Conversion of different plant waste into feed by basidiomycetes

Abstract

1. The solid state fermentation of beech sawdust, reed, rape and sunflower straw and rice husks by Stropharia rugosoannulata, Pleurotus sp. Florida, Pleurotus cornucopiae and Agrocybe aegerita at 25°C for periods of 0–60 days was examined. 2. All fungi tested can colonize the sterile substrates used. The highest decomposition rate was found with P. cornucopiae on rape (44.5%) and sunflower (43.2%). Relatively low decomposition activity was observed for A. aegerita. 3. On all substrates tested, the water soluble substances increase after 60 days of solid state fermentation. 4. Lignolitic activity and in vitro digestibility are strongly dependent on fungal species and the kind of plant waste substrate. Pleurotus sp. Florida and Stropharia rugosoannulata showed good lignin decomposition and increased the in vitro digestibility of all substrates except rice husks. Agrocybe aegerita decomposed lignin only to a small extent and decreased the in vitro digestibility. 5. All fungi tested decreased the digestibility of rice husks. This effect is probably caused by high incrustation of rice husks with SiO2.