Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Via National Agri Day celebration and related programs, more than 100 elementary and high school students learned about the preparatory steps for the production of oyster mushrooms, medicinal values of Ganoderma and shiitake mushroom in the mushroom lcultivation aboratory. Through seminar series, faculty and staff of the SUAREC and undergraduate and graduate students of the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences learned about the various specialty mushroom species, medicinal properties and the in vitro effects of the extracts of two-wildly grown mushrooms on inhibition of selected human cancer cell growth. Via Small Farm Conferences and other small farm programs, small and limited resource farmers, extension and county agents of 36 parishes in Louisiana had a chance to learn about the mushroom research taking place at SUAREC. Via professional meetings, a great deal of interaction between the project director and international scientific communities came to fruition to improve the research undertakings. Specific target audiences were: • Limited resource small family farm producers, particularly African-Americans • Specialty mushroom scientific communities and USDA/ARS database • Extension and county agents • Consumers and the general public • Health food and weekend farmers' markets • Nutraceutical groups and buyers of specialty mushroom • Undergraduate and graduate students in food and agricultural sciences Changes/Problems: Due to delayed initial start-up and extended period (2014-16) for the completion of the greenhouse renovation which is designated for mushroom production research, constituted substrate evaluation was not adequately and sufficiently evaluated in a timely manner. Consequently, mushroom production system needed further evaluation. Economic analysis of specialty mushroom production was delayed and the postdoc position was not filled early in the duration of the project. To accomplish Objectives 3 and 4 and to build local research facility and phytochemical analysis capability, the proposed major changes were projected as follows: 1. Modify existing budget and use the unexpended fund to purchase a state-of-the art LC/MS instrument for the analysis of various phytochemical components of selected mushroom (see attached proposed budget modification) 2. Graduate students and selected scientist(s) will travel to Rutgers University to receive training on lab analytical protocol for mushroom. 3. Southern University research team can use the acquired sample preparation and analytical techniques from Rutgers to conduct mushroom sample preparation, extraction and phytochemical analysis using the purchased LC/MS within the fifth year time frame. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided an opportunity to PI to visit CePaul Mushroom Nursery to observe and learn about the low-cost mushroom production technologies that wereadoptable by small and limited resource farmers. Further gratis consultation was sought and provided by the owner/grower of CePaul Mushroom Nursery via the travel arrangement for attendance and presentation of mushroom research findings at the location where CePaul Mushroom Nursery was located. Dialogue was held between Southern University research team with Edible Fungi Research Center of the Institute of Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, China on Auricularia mushroom research. Two graduate students were sent to the New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program laboratory, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ to receive hands-on training on laboratory protocol to analyze the total phenolic compounds and anti-oxidant activity of the extracts of various species of mushrooms. A financial support was given a Ph. D. student in toxicology to conduct review of literature and bioassay methodologies and to plan anin-vivo study on bioactivity of mushroom extracts to suppress chemically induced tumor growth. Unfortunately, this student abandoned the study pursuit without completing the assignment. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Researched information was shared among fellow scientists of 1890 and 1862 institutions and international institutions via conferences and presentations. Research undertakings were exposed to college and school (elementaryand high school) students via workshops and facility tour. Faculty, staff and students of the agricultural communities were apprised of specialty mushroom research via seminar presentation and tours. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project has ended.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Pure cultures of various species of oyster mushrooms were isolated and maintained for spawn production. Hay, saw dust, wheat straws, woodchips, cotton gin wastes, bagasse and peat moss were evaluated as substrates for growing Volvariella volvacea, Lentinula edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus pulmonarius, Pleurotus ostreasus (white and cool blue type), Pleurotus salmoneostramineus, Pleurotus cistidiosus and Pleurotus citrinopileastus. The use of dried hay + peat moss (1/1:v/v) as a substrate supplemented with 10% rice bran and 1% hydrated lime in 4-Liter polybag was found to be conducive for the growth P. cistidiosus. In the evaluation trial of wheat straw, sawdust and cotton gin waste as substrates for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) under laboratory conditions, wheat straw was found to be more conducive to Pleurotus mycelial and fruit growth than sawdust and cotton gin waste. No fruiting was observed for P. citrinopileastus and V. volvacea. Using the laboratory yield performance data as a reference, a low-cost system consisting of plastic cover and shelves underneath the oak tree which provided shade during the summer months of June, July and August of 2018was created to evaluate the performance of P. ostreatus and P. salmoneostramineus. The system was misted three times daily for five minutes each. Two substrates (wheat straw and bagasse) were used. Wheat straw and bagasse substrates were steam-sterilized for one hour. The prepared substrates in the polybags of 1 ½ lb. size were inoculated with the spawns of Pleurotus ostreatus and, Pleurotus citrinopileastus, respectively. Mushroom harvests were carried out one month after the inoculation of spawns. Two to four flushes of harvests were obtained. The performance of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus salmoneostramineus under these field conditions produced mushrooms ranging from 78 gm. to 250 gm per polybag of about 1 1/2 lb. of substrate. Results of various experiments indicated that oyster mushrooms can be grown successfully as a niche market crop using a low-cost production system for small and limited resource farmers. Mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinula edodes grew well on mainly oak woodchip substrate but fruiting incidence was observed to be slow, sporadic and time consuming. This preliminary data appeared to indicate that the production of such species under indoor conditions was not economical. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant capabilities of the specialty mushroom extracts were determined using UV/VIS method. The total polyphenols expressed as gallic acid equivalent in mg/g sample for shiitake (lab. grown) , P. ostreasus (white), Ganoderma lucidum-Mal, Ganoderma lucidum-USA, shiitake (Commercial), P. ostreasus (cool blue oyster), and P. Pulmonarius were 1.085, 2.848, 0.986, 3.407. 3.134, 3.717 and 8.324, respectively and their total antioxidant expressed as Trolox equivalent content in mg/g sample were 3.982, 5.200, 4.063, 6.924, 7.127, 6.883 and 7.116, respectively. There were great variations in total phenol and antioxidant contents among these mushroom species. All samples were run in triplicates. For the quantification of phenolic acids present in these mushroom samples, 26 phenolic acid commercial standards were used for authentication of the isolated compounds from the extracts. Twenty phenolic acid acids were identified. The most common polyphenolic acids were salicyclic acid, 3-hydroxylbenzoic acid, 4-hydroxylbenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, homovanillic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid and cinnamic acid and trace amounts of other phenolic acids. Nutrient elemental contents such as N. P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn of Lentinula edodes, P. ostreasus (white),P. pulmonarius,Ganoderma lucidum-Mal, P. ostreasus (cool blue), Ganoderma lucidum-USA were determined using ARCO IPC. N was analyzed using LECO C-N 628 analyzer. A great deal of variations of these nutrient elements among mushroom species was observed. However, Lentinula edodes was observed to have consistently higher amount of S, B, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn and lower amount of Na than all other species analyzed. There were differences in N, P, K, S, B, Cu, Fe, Zn and Na contents between twoGanoderma species. The extracts of two wild-collected mushrooms, Cantharellus cibarius and Boletus ediulus, known to contain phytochemicals that exhibit anti-tumor activities were used to evaluate their effects on cell viability of four cancer cell lines, U87 Glioma, A172 Glioma, CH157-MN meningioma, Pan-C1 pancreatic cancer and NIH3T3. The WST-8 assay, crystal violet assay and CyQuant assay were used to assay the viability of the respective cells line plated into 96 well plates followed by the mushroom extract treatments. The combined methanol, saline and hot water extract of C. cibarius, neutral saline and hot water extracts of B. ediulis, respectively were used in the assays. The assay was conducted using five concentrations of the mushroom extracts, namely 0, 10, 100, 1,000 and 2,000 ug/mL over three days. Treatments with high concentrations of C. cibarius extracts resulted in reduced number of viable cancer cells for all cell lines tested. Treatments with high concentrations of B. edulis extracts of neutral saline and hot water, respectively resulted in reduced number of viable cells. Caspase activation is known as a signature of Apoptosis. The FAM-FLICA caspase activation assay was used to determine the effectiveness of the C. cibarius mushroom extract in inciting apoptosis. The caspase activation assay results indicated that mushroom extracts did likely account for reduced viability of cancer cells. The hot water extracts of P. pulmonarius and Lignosus rhinoceros were tested for their effects on inhibition of cancer cell growth of CH157MNmeningioma and pancreatic cell line by WST-8 cell viability assay. The number of viable cells was measured at optical density of 450nm. More variable results were observed for pancreatic cancer cells. Moderate effects were observed for the extracts of P. pulmonarius and Lignosus rhinoceros on viable CH157MN cell number at higher concentrations over a longer period of incubation from day 1 to day 3. Observational surveys of grocery chain stores, retailers and farmers' market in Baton Rouge metropolitan areas indicated that there were regular supplies of specialty mushroom such as shiitake and portabella mushrooms in chain grocery stores. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms were mainly found in oriental grocery stores. Seasonal supplies of shiitake mushrooms were observed in the farmers' market. Based on interviews with the retailers, these specialty mushrooms came from California via a Houston-based distributor. Farmers' market carried fresh shiitake mushrooms grown from wood logs by local growers during the production seasons. To assess the market chain viability of these specialty mushrooms such as oyster and shiitake mushrooms, the supply and demand and economic analysis are needed to determine whether a short-cycle oyster mushroom crop can be grown as a niche market crop to sustain farm profitability of small and limited resource or socially disadvantaged farmers.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Chin, K.L. 2018. Production of oyster mushrooms using polybags. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Pictorial publication.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Chin, Kit L. and P. Lai. 2018. Producing Oyster Mushroom Using Polybags. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center circular, Southern University Agricultural Land Grant Campus.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Chin, K.L. & P. Lai. 2018. Producing Shiitake Using Polybags. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Southern University Agricultural Land Grant Campus.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kit L. Chin et. al. 2018. Anti-tumor cell growth by extracts of two-wild-collected mushrooms. ACTA Scientific Agriculture. Vol.2, Issue 5:43-47 (ISSN:2581-365X)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kit L.. Chin et. al. 2017. In vitro evaluation of anti-tumor activity of extracts of two wild-collected mushrooms. p.20. Proc. of 3rd World Congress on medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research. Vol. 6, Issue 5 (ISSN: 2167-0412)
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Five underrepresented home-owners/small farmers visited the limited-scale substrate experiment undertaken in the processing laboratory. More than 15 attendees of the Small Farm Conference held at Southern Universityviewed therice-strawfield experiment.About85 out of 2,000 elementary school students were exposed to the selective mushroom production techniqueas well as various mushroom samples during the National Agriculture day. Three graduate students participated in the selective research activities. Changes/Problems:Due to delayed initial start-up and extended period (2014-16) for the completion of the greenhouse renovation which is designated for mushroom production research,constituted substrate evaluation was not adequately and sufficiently evaluated in a timely manner. Consequently, mushroom production system needs further evaluation. Phytochemistry of targeted mushrooms was not determined. Economic analysis of specialty mushroom production was delayed and the post-doc position was not filled. To accomplish Objectives 3 and 4 and to build local research facility and phytochemical analysis capability, the proposed major changes are as follows: Modify existing budget and use the unexpended fund to purchase a state-of-the art LC/MS instrument for the analysis of various phytochemical components of selected mushroom (see attached proposed budget modification) Graduate students and selected scientist(s) will travel to Rutgers University to receive training on lab analytical protocol for mushroom. Southern University research team can use the acquired sample preparation and analytical techniques from Rutgers to conduct mushroom sample preparation, extraction and phytochemical analysis using the purchased LC/MS within the fifth year time frame. Additionalimpact that will be realized from these approach changes: A well-established lab equipped with LC/MS to conduct phytochemical analysis and identification for this project and future endeavors. This establishment is not possible without budget modification and analytical work has to be carried at Rutgers University. Graduate students will be used to conduct research in lieu of a post-doctoral candidate. Various phytochemicals of specialty mushrooms will be isolated and identified. A Ph.D. graduate will be mentored to emerge from these changes. Available data on nutrient elements of produced mushroom. Adequate mushroom production data for economic analysis Appropriated fund will be cost-effectively expended. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Ph.D. graduate students visited the New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program Lab of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, received hands-on laboratory protocol training and used the learned procedure to determine the total phenol and antioxidant activity of the extracts of selected mushroom species. A Ph.D. student in toxicology was given an opportunity to conduct a review of literature on phytochemical extraction of specialty mushroom species and to devise a research plan to study the effect of mushroom extract on anti-cancer and androgenic activities in androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer cell lines. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A seminar on the production of oysterand shiitake mushrooms was presented by the consultant and PD at the SU Ag Center. More than 25 faculty, staff, students and mushroom enthusiastsattended the seminar and had an extended interaction with the presenters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Basing on the feasibility study of 2016, a larger-scale cultivation method using vertical polybags will be planned in the newly completed greenhouse structure. Economic analysis will be conducted to assess the feasibility of this production system for small farm adoption. Anti-cancer and androgenic activities of the selected mushroom extracts will be conducted using androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer cell lines. Southern University's graduate student and selected scientist will be trained in the extraction and isolation of phytochemical properties of the produced mushroom by Rutgers University's collaborators and the extracts will be analyzed at Southern University analytical lab; which does not currently possess LC/MS/MS. To build Southern University phytochemical analytical capability, it is proposed that the project seeks approval from NIFA to modify the existing budget and permission to allow the project to use unexpended fund to acquire this state-of-the art LC/MS/MS equipment for the phytochemical analytical work. Quality control study of the selected mushroom species will include (1) ethanol extract for medium to low polar compounds such as sterols, terpenes and fat-soluble Vitamin D and (2) boiled distilled water extract for water soluble polysaccharides and high polar small molecular weight compounds such as amino acids, nucleotides and Vitamin B. LC/MS will be used to identify low MW compounds including amino acid, nucleotides and Vitamin B in comparison with commercial standards. Total and pure polysaccharides will be used for biological studies and QC reference standards for colorimetric assay. Derived research data and findings will be presented in the upcoming scientific meetings and published in refereed journals. Mushroom workshop and tour will be held in conjunction with other Southern University Land Grant Campus activities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
An experiment to evaluate the effect of rice bran supplement on the performance of oyster mushroom, Pleurotus pulmonarius grown in two-liter vertical polybags filled with 2/3 wood-shaving substrate by volume. Three %, 6% and 10% rice bran by volume was added to the wood-shaving substrate of about 65% moisture content. The filled polybags were autoclaved at 121 degrees Celsius for one hour. Spawns of Pleurotus pulmonarius were introduced into the substrate filled polybags through the restricted openings and subsequently capped aseptically. The first flush of mushroom yield /polybag was used for comparison amongthe three separate rice bran supplements, respectively. The yields were 32.47 gm, 41.70 gm and 48.67 gm for 3%, 6% and 10% rice bran supplement, respectively. The result suggested the use of 10% rice bran supplement for future mushroom cultivation study. Anti-tumor activity of two mushroom (Cantharellus cibarius and Boletus edulis) extracts were evaluated by Dr. Gerald Hankins, Co-PD and his collaborators from West Virginia State University using WST-8 assay, crystal violet assay and CyQUANT assay Cells. In the WST-8 assay, the treatment of high concentrations of combined extracts from C. cibarius reduced significantly the number of viable cells for all cell lines (A172 cells, U87 cells, PANC1 cells, CH157-MN cells and NIH3T3 cells). As the treatment period prolonged from one to three days, the number of viable cells decreased with increasing doses of extracts. Similar results were obtained for the crystal violet assay. In another WST-8 assay, the treatment of high concentrations of saline and hot water extracts of Boletus edulis significantly reduced the viability of all cell lines tested. Similar results were obtained for the crystal violet assay. In the FAM-FLICA caspase activation assay, the treatment of CH157 with high concentrations of C. cibarius extract resulted in caspase activation, a signature of apoptosis. Extracts of mushroom cultivated at SUAREC are to be assayed. In the comparison between two substrates: Woodchip+ Pro-Mix (peat moss and perlite mix) vs woodchip alone using the polybag system, it was found that woodchip alone yielded 63 gm/polybag for Pleurotus pulmonarius and 97 gm/polybag for Pleurotus ostreatus while woodchip+Pro-Mix yielded 50.4 gm/polybag for Pleurotus pulmonarius and 99.2 gm/polybag, respectively. Results of two flushes of harvest indicated that P. pulmonarius performed better under woodchip substrate alone while there was no significant difference between these two substrates for P. ostreatus. ICP analysis of dried mushroom samples indicated that in general, Pleurotus species seemed to have higher N, P, K and Mg contents than Lentinula edodes and medicinal Ganoderma lucidum while the content of other elements varied with only trace amounts of Ca, Mg, and S. Lentinula and Pleurotus species had good sources of Fe and Zn. A repeated experiment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of growing three mushroom species (Volvariella volvacea, Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes) in the open field in the month of June and July. It consisted of three replications and three substrates filled in the 4' x 8' plot. The substrates used were wheat straw, wood-shaving and organic peat moss. A 10% rice bran supplement was added into each substrate plot. Commercial spawns were used to seed this plot and the plot was subsequently covered with the same substrate. Sprinkle irrigation was provided during the first three weeks of the experiment. No plastic cover was used to maintain humidity of the growing plot. No mycelial growth was observed among substrates. High atmospheric temperature and lack of humidity might be the cause of no growth for Lentinula and Pleurotus species while poor and aged Volvariella spawn might be the attributing factor since Volvariella species like the summer temperature of Louisiana. Volvariella spawn was cultured in the lab and was found to be non-viable. Further study with adequate environmental control may be needed for field cultivation at least for the rice-straw mushroom (Volvariella species).
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Chin,K.L. & P. Lai. 2016. Producing shiitake mushroom using polybags.
Chin, K.L. & P. Lai. 2016. Producing oyster mushroom using polybags.
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include: • Limited resource small family farm producers, particularly African-Americans • Specialty mushroom scientific communities and USDA/ARS database • Extension and county agents • Consumers and the general public • Health food and weekend farmers' markets • Nutraceutical groups and buyers of specialty mushroom • Undergraduate and graduate students in food and agriculture Mushroom research as a part of the the Center of excellence in Medicinal and Natural Product Research proposal was submitted to Southern University administration for consideration. County agents surrounding the Baton Rouge Parishes were apprised of the mushroom research at SUAREC.Three undergraduates were exposed to the research activities. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Last yeara dialogue was initiated to establish a scientific collaboration on Cordyceps mushroom research between the scientists of the Tibet University and SUAREC and on Auricularia, Pleurotus species, Lentinula; and Ganoderma between Edible Fungi Research Center of the Institute of Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, China and SUAREC. These initiatives will assist in training this project staff to implement the project successfully. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We shared planning and other preliminary information about the project with fellow scientists in the 1890 and 1862 communities, faculty students and staff at Southern University, and some clients. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue the execution of the research objectives to ensure that the goals of the project are realized.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A repeated observation trial on the use of hay+peatmoss (1/1:v/v) as a substrate in4literpolybag for Pleurotus cystidiosus was conducted under room temperature of 680 F. One flush of profuse growth was obtained. The results of this observation trial indicated such substrate was conducive for P. cystidiosus. A more comprehensive experiment has been planned to evaluate hay alone, wheat straw alone, hay+peatmoss, wheat straw+peat moss with different species of Pleutorus. A repeated trial was conducted to observe various species of mushrooms prepared commercially in kit forms under laboratory temperature of 720F. These mushrooms were Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleutorus pulmonarius, Lentinula edodes 3782, Ganoderma lucidum and Agrocybe aegerita. The yield performance of these species under lab conditions was observed to be marginal and considered not economical based on the price/unit cost. Samples of these mushrooms were prepared for the analysis of total phenol content and antioxidant activity. A field experiment to evaluate three substrates: hay alone, wood-shaving alone and wood-shaving+hay (1/1:v/v) on the growth of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Volvariella volvacea. Spawns of these mushrooms were obtained from a commercial grower and sown and then covered with substrate materials. The plots were sprinkled with water three times/day. No growth was observed in this experiment. This could be attributable non-favorable outdoor environmental conditions, and non-viable spawns.We plan torepeat thisexperiment to ensure that our data are consisten and reliable. A preliminary experiment was conducted to evaluate three substrates for the production of Pleurotus pulmonarius. The treatments were wood-shaving alone, wood-shaving+cotton gin waste and cotton gin waste. About 1.2 L of prepared substrate with an added tablespoon of P. pulmonarius spawn, was placed in each 1.5 L polybag and subsequently covered with ventilated cap. All the bags were incubated at room temperature of 680 C. Cotton gin waste substrate produced no growth while the saw-dust+cotton gin waster produced little growth. Based on the results of this experiment, wood-shaving was used as a substrate with 1 kg/180L, 2kg/180L and 3 kg/180L of rice bran as supplements, respectively by volume. Increased rice bran content in the substrates as a supplement increased mushroom yields but non-significantly.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The intended target audience include: limited resource small family farm producers, particularly African Americans, specialty mushroom scientific communities and USDA/ARS database, extension and county agents, consumers and the general public. Others are: health food and weekend farmer markets, Nutraceutical group and buyers of specialty mushroom, undergraduate and graduate students in food and agriculture. During the period, two graduate students and one undergraduate student participated in the initial startup phase of the project. Mushroom production idea was discussed with three potential limited resource farmers and the extension agents were informed through internal media. Changes/Problems: The project plans to engage a tissue culture specialist to collaboratively conduct tissue culture research on Cordyceps mushroom and to aid in the establishment of the mushroom culture laboratory. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Theproject directorvisited, toured and received training atCePaul Mushroom Nursery.PD alsostudied the small farm production techniques used in producing Ganoderma lucidum, black mushroom, oyster and abalone mushrooms. Contact has been initially made to establish specialty mushroom collaborative research work with scientists at Heilongzhong Research site, China. An opportunity to grow specialty mushroom as an enterprise has been presented to three potential limited resource farmers. During the period, two graduate students and one undergraduate student participated and learnedthe initial startup phase of the project. Mushroom production idea waspresentedto potential limited resource farmers and the extension agents. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The project research plans have been presented to fellow research scientists, staff, gradaute and undergraduate students at Southern University Agricultural Center. Mushroom production idea waspresentedto potentialfarmers and to extension agents. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? A plan to obtain specialty musroom cultures and to subculture to produce planting spawns for production study. Experiments to evaluate the effects of different constituted subsrtates on the production of oyster and ricestraw mushroom under different system will be conducted. Specilay mushroom quality, their phytochemical properties and biological activities will be assessed. Research data will be considered for presentation in the scientific meeting. Workshop and tour may be conducted depending on the outcome of the studies.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: To maintain pure cultures of specialty mushroom and to establish a spawn production laboratory to supply planting spawns.. The project directorvisitedCePaul Mushroom Farm(small-scale farm) and underwenttrainingat CePaul Nursery farm production system for abalone and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus species), black fungus ( Auricularia auricular), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). The low-cost techniques used in the production appear to be adaptable to limited resource small family farms in Louisiana. Two strains of oyster mushroom spawns (Pleurotus species) were obtained from this farm for trials. Objective3: To evaluate the constituted substrates for the production of various species of specialty mushroom, their phytochemical quality and antioxidant activities. A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of three Louisiana biowastes (wheat straw, sawdust and cotton gin waste) as substrates for the inoculation of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spawn. It was generally observed that wheat straw was more conducive to Pleurotus mycelial growth followed by sawdust and cotton gin waste. Several strains of mushroom species in the form of growing kits were obtained from the commercial vendors for performance observation at Southern University Agricultural research and extension Center-Baton Rouge. These mushroom species were the cool blue oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes), Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and Elm oyster mushroom (Hypsizygus ulmarius). The performance data will be used as a guide to our future cultivation research.
Publications
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