Zn Fortification Influential Impact on the Productivity of Calocybe indica Mycelium

Abstract

Calocybe indica is an edible medicinal mushroom, preferably eaten for its culinary value. It was cultivated for its higher nutritional value, medicinal properties, and high polysaccharide content, especially glucan. Some particular minerals were enriched in food substitutes, an alternative to fighting against some targeted human ailments. Thus, mineral fortification is accessible in the submerged cultivation of mushrooms to produce bioactive compounds and fortified mushrooms. In this study, the submerged cultivation of C. indica was performed to make exopolysaccharides (EPS) using a supplemented medium of Zinc with varying concentrations. Thus, research revealed that the Zn fortification enhances the production of EPS and mycelial biomass after 21 days of incubation. The maximum mycelial biomass was 7.7133±0.30 g/L (dry weight), and the highest 0.3853±0.006EPS was produced in the 175mg/L mineral concentration, respectively. The present study revealed that the Zn supplementation gradually increased the mineral concentration and directly influenced the yield of mycelial biomass and EPS production. These EPS have various biological activities and can be helpful for fortified food or pharmaceutical product development in the medicinal and pharmaceutical sectors.