Determination of optimum seaweed concentration for mushroom cultivation and the ability of mushrooms to absorb iodine

Abstract

The optimum concentration of seaweed (Laminaria schinzii) in grass as substrate for cultivation of the Oyster mushroom Pleurotus sajor caju was observed to be 10%. This concentration supported growth of highest numbers and biomass of mushrooms. Concentrations of seaweed above 10% suppressed mushroom growth. No growth occurred above 25%. The Oyster mushrooms absorbed iodine from the growth substrates which increased with the increasing concentration of seaweed in the substrate mixtures. Incorporation of 10% seaweed (L. schinzii) in grass substrates for cultivation of the Oyster mushroom P. sajor caju is therefore likely to increase mushroom yield as well as iodine concentration in the mushrooms thus increasing food health benefits and reducing incidences of goiter and cretinism in the consumers. Key words: Seaweed, Laminaria schinzii, Pleurotus sajor caju, mushrooms, substrates, iodine, goiter.