Formulation of silages from spent mushroom substrates of Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes: Organoleptic properties, phenolic content, in vitro digestibility, gas production and ruminal kinetics
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 9/5/2025
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Summary
This study shows that mushroom farming creates leftover substrate that can be turned into healthy animal feed through a fermentation process called ensiling. When mixed with corn and fermented, this mushroom waste creates nutritious silage for livestock that contains beneficial plant compounds called polyphenols. The best results came from silages containing 70% mushroom substrate mixed with 30% corn, which had good taste, smell, and digestibility. This approach demonstrates how agricultural waste can be recycled into valuable animal feed, supporting more sustainable farming practices.
Background
Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is an agro-industrial by-product generated during edible mushroom cultivation. SMS is rich in protein, cellulose, chitin, and bioactive compounds, making it suitable for animal feed. However, due to its high moisture content (60%), preservation through ensiling is necessary to extend shelf life and maintain nutritional quality.
Objective
This study evaluates the use of SMS from Pleurotus ostreatus (strain Po-IAP) and Lentinula edodes (strain L5) as an ingredient for silage formulation. The objective was to assess nutritional composition, secondary metabolite content, in vitro digestibility, and fermentation parameters of different SMS silage formulations.
Results
Silages with 70% SMS inclusion showed superior organoleptic characteristics and higher IVDMD compared to 100% SMS silages. Lentinula edodes silages contained higher phenolic compounds (8.2-9.0 mg GAE/g DM) than Pleurotus ostreatus (6.1-6.5 mg GAE/g DM). No mycotoxin contamination was detected. Silages with 70% SMS exhibited higher gas production and improved fermentation parameters.
Conclusion
The formulation of silages with 70% SMS demonstrated good organoleptic characteristics and nutritional qualities that improve IVDMD and fermentative parameters, making them suitable for use as animal feed. These findings support the circular economy approach of utilizing mushroom cultivation by-products for livestock feed. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate results and evaluate impacts on animal health and production costs.
- Published in:PLoS One,
- Study Type:Experimental Study,
- Source: PMC12412943, PMID: 40911565, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0331467