Effects of heavy metals on some proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes

Effects of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) on the total chlorophyll, foliar proline, and protein and starch contents of Eichhornia crassipes was investigated. Plantlets were grown in quarter-strength Hoagland's solution and supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM of each of the metals for 3 weeks. There was a significant reduction (p≤0.05) in total chlorophyll, protein and starch contents, while foliar proline increased significantly. These effects were however dependent on the nature of the metal, its concentration and duration of exposure. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 83-8

Cultivation and fruit body production of Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. (Singer) on bark and leaves of fruit trees supplemented with agricultural waste

The mycelia growth of Lentinus squarrosulus culture on the leaves and bark of common fruit trees were investigated. The effect of supplementing these fruit trees with 25% each of rice bran, horse dung, poultry droppings, cow dung, fresh cassava flour and oil palm waste fiber on the mycelia growth of this fungus was also observed. All the substrates supported the growth of the fungus, while supplemented substrates gave higher mycelia growth. The best mycelia growth was recorded on the leaves of Spondias mombin with 8.90 cm length. Among the supplements, rice bran gave the highest mycelia growth of 10.43 cm on S. mombin. Fruiting of the fungus on the logs of the best two substrates commenced after 28 days of inoculation and occurred every four days. The highest yield of fruit bodies and the best biological efficiency was obtained on the log of S. mombin, while the leaf substrates did not fructify even after 35 days of inoculation.Keywords: Lentinus squarrosulus, supplements, fruit body, biological efficiency

Centesimal composition and physical-chemistry analysis of the edible mushroom Lentinus strigosus occurring in the Brazilian Amazon

The centesimal composition and the physical and chemical analyses of Lentinus strigosus, an edible mushroom occurring in the Brazilian Amazon and produced in alternative substrates based on wood and agroindustrial residues, were evaluated. For this purpose, the C, N, pH, soluble solids, water activity, protein, lipids, total fiber, ash, carbohydrate, and energy levels were determined. The substrates were formulated from Simarouba amara Aubl. marupá"), Ochroma piramidale Cav. Ex. Lam. pau-de-balsa") and Anacardium giganteum cajuí") sawdust and Bactris gasipaes Kunth pupunheira") stipe and Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane bagasse). The results indicated that the nutritional composition of L. strigosus varied with the substrate of cultivation; the protein levels found in mushrooms grown in the different substrates (18 –21.5%) varied with the substrate and was considered high; the soluble solids present in the mushrooms could have a relation with complex B hydrosoluble vitamins. L. strigosus could be considered as important food owing to its nutritional characteristics such as high protein content, metabolizable carbohydrates and fibers, and low lipids and calories content.Avaliou-se a composição centesimal e análise físico-química do Lentinus strigosus, um cogumelo comestível de ocorrência na Amazônia brasileira, produzidos em substratos alternativos à base de resíduos madeireiros e agroindustriais. Com este objetivo, determinou-se C, N, pH, sólidos solúveis, atividade de água, proteína, lipídios, fibra total, cinzas, carboidratos e energia. Os substratos foram formulados a partir de serragem de Simarouba amara Aubl. (marupá), Ochroma piramidale Cav. ex. Lam. (pau-de-balsa) e Anacardium giganteum (cajuí); e do estipe de Bactris gasipaes Kunth (pupunheira) e de Saccharum officinarum (cana-de-açúcar). Os resultados demonstraram que: a composição nutricional do L. strigosus variou com o substrato de cultivo; os valores de proteína encontrados nos cogumelos cultivados nos diferentes substratos (18 - 21,5%) variaram de acordo com o substrato, sendo considerados elevados; os sólidos solúveis presentes nos cogumelos podem ter relação com vitaminas hidrossolúveis do complexo B; o L. strigosus pode ser considerado um importante alimento devido suas características nutricionais: alto teor de proteína, carboidratos metabolizáveis e fibras; baixos teores de lipídios e de calorias