Cultivation and nutritional analysis of Pleurotus sp. from different substrates

The oyster mushroom ranks as the second most significant mushroom globally as well as in India in terms of production. The scientific name for the oyster mushroom is Pleurotus. The cultivation process is relatively straight forward; it requires attention to several essential factors such as moisture levels, adequate sterilization and layered spawning to ensure optimal mycelial development and fruiting. Unlike the cultivation of button mushrooms, there is no requirement to compost the substrate, which may include straw or other materials used for mushroom growth. This type of mushroom can thrive on a diverse array of substrates and under varying temperature conditions. Certain species flourish at temperatures below 20°C, while others perform best at temperatures exceeding 20°C. Pleurotus mushrooms possess a high concentration of proximate nutrients, water-soluble vitamins and essential minerals. Various solvents, including aqueous, methanol, ethanol and diethyl ether were employed to extract bioactive compounds from Pleurotus species. Pleurotus mushrooms cultivated on three different substrates exhibited enhanced growth and nutritional properties. Based on the nutritional assessment of the Pleurotus species were analyzed. It can be concluded that this food source has the potential to play a significant role in addressing the growing food demands and alleviating micronutrient deficiencies in various regions particularly in developing nations.