Biodegredation of different agro-endustrial wastes through the cultivation of pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fr) Kummer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various substrates on spawn running time, yield and biological efficiency (BE) of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fr) , compositional changes of substrates after growth mushroom and to evaluate its potential use as a feedstock. In the study, chickpea straw (CS) was used as basal substrate (80 %), while some of agricultural wastes such as cotton seed hulls (CSH), olive press cake (OPC), sunflower seed press cake (SPC) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) were added at the rate of 20 % to basal substrate. It was determinated that all of agricultural wastes tested in the study, except SBP, are economically viable alternatives for P. ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fr) growers. On the other hand, the increment in ash, N, P, K, Mg, Fe and Mn content and the decrease in moisture, pH, C, C:N, Zn and Cu, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content of substrates were observed after mushroom production. According to this results, we can suggest that CSH, OPC and SPC can be used as a additive material for P. ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fr) cultivation and spent mushroom substrates may be a valuable material as a feedstock, because of higher nutritional content and digestibility.