Valorization of various lignocellulosic wastes to Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (Reishi Mushroom) cultivation and their FT-IR assessments

Author: mycolabadmin
7/22/2025
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Summary

This research demonstrates how agricultural and forestry waste materials can be effectively converted into nutritious Reishi mushrooms through sustainable cultivation practices. Oak wood substrates produced the highest mushroom yields, while various agricultural wastes showed promising results for producing medicinal mushrooms. Using specialized spectroscopy techniques, scientists confirmed that the Reishi mushroom effectively breaks down and utilizes the complex plant materials in these waste substrates. This approach offers an environmentally friendly solution to waste management while producing valuable medicinal mushrooms.

Background

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) is a medicinal mushroom with extensive pharmacological benefits used in traditional medicine for approximately 2000 years. Approximately 998 million tons of agricultural waste are generated annually, yet only 20% is converted into value-added products. This study explores the valorization of various lignocellulosic wastes for sustainable G. lucidum cultivation.

Objective

This study aimed to cultivate G. lucidum mushrooms on diverse lignocellulosic waste substrates including hazelnut branches, rhododendron branches, wheat straw, and wood materials, while assessing their biodegradation properties through chemical analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The research evaluated substrate composition effects on mushroom yield, nutritional properties, and chemical composition changes.

Results

Oak wood at 91% + wheat bran 9% yielded the highest mushroom production (46 g/kg), while corn husk and wheat straw produced the lowest yields (18.3 and 18.5 g/kg respectively). Following cultivation, holocellulose content and pH decreased while alpha-cellulose and extractives increased. FT-IR spectra effectively demonstrated fungal biodegradation of lignocellulosic materials with substrate-dependent variations in phenolic content (highest 3.156 mg GAE/g in beech wood).

Conclusion

Various agricultural and forestry wastes can be successfully valorized for G. lucidum cultivation, with oak and beech wood providing optimal substrate performance. FT-IR spectroscopy proved effective in elucidating biodegradation properties of G. lucidum on lignocellulosic materials. This sustainable approach offers value-added product generation while addressing waste management challenges in agriculture and forestry industries.

Published in:PLoS One,
Study Type:Experimental Research,
Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328732, PMID: 40694562