes (Berk) Pegler cultivation, which has high water and labor demands. In this context, this study proposed replacing the traditional primordia induction method by submersion with a water injection method. Two primordia induction methods (submersion and injection) and two cultivation block formats were compared: rectangular cube (2 kg) and cylindrical (3.5 kg). The substrate, composed of eucalyptus sawdust (72%), wheat bran (12.5%), rice bran (12.5%), CaCO₃ (1%), and CaSO₄ (2%), was inoculated with strain LED 19/11 and incubated for 80 days at 26 ± 5 °C and 85 ± 15% humidity. After this period, the blocks were washed and transferred to the production environment. Fruiting was induced either by submersion or water injection, and production was evaluated over four harvest flushes. The 2 kg blocks had higher yields with submersion (16.62%), while the 3.5 kg blocks responded better to injection (13.01%), showing more homogeneous production. Increasing the substrate quantity contributes to greater harvest stability across production cycles. Water injections proved to be a viable alternative, reducing handling and facilitating large-scale production. The use of this technique demonstrates great importance in reducing water use and also the need for labor in cultivation. Full article

In the artificial cultivation of Morchella sextelata (Black Morel), exogenous nutrient bags (ENBs) commonly employ wheat grains as the primary substrate raw material. However, this approach is costly and runs counter to the “non-grain” development direction advocated by the edible mushroom industry. Under controlled field conditions, twelve self-made formulations were set up and compared with a conventional market formulation to comprehensively analyze their impacts on the agronomic traits, yield, soil physicochemical properties, and economic benefits of M. sextelata fruiting bodies. The research findings indicate that the nutrient bag formulations have a significant effect on soil available nutrients. Specifically, the contents of alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK) exhibit a significantly negative correlation with M. sextelata yield (r = −0.60, p < 0.05; r = −0.72, p < 0.01, respectively). Among all the treatment groups, the KY1 formulation (comprising 30% wheat grains, 5% rice bran, 60% corncobs, 2% rice husks, 1% lime, and 1% gypsum) achieved the highest yield of 915.13 kg per 667 m², which was 16.1% higher than that of the control group. The net economic benefit per unit area (667 m²) reached CNY 75,282.15, representing a 20.7% increase compared to the traditional wheat grains-based formulation. In conclusion, partially substituting wheat grains with rice bran in ENBs can not only reduce reliance on staple food resources but also enhance yield and economic efficiency. Due to the differences in cultivated strains and environmental conditions, the impact on morel yield is substantial; therefore, the results of this study need further validation through pilot trials. Full article

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), spent coffee grounds from espresso production (SCG), faba bean harvest residues (FBR), pistachio shells (PS) wheat straw (WS) (control) agro-industrial waste were combined in different ratios, with or without supplements (wheat bran, soybean flour), to create novel substrates for Pleurotus columbinus growth. The impact of the substrates on the mycelial growth rate (Kr), biomass production, laccase, total cellulases and carbohydrate synthesis, along with the C and N consumption by P. columbinus, were examined in fully colonized substrates. The incubation period, earliness and biological efficiency (B.E.) (%) were also determined. Then, the intracellular polysaccharide (ICP) contents of the P. columbinus produced mushrooms were evaluated in the most promising substrates. P. columbinus was grown successfully in a wide range of C/N ratios of substrates and the fastest Kr (7.6 mm/d) was detected on the 70 SMS-30 FBR, without supplements, whereas substrates consisting of SCG enhanced biomass production (700.0–803.7 mg/g d.w.). SMS and PS or SCG led to the shortest incubation and earliness period of P. columbinus. The C content was reduced and the N content was substantially increased in all the colonized substrates. The 70 SMS-30 FBR and 80 SMS considerably enhanced the laccase production (up to 59,933.4 U/g d.w.) and substrates consisting of PS promoted total cellulases activities. Greater amounts of carbohydrates (3.8–17.4 mg/g d.w.) than that in the control were recorded for all the substrates. The combination of SMS and SCG or WS led to the highest B.E. values (59.3–87.1%) and ICP amounts (34.7–45.9%, w/w), regardless of the supplement addition. These findings support the effective utilization of agro-industrial waste in P. columbinus cultivation, producing high-value-added compounds and supporting mushroom growth. Full article

This study evaluated six agrobyproducts (oak, jujube, apple, pear, peach, black locust) as alternative substrates for Lentinula edodes cultivation to mitigate oak dependency. Twelve substrate formulations were tested, including individual and mixed sawdust combinations. Results demonstrated successful mycelial colonization across all treatments, with treatment PAS (78% pear sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1.5% gypsum, and 0.5% lime) exhibiting the fastest mycelial growth (4.70 mm/day) and full colonization in 105 days. Treatment BLS (78% black locust sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1.5% gypsum, and 0.5% lime) achieved the highest biological efficiency (97.26%) and productivity (0.85 kg/bag). Nutrient analysis revealed substrate-specific enhancements: PAS maximized vitamin C (4.88 mg/100 g) and iron, while PAS + OS (39% peach sawdust, 39% oak sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1.5% gypsum, and 0.5% lime) elevated protein (3.88%), phosphorus, and zinc. PCA highlighted distinct nutritional profiles for BLS- and jujube-based mushrooms. Correlation analyses identified the third (r = 0.838) and fourth flushes (r = 0.922) as critical for total yield, with selenium and zinc significantly linked to growth rates. Black locust and peach substrates outperformed or complemented oak, offering sustainable alternatives. These findings underscore the potential of agrowaste utilization to reduce ecological strain while maintaining high yields and nutritional quality, aligning with global agricultural sustainability goals. Full article

This study investigates selenium (Se) biofortification in four strains of the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus using Se-enriched substrates to assess Se uptake, distribution, and its impact on yield. Experimental substrates included lignocellulosic materials fortified with Se (0, 2, 6, and 18 µg/g) in the form of sodium selenite. Se accumulation varied by strain, with M9521 showing the highest bioaccumulation efficiency, particularly for an unknown Se compound, suggesting unique metabolic pathways. Other strains predominantly accumulated selenomethionine. The bioconcentration factor was highest at 6 µg/g Se, indicating optimal efficiency at this level. Moderate Se supplementation (2–6 µg/g) improved yield, though time to harvest was affected by Se levels in some strains. Substrate composition influenced Se uptake, with wheat bran yielding the highest Se content and soybean hulls maximizing biological efficiency. A strong correlation between C/N and Se content was observed. Se distribution was higher in outer basidiocarp layers, and light intensity during cultivation enhanced Se accumulation. Se uptake decreased with subsequent flushes at medium and high supplementation levels, while substrates maintained the same bioavailable Se. The results highlight the potential of Se-enriched Hericium erinaceus as a functional food source and the role of substrate and cultivation conditions in optimizing Se content. Full article

Agrocybe cylindracea is an important mushroom highly valued as a functional food for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Many bioactive extracts from A. cylindracea have been found to exhibit antitumor and antioxidant activities. This research investigated the distinct substrates that affected the physicochemical and biocomponent properties and biological efficiency of A. cylindracea. The substrates used were 48% giant juncao grass mixed with 30% Dicranopteris dichotoma grasses, 48% wasted tea leaves mixed with 30% sawdust, and 78% cottonseed hulls, all supplemented with 20% wheat bran and 2% lime. The findings indicated that A. cylindracea grown in the cotton seed hulls had a significant biological efficiency, at 35.8%, followed by the GD + DD (31.5%) and WTL + SD (28.7%). The ash content peaked in the fruiting bodies grown on giant juncao grass and D. dichotoma, while the fat content was highest in those grown on giant juncao grass and D. dichotoma, followed by wasted tea leaves and sawdust. The protein content was significantly higher in the fruiting bodies cultivated on wasted tea leaves and sawdust, followed by cottonseed hulls. The carbon dioxide emissions varied across substrates, with the highest emissions observed during the maturity stage of the fruiting bodies grown on giant juncao grass with D. dichotoma and wasted tea leaves and sawdust. Emissions decreased sharply 110 days after cultivation. Essential metabolites, such as dopamine and caffeine, were enriched in the fruiting bodies grown on wasted tea leaves, sawdust, and cottonseed hulls. In contrast, tyramine and uracil were enriched in those grown on cottonseed hulls. Full article

Agricultural residues, including Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and roots of (hydroponic) leafy vegetables (RLV), were tested in various proportions as substrates in new P. ostreatus cultivations, where wheat straw was the control. The impact of SMS and RLV was first evaluated by the mycelial growth rate (Kr, mm/day). Afterwards, mushroom cultivation was conducted in bags, where production characteristics like earliness (the time from substrate inoculation to first harvest) and biological efficiency (BE %, the ratio of fresh mushroom weight to dry substrate weight × 100) were examined. The study also evaluated mushroom quality, nutritional composition and bioactive content. The highest intra-cellular polysaccharide (IPS) value (50.93%, w/w) was observed in the substrate containing SMS 90%, while combining SMS with RLV resulted in higher IPS values compared to mixtures that also included wheat bran (WB) and soybean flour (SF). Furthermore, the use of RLV reduced the fat content compared to the control substrate, except in the case of the SMS 50%–RLV 40% substrate, where the highest fat content was observed in the produced mushrooms (4.68% w/w). Additionally, the protein content increased with the use of RLV. The highest triterpene content was found in the SMS 90%–RLV 10% (11.52 ursolic acid mg/g d.w.). However, the control substrate exhibited the fastest Kr (6.5 mm/d), as well as the highest BE (87.8%) and total phenolic compound value (30.31 mg GAE/g d.w.). Significant antioxidant activity was observed in all extracts, while the total flavonoid content was low. Glucose was the dominant monosaccharide (over 51.5%, w/w), and linoleic acid (18:2; over 57.05%, w/w) was the primary fatty acid across all mushrooms. This study also enhances our knowledge by which SMS and RLV influence the NFE2L2/HMOX-1 molecular pathway, thereby affecting specific antioxidant-related genes. These effects were observed through the impact of P. ostreatus protein and carbohydrate extracts on LPS-challenged THP-1-derived macrophages. A positive impact on the gene expression of HMOX1, CAT and NFE2L2 during incubation with the aforementioned samples was observed. These findings support the sustainable use of agricultural by-products in mushroom cultivation, offering an environmentally friendly approach while producing valuable products like mushrooms. Full article

Mycelium-based composites are a promising avenue for innovating sustainable materials from the hyphae of fungi. This study focuses on the use of fibers from four local fungal species, namely, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr. Singer), Auricularia auricula-judae, and Schizophyllum commune Fr., to produce mycelium-based composites from water hyacinth. An inoculum of each of the mushroom species was cultivated on PDA medium at 25 and 30 °C to determine the optimal temperature based on the growth rate. The obtained optimal condition was used to grow the fungi on water hyacinth (WH) mixed with rice bran in different proportions (100% WH, 70% WH, and 50% WH) with various numbers of fungal inocula (10, 20, and 30 plugs). The obtained composites were coated with a solution of either starch, chitosan, or epoxy resin. Schizophyllum commune Fr. exhibited the highest growth rate and fiber density, with a growth rate of 1.45 ± 1.92 mm/day at 30 °C. Ten inocula of Schizophyllum commune Fr. incubated at 30 °C for seven days on a mixture of 50% WH and 50% rice bran gave the optimal composite. Coating the obtained composite with chitosan improved its mechanical properties, but coating it with epoxy resin improved its water absorbency. Buried in soil, the composite coated with a chitosan solution decomposed within 30 days. The results indicate that Schizophyllum commune Fr. can be used as a binder to produce mycelial composites on a substrate of WH mixed with rice bran. The implications of these results will enable the further development and tuning of mushroom-based materials, especially for the production of sustainable bio-construction materials derived from local mushrooms and bio-waste. Full article

Organic fertilizers produced from agricultural waste materials using earthworms have many advantages. The impact of vermicompost bio-organic fertilizer (VcF) prepared from waste mushroom bran on the quality of Chinese herbal medicine and soil health deserves attention. We conducted a field experiment to explore the quality of Rhizoma atractylodis and soil, using chemical fertilizer and VcF at dosages of 30 t·ha⁻¹ and 40 t·ha⁻¹. The results demonstrated that VcF significantly increased the contents of atractylenolide II, β-eudesmol, atractylenol, and atractylenolone by 34%, 175%, 72%, and 24%, respectively, along with a 70% increase in yield compared to the control. VcF significantly increased the available phosphorus content and the activity of the soil enzymes (α-Galactosidase, β-Galactosidase, and peroxidase), while reducing the nitrate nitrogen content. The addition of vermicompost did not change the soil bacterial diversity, while it significantly increased the soil fungal diversity. VcF improved the soil fungal diversity and significantly enhanced the relative abundance of the bacterial phylum Actinobacteriota and WPS-2, as well as the fungal phylum Ascomycota. Vermicompost significantly increased the relative abundance of bacteria phylum Actinobacteriota and WPS-2, as well as the fungi phylum Ascomycota. Actinobacteria mainly participate in the decomposition of detritus and the heterotrophic nutrient cycle. A Principal Coordinates Analysis of the soil bacterial and fungi communities suggested a significant impact of vermicompost application on the community structure of the soil bacteria. Conversely, no significant variance was detected in the bacterial community composition across the two levels of vermicompost. This study contributes to the enhancement of fertilization strategies for Atractylodes macrocephala, broadens the application scope of vermicompost, and advances the growth of organic agriculture. Full article

The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is globally valued for its nutrition and medicinal properties. New technologies aim to increase production with less environmental impact, considering materials such as charcoal for substrate enrichment. This manuscript evaluated the effect of fine charcoal (FC) on the substrate formulation of two L. edodes strains (LED 20/11 and LED 20/12). The substrate consisted of 72% eucalyptus sawdust, 12.5% rice bran, 12.5% wheat bran, and 3% calcium carbonate (control treatment without charcoal). Treatments with FC proportionally reduced the use of sawdust, with doses of 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16% (relative to the substrate material). Yield, mushroom number, and mushroom weight were evaluated. The concentration of FC significantly affected the parameters analyzed, especially at the 4% dose. A negative correlation between mushroom number and weight was observed. For yield, the control treatment and the lowest dose of FC (1%) had the highest yields for the first harvest. Strain LED 20/12 showed lower yield variability due to the percentage of FC applied to the substrate. The incorporation of FC into the substrate for shiitake cultivation demonstrates efficacy; however, both the concentration and strain used are limiting factors for its applicability. Full article

Soil improvement methods can result in changes in the microbial community in blueberry soil. Bacterial communities play an important role in soil fertilizer and plant nutrient acquisition. In this study, the response of microbial community composition, microbial function, and the nitrogen (N) cycle to different improvement methods was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing to investigate the best soil improvement method from a microbial perspective. The results showed that the highest microbial diversity was observed in the treatment involving peat combined with mushroom bran (T2), followed by the peat combined with acidified rice husk (T2) both in the rhizosphere and roots. The dominant phyla were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria both in the blueberry rhizosphere soil and roots. Interestingly, Acidobacterium and Paludibaculum, belonging to the Acidobacteria phylum, exhibited the most significant influence and were most predominant in the T2 treatment rhizosphere soil. The T2 treatment promoted the growth of N fixation functional bacteria both in the rhizosphere soil and roots. At the module level, the T2 treatment enhanced N fixation and suppressed the assimilatory and dissimilatory nitrate reduction reactions, denitrification, and nitrification in the blueberry rhizosphere. Additionally, the T2 treatment increased the abundance of root endophytic microbes involved in N fixation. Overall, our findings suggest that the addition of peat combined with acidified rice husk is the optimal soil improvement method for blueberry cultivation. Full article

Beyond their nutritional benefits, vitamins could decrease the risk of chronic diseases due to their potent antioxidant capacity. The present work is aimed at reviewing the state of the art regarding (1) the vitamins involved in oxidative stress prevention in accordance with the requirements established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and (2) the foods of plant origin that are sources of those vitamins and have potential benefits against oxidative stress in humans. According to the European regulations based on EFSA scientific evidence, riboflavin, vitamin C, and vitamin E are those vitamins subjected to the approved health claim “contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress”. Scientific studies conducted in humans with some natural food sources of riboflavin (almonds, wheat germ, mushrooms, oat bran), vitamin C (guava, kale, black currant, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, orange), and vitamin E (hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachio nuts, extra virgin olive oil, dates, rye) have been performed and published in the literature. However, no food of plant origin has obtained a favorable EFSA opinion to substantiate the approval of health claims related to its potential properties related to oxidative stress prevention. Further studies (concretely, well-controlled human intervention studies) must be carried out in accordance with EFSA requirements to provide the highest level of scientific evidence that could demonstrate the potential relationship between foods of plant origin and antioxidant capacity. This review could be useful for the scientific community to study the application of health claims referring to the antioxidant capacity potentially exerted by foods of plant origin. Full article

As a result of the increasing focus on alternative protein sources which are ideally still sustainable, the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, has come into focus. To verify its suitability as a food source in relation to human health, an analysis of the microbiome of larvae of T. molitor is pertinent. Subsequently, the focus of this study was, on the one hand, to analyze the influence of the substrate on the microbial load of the larvae microbiome, and, on the other hand, to determine which processing methods ensure the risk-free consumption of mealworms. For this purpose, mealworms were grown on 10 different substrates derived from by-products of food production (malt residual pellets, corn germ meal, chestnut breakage and meal, wheat bran, bread remains, draff, nettle, hemp seed oil cake, oyster mushrooms with coffee grounds, pumpkin seed oil cake) and microbial loads were analyzed using different selective media. Further starvation/defecation and heating (850 W for 10 min) methods were used to investigate how the reduction of microorganisms is enabled by these methods. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between the microbial load of the substrate and the mealworm. Starvation and defecation led to a lower stock of microorganisms. Heating led to a significant microbial reduction in non-defecated mealworms. The group of defecated and heated mealworms showed no detectable microbial load. In conclusion, firstly, the choice of substrate showed no effect on the microbial load of larvae of Tenebrio molitor and secondly, heating and starvation allow risk-free consumption. This study makes an important contribution for evaluating the safety of mealworms as a sustainable protein source in human nutrition. Full article

Plant-based (PB) meat alternatives are developing due to the consumer’s demand, especially those who are mainly health-concerned. Soy proteins (SP) are commonly used as the main ingredients for PB meat analogues; however, SP may have adverse effects on the cognitive function and mood of humans. This study aimed to use grey oyster mushroom (GOM) and chickpea flour (CF) as an alternative source of SP to prepare emulsion-type sausages (ES). The effect of different hydrocolloids and oil on the quality of sausage was also investigated. The sausage was prepared using different concentrations of GOM and CF (20:20, 25:15, and 30:10 w/w). The GOM to CF ratio 25:15 was selected for the ES based on protein content, textural properties, and sensory attributes. The result indicated that sausage containing konjac powder (KP) and rice bran oil (RBO) provided a better texture and consumer acceptability. The final product showed higher protein (36%, dry basis), less cooking loss (4.08%), purge loss (3.45%), higher emulsion stability, and better consumer acceptability than the commercial sausage. The best recipe for mushroom-based ES is 25% GOM, 15% CF, 5% KP, and 5% RBO. In addition, GOM and CF could be an alternative option to replace SP in PB meat products. Full article

Oryza sativa L. cv. Pieisu 1 CMU (PES1CMU) has a high anthocyanin content in the colored bran and high phenolic content in the husk. Biologically active compounds in plants are available as dietary supplements and cosmetics. To expand the utilization of natural resources, PES1CMU will be a natural remedy for skin hyperpigmentation and aging. Cell-free tyrosinase inhibition and scavenging assays were used to screen all extracts, including PES1CMU-rice bran oil (RBO), PES1CMU-defatted rice bran (DFRB), and PES1CMU-husk (H). PES1CMU extracts were first examined in IBMX-stimulated B16 cells and H₂O₂-induced fibroblasts. The results exhibited that PES1CMU-DFRB was the most effective inhibitor of mushroom tyrosinase, intracellular melanin production (fold change of 1.11 ± 0.01), and tyrosinase activity (fold change of 1.22 ± 0.10) in IBMX-stimulated B16 cells. Particularly, PES1CMU-DFRB showed a comparable whitening effect to the standard arbutin with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Moreover, PES1CMU-DFRB and PES1CMU-H demonstrated strong scavenging activities. After accelerated cell aging caused by H₂O₂ exposure in fibroblasts, the levels of malondialdehyde production in all PES1CMU-treated fibroblasts were comparable with those of standard l-ascorbic acid (p > 0.05). Besides, PES1CMU-DFRB and PES1CMU-H treatment significantly inhibited collagen degradation against MMP-2 compared to l-ascorbic acid-treated cells (p > 0.05). PES1CMU rice-processing wastes (DFRB and H) could become potential natural sources for dermatocosmetic constituents in skin anti-aging and whitening products. Full article