Conversion of Agricultural Residues into Protein Biomass by Milky Mushroom Fungus Calocybe indica var. Apk2 through Solid State Fermentation

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to estimate the morphogenesis related enzymes, yield parameters and yield of milky mushroom fungus C. indica utilizing different growth substrates viz., paddy straw, sorghum stalks, sugarcane baggase, maize stalks, soybean hay, blackgram hay, ground nut halums, saw dust, paddy straw compost and coirpith compost. Palmorasa and vetiver grasses were also used along with all other substrates mentioned by enzyme production technology, Solid State Fermentation (SSF) for the fruiting body production and biodegradation of phyto constituents. Among the substrates tested, the higher level of endocellulase (2.40%) and exocellulase (1.01%) production was observed in paddy straw followed by sorghum stalks. Laccase (1.10%) and poly phenol oxidase (0.037%) activity showed increased level in blackgram hay followed by maize stalks and coir pith compost, respectively. Among the substrates used for yield estimation, the Paddy straw and maize stalks gave significantly higher yields (356.5 and 354.3 g per bed, respectively) followed by sorghum stalks and vetiver grass. The high level of protein biomass was calculated in Paddy straw (2.929g/500g of substrate) followed by maize stalks (2.911 g/500g of substrate).