Paddy straw: an economical substrate for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation

¹ School of Biosciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
² Department of Biotechnology, D.K.M College for Women, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
³ Biorefinery and Process Automation Engineering Center, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

^* Corresponding author: suksun.a@tggs.kmutnb.ac.th

Abstract

Cultivation of the Pleurotus ostreatus, oyster mushroom on paddy straw without supplements was investigated to follow circular economy concept to convert agricultural waste to value added products. Substrate nutrients, mushroom yield, and biological efficiency were determined. Three different extracts were used in this study (methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane). Antioxidant and scavenging activity was determined using DPPH and H₂O₂. To find the essential compounds present in the mushrooms, GC-MS was analyzed. It was found that mushroom growth on paddy substrate was less than five days with excess mushroom yield. The biological efficiency was found between 54.5-130.9%, with the moisture of 93%. It was found that C, P, N, and K were integrated into mushrooms with these elements than in the utilized substrate. In DPPH results, the minimum concentration was 37.07 μg/ml, and the maximum was 67.2 μg/ml. IC50 value of 42.6 μg/ml were 50% for inhibition concentration. In H₂O₂, the minimum concentration was found to be 72.57 μg/ml, and the maximum was 98.02 μg/ml. This concentration indicates that the IC50 value of 84.07 μg/ml can be used in the biological process or component by 50% for inhibition concentration. The compounds include Oxirane, 2-Methyl-3-(1-Methylethyl)-, O-Methylisourea Hydrogen Sulfate, Diethyl Phthalate, 1,1,3,3-Tetrapropoxy- were found commonly in all three extracts. Hence, analysis of mushroom extracts is needed to determine the mechanisms of action of the various components for antimicrobial activity and inhibitory activity. Therefore, paddy straw could be used as an effective and economical substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation.