Coconut shell as substrate for commercial edible-medicinal mushrooms cultivation

Abstract

Commercial production of edible mushrooms is every day more important. Currently, world production exceeds 6.2 million tons of fresh mushrooms per year. Their approximate economic values elevate 30 billion dollars. The species Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus edodes represent 4.9% of the total production of edible mushrooms. The purpose of this work was to study the fruiting of two species of edible-medicinal mushrooms whit commercial interest: Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus edodes, using coconut shell as substrate. The cultures were carried out in polyethylene bags. As a productivity parameter, Biological Efficiency (BE) was evaluated. The results show the feasibility of growing these edible mushrooms of commercial interest, using this industrial waste, which allows their use in human and animal food.