Some chemical and biochemical changes in straw constituents during growth of Pleurotus flabellatus (Berk & Br) Sacc

Abstract

The quantitative changes in constituents of rice straw during different stages of growth of the fungus Pleurotus flabellatus were investigated. Cellulose, hemicellulose(s), lignin, total carbon and total nitrogen showed a continuous decrease from inoculation until the end of fruit body harvesting, whereas free sugars, total ash and C/N ratio increased. As calculated on constant ash basis, 14 and 13.9% of cellulose, 6.6 and 7% of hemicellulose(s) and 4 and 1.5% of lignin were decomposed during the mycelial growth and fructification respectively. Total N decreased by 0.16 and 0.23% during the mycelial growth and fructification respectively. The progressive breakdown of cellulose and hemicellulose(s) was correlated to an apparent increase in the activities of celullase and hemicellulase(s). The trend in development of cellulases and β-glucosidase activities in the substrate during different stages of its growth was demonstrated.