Determination of appropriate growth medium for production of sclerotia in Pleurotus tuber-regium

This study determined appropriate growth medium for production of sclerotia in Pleurotus tuber-regium. Due to climate change and other anthropogenic activities, such as forest depletion, sclerotia sourcing form the wild is tending towards extinction. An alternative production of sclerotia is therefore imperative. This research was conducted in the Mushroom Farm of the University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Fresh and Composted sawdust were used for the cultivation of Pleurotus tuber-regium to determine a better substrate medium for sclerotia production. The composted sawdust was left to decompose for two weeks while the fresh sawdust was used without decomposition. Mycelia ramification and sclerotia production were observed in the course of the research. Full mycelia ramification for composted substrate took more days (26 days from inoculation of substrate with mushroom spawn) compared with fresh sawdust (25 days from inoculation of substrate with mushroom spawn). However, there was no significant difference for mycelia ramification between the substrates. Sclerotia production took shorter days on composted substrate (47 days from inoculation of substrate with mushroom spawn)and significantly different (P≤0.05) from production on the fresh sawdust (49 days from inoculation of substrate with mushroom spawn).Fresh weight of sclerotia for the composted sawdust weighed 21.6± 5.6 grams while the fresh weight of sclerotia for the fresh sawdust weighed 15.6±3.9 grams; dry weight of sclerotia for the composted sawdust was 11.6±4.5 grams while that of the fresh sawdust was 8.2±3.0 grams. Composted sawdust is recommended for the cultivation of Pleurotus tuber-regium for production of sclerotia.Keywords: Pleurotus tuber-regium, Sclerotia sustainability, Fresh sawdust, Composted sawdus

Growth and productivity of (Pleurotus floridanus) on sawdust substrate

Study was conducted to investigate growth and biological efficiency of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus floridanus) cultivated on different proportions of sawdust substrate supplemented with wheat bran. The experiment was a complete randomized design with three treatments (A- 500g , B-1000g and C-1500g) 10 replicates each. The yield and biological efficiency of the 500g substrate was highest (with 265.5g) and B.E of (26.5%). Result of this study revealed no significant different (P>0.05) between yield and B.E of treatments 1000g and 1500g. Biological efficiency decreased with an increase in substrate quantity. Maximum moisture content (86.4%) was recorded in treatment 1500g followed by 85.8% for treatment 500g and 85.5% for 1000g. Number of fruit bodies recorded was 233, 201 and 91 for treatments 1500g, 1000g and 500g respectively. Means of pileus diameter and stipe length obtained were higher for mushrooms grown in 1500g substrate while lower values were obtained from those grown in the 500g substrate. Yield, B.E, moisture content, number of fruit, pileus diameter, stipe length of the mushrooms grown in different proportion of sawdust substrate were dependent on the quantities of the substrate. The use of less quantities of sawdust substrate in mushroom production is encouraged.Keywords: Pleurotus floridanus, yield, Biological Efficiency, Mushroom Productio

Antiplasmodial Activity of the n-Hexane Extract from <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> (Jacq. ex. Fr) P. Kumm.

Objectives:Several mushrooms species have been reported to be nematophagous and antiprotozoan. This study reported the antiplasmodial and cytotoxic properties of the n-hexane extract from the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus and the isolation of a sterol from the extract.Materials and Methods:Antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity assays were done in vitro using the plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase assay and human HeLa cervical cell lines, respectively. The structure of the isolated compound from the n-hexane extract was elucidated using spectroscopic techniques.Results:The n-hexane extract (yield: 0.93% w/w) showed dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with the trend in parasite inhibition of: chloroquine (IC50=0.016 μg/mL) > n-hexane extract (IC50=25.18 μg/mL). It also showed mild cytotoxicity (IC50>100 μg/mL; selectivity index >4) compared to the reference drug emetine (IC50=0.013 μg/mL). The known sterol, ergostan-5,7,22-trien-3-ol, was isolated and characterized from the extract.Conclusion:This study reporting for the first time the antiplasmodial activity of P. ostreatus revealed its nutraceutical potential in the management of malaria

Antiplasmodial Activity of the n-Hexane Extract from Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fr) P. Kumm.

Objectives:Several mushrooms species have been reported to be nematophagous and antiprotozoan. This study reported the antiplasmodial and cytotoxic properties of the n-hexane extract from the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus and the isolation of a sterol from the extract.Materials and Methods:Antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity assays were done in vitro using the plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase assay and human HeLa cervical cell lines, respectively. The structure of the isolated compound from the n-hexane extract was elucidated using spectroscopic techniques.Results:The n-hexane extract (yield: 0.93% w/w) showed dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with the trend in parasite inhibition of: chloroquine (IC50=0.016 μg/mL) > n-hexane extract (IC50=25.18 μg/mL). It also showed mild cytotoxicity (IC50>100 μg/mL; selectivity index >4) compared to the reference drug emetine (IC50=0.013 μg/mL). The known sterol, ergostan-5,7,22-trien-3-ol, was isolated and characterized from the extract.Conclusion:This study reporting for the first time the antiplasmodial activity of P. ostreatus revealed its nutraceutical potential in the management of malaria