Conversion of Wood Waste into Value-Added Products by Edible and Medicinal Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Karst. Species (Agaricales s.l., Basidiomycetes)

Abstract

Unused wood residues can be converted into value-added products such as gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. In this study, wood waste was used to cultivate wood-inhabiting ligninolytic white-rot Basidiomycetes of the genus Pleurotus. Ligninolytic Basidiomycetes supplemented with low concentrations of dextrose readily colonized the wood waste; fruiting bodies were produced in 3-8 weeks. After the fruiting bodies were harvested, the basidiomycetes degraded up to 38% Klason lignin and 45% acid-soluble lignin in the spent substrates. Lyophilization of cultures, which stimulated filamentous mycelial growth, accelerated fruiting. The results indicate that growing Pleurotus species on wood waste or unused wood residue associated with harvesting or thinning operations can enhance economic returns needed to support ecosystem management. These values include reducing fuels for fire, decreasing pest and disease outbreaks, and increasing biodiversity.