Agaricus Bisporus Research Articles

Effect of Neem Leaf Powder Supplementation in Casing Mixture on the Growth and Yield Parameters of white Button Mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach

Green mould caused by Trichoderma harzianum is a severe threat of white button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] cultivation causing heavy crop losses. The present experiment was conducted to manage the green mould fungus Trichoderma harzianum using neem leaf extracts. In vitro, results showed maximum mycelial growth inhibition of 64.59 % in T. harzianum using neem leaf extract at 4.5% concentration. Neem leaf extracts at 4.5% concentration showed maximum efficacy against pathogens. Further, an In vivo experiment was conducted to evaluate neem leaf powder at different concentrations @0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5% and 4.5% supplemented in the casing mixture combination viz., Farm yard manure (FYM) + Cocopeat + Sawdust (1:1:1) to monitor the growth and yield aspects of white button mushroom. Among all treatments used in the study, the results revealed that minimum average time taken for completion of spawn run (15.14 days) and pinhead initiation (18.28 days) as well as maximum number of fruiting bodies (14.71), fruiting bodies weight (22.54g), stalk length (2.81 cm) stalk diameter (1.85 cm) and pileus diameter (5.64 cm), and were recorded in T2 [FYM + Cocopeat + Sawdust (1:1:1) + neem leaf powder @ 1.5%]. Results have shown that T2 [FYM + Cocopeat + Sawdust (1:1:1) + neem leaf powder @ 1.5%] had the highest yield (470.09 g) and biological efficiency (27.11%).

Study on the Microbial Mechanisms of Enhancing Agaricus bisporus Growth through Inoculation with Pseudomonas putida

Introducing Pseudomonas putida optimizes the microbial community within the casing layer, thereby enhancing Agaricus bisporus growth. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms governing microbial community succession within the casing layer following microbial agent introduction remained elusive. This study delineated the interplay among microbial populations in the casing layer across the growth cycle of A. bisporus, comparing cohorts treated with P. putida (AP) against untreated controls (CK). The inoculation with Pseudomonas promoted the growth of A. bisporus, shortened its growth cycle, and linearly enhanced the relative abundance of key bacterial genera integral to its growth, including Flavobacterium, Rhodoferax, Pseudarthrobacter, and Vogesella (adjusted R2=0.238-0.866). Importantly, a positive correlation was identified between the proliferation of these beneficial bacteria and positive community cohesion (adjusted R2=0.353-0.838). Additionally, analysis of the symbiotic network topology within the AP group indicated a more stable community following inoculation. The niche results (AP=11.7672±1.8938, CK=11.0481±3.1273, P<0.05) underscored the positive impact of Pseudomonas inoculation on ecosystem dynamics. Concentrations of essential nutrients for A. bisporus growth, notably readily available phosphorus (On day 17, the AP group was 78.8333±1.26623 mg/kg, while the CK group was 30.0333±0.98658 mg/kg) and readily available potassium (On day 17, the AP group was 2693.9±14.79561 mg/kg, while the CK group was 1646.9333±10.71276mg/kg), were significantly elevated in the AP group. These enhancements strongly correlated with the increased abundance of pivotal microbial populations. Our research provided insights into the application of microbial inoculants to enhance the production of edible fungi.

Reassessing the Diversity of the Arthropod-Pathogenic Genus Pandora Batko (Entomophthoromycotina; Erynioideae)

The fungal order Entomophthorales occurs worldwide, with most species infecting arthropods as pathogens. Species in this order can cause epizootics and change the behavior of infected hosts. Molecular data are available only for 20% of the known species, and distributions of species are seldom summarized. Significant diversity of hosts, poor molecular data availability, and poor resolution of the phylogenetic relationships within this fungal order suggest that the diversity of these fungi is not sufficiently described. The subfamily Erynioideae includes 111 arthropod pathogens, divided among six genera, with the genus Pandora being one of the most diverse genera. Sequences of 18S, 28S, and ITS for two species are used to place these Pandora species in a phylogenic tree of the subfamily; this tree also supports our synonymy of the genus Furia with Pandora. Among the two species specifically covered in this paper, Pandora gloeospora was observed during epizootics occurring in mushroom flies (Diptera: Sciaridae) on Agaricus bisporus cultures in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland (US) mushroom farms and also in Florida on Pleurotus sp. Outside the US, P. gloeospora was found infecting several Nematocera (Diptera) in Europe (France) and Asia (China). Pandora sylvestris n. sp. was collected during epizootics occurring in larvae of hickory tussock moths, Lophocampa caryae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), in hardwood forests in Michigan and Vermont.

Parameters of blood metabolites from Brown Swiss cows in production in the Puno Region. An evaluation according to the number of births

Parameters of blood metabolites from Brown Swiss cows in production in the Puno Region. An evaluation according to the number of births

Comparison of acidified and conventional low acid thermal processing of white mushroom in glass jars as influenced by reciprocating agitation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality advantage that can be gained by combining acidified low-acid food thermal processing (ALTP) (pH < 4.6) and reciprocating agitation thermal processing (RATP) of mushroom. Mushroom was selected as a low acid food which is conventionally subjected to low-acid food conventional thermal processing (LACP) (pH > 4.6). Glass jars were used as containers. LACP was established to target a commercial sterilization process (Fo value of 5.0 min at 121.1 °C), while ALTP was established to get an equivalent pasteurization process (Fo value of 10.0 min at 90 °C). Heat penetration data was obtained to establish the above targeted processes and to assess the influence of processing conditions on the heating rate index and heating lag factor. Once processed, the associated quality parameters were evaluated and compared. Process variables included three processing temperatures (115, 120, 125 °C for LACP and 90, 95 and 100 °C for ALTP) and three RATP conditions (0, 1.0 and 2.0 Hz agitation). The results revealed higher rates of heat penetration and lower processing times for both LACP and ALTP processes as the reciprocation frequency increased. Quality retention advantages were realized as the process temperature was increased in each case. The best advantage was delivered with ALTP. Although the rate of heat transfer was the highest at 2.0 Hz, the best quality was observed at a moderate agitation frequency (1.0 Hz) as product texture breakdown was avoided. This is the first study that combined ALTP and RATP and compared them with LACP.

Prevalence of viviparous germination as a function of seasonal conditions and seed phenotypic characteristics in the bottle gourd Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley (Cucurbitaceae)

Selection for resistance to viviparous germination is an important step and one of the most effective strategies for solving the problem of vivipary in orthodox seed species. Vivipary generally occurs when mature fruits are exposed to rain. To understand the existing relationships between seed phenotypic characteristics, seasonal conditions and the prevalence of vivipary in Lagenaria siceraria, experiments were carried out under natural conditions during the short and long rainy seasons of 2014 and 2015. Three main conclusions were drawn from the results. Firstly, yellowish seeds with a soft seed coat without a cap and yellowish seeds with a soft seed coat with a thin cap were more susceptible to vivipary with prevalences of 37.64% and 29.75% respectively. The whitish seeds with a hard seed coat and no cap, the brown seeds with a hard seed coat and no cap, the yellowish seeds with a soft seed coat and a thick cap and the seeds with a soft seed coat and a brown cap did not show vivipary whatever the intensity of the rain preceding harvest. Secondly, although the prevalence of vivipary was affected by the interaction of phenotype and rainy seasons, it explained only 7.57% of the variation. Most of the variation in vivipary prevalence was related to seed phenotype (68.33%) indicating that seed phenotype is the main factor influencing vivipary prevalence in L. siceraria. Finally, vivipary prevalence was strongly and positively correlated with rainfall and humidity in viviparous genotypes, whereas non-viviparous genotypes were not affected by climatic parameters.

Estimating the Effectiveness of some biological agents and Palm biochar in control of Dry bubble disease on the second flush of White mushroom Agaricus bisporus

In a time when technology is present in every aspect of our lives, it is crucial to incorporate advanced solutions to protect sensitive medical data in Social Medical Systems (SMS). This study explores the need to improve security in public healthcare by using advanced technologies to strengthen the weaknesses in the growing field of Social Medical Systems. This study specifically examines the analysis of IoT-23 data using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods, as technology and healthcare converge. The research highlights the increasing significance of technology in healthcare, specifically focusing on the revolutionary emergence of Social Medical Systems. As these interlinked networks reshape the provision of public healthcare services, security challenges such as data breaches, cyber threats, and privacy concerns become crucial barriers that require innovative solutions. The study utilizes a wide range of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques to examine IoT-23 data, offering a detailed comprehension of the security environment in Social Medical Systems. The chosen models comprise Support Vector Machines (SVM), Isolation Forest, Random Forest, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), and Autoencoder. The results and discussions focus on evaluating metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. These metrics provide insights into how effective each model is in identifying vulnerabilities.

Assessing the Impact of Casing Material Thickness on Yield and Biological Efficiency of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica P&amp;C)

Calocybe indica, known as the milky mushroom, has significant potential for agricultural expansion and economic development, particularly in West Bengal, India. This study investigates the impact of different casing material thicknesses (0.5”, 0.75”, 1.0”, and 1.5”) on the yield and biological efficiency of C. indica. Using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), the effects on primordia initiation, sporophore maturation, yield, and biological efficiency were assessed. Results indicated that a casing thickness of 1.0” was optimal, leading to the quickest primordia initiation (10.4 days) and sporophore maturation (9 days), and yielding the highest total yield (717.5 g) and biological efficiency (71.75%). In contrast, thinner and thicker casings resulted in lower yields and efficiencies. The findings suggest that a 1.0” casing thickness significantly enhances C. indica cultivation, providing practical recommendations for commercial mushroom farming. This optimization can support the development of milky mushroom farming in West Bengal, offering new opportunities for local farmers and contributing to regional agricultural diversification and economic growth.

Evaluating Two Fungicides, Prochloraz-Manganese Chloride Complex and Seboctylamine Acetate, to Control Cobweb Disease in White Button Mushroom Caused by Cladobotryum mycophilum.

Cobweb disease in white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is a newly identified disease caused by Cladobotryum mycophilum in China. Currently, there are few highly effective and safe fungicides for controlling this disease in the field. This study assessed the fungicidal effect of prochloraz-manganese chloride complex and seboctylamine acetate against C. mycophilum, as well as their ability to control cobweb disease. Additionally, the residues of these fungicides in the mycelium and the mushroom were evaluated. The extent of the fungicidal effect against the pathogen was determined based on the efficiency of crop production. The results revealed that, in addition to the potent inhibitory effect of prochloraz-manganese chloride complex on the hyphae of C. mycophilum, the domestically developed seboctylamine acetate exhibited high toxicity, inhibiting both mycelial growth and spore germination of C. mycophilum, with EC50 values of 0.990 mg/L and 0.652 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the application of the two chemical agents had no adverse effects on the mycelial growth and fruiting body growth of A. bisporus, and the residual amount of chemical agent was lower than the maximum residue limit standard. The field application results showed that 400 mg/L of prochloraz-manganese chloride complex and 6 mg/L of seboctylamine acetate resulted in 61.38% and 81.17% disease control respectively. This study presents efficient and safe fungicides for controlling cobweb disease in white button mushroom. Additionally, a residue determination analysis of the fungicide seboctylamine acetate in mushroom crops is described.

Assembly of Hydrophobin class I from Agaricus bisporus produced different amyloid-like fibrils

This work studied the extraction, purification, characterization, and assembly of hydrophobin class I from Agaricus bisporus (ABH4). The highest soluble protein concentration was obtained from the pinhead, the extraction and purification were efficient for hydrophobin class I, obtaining a band of 12 kDa. The identified sequence of hydrophobin presented the eight cysteine residues; for the prediction of the structure, hydrophobin presented more alpha helix structures than beta sheets. It was observed that the hydrophobin managed to decrease and increase the contact angle in Teflon and glass, respectively, finding a micellar critical concentration of 221 μg mL−1. ThT experiments demonstrated that the production of fibrils decreased at basic pH, while acidic and neutral pH favoured the formation of fibrils. Likewise, the addition of colloidal Teflon affects the formation of fibrils. Circular dichroism spectra proved that hydrophobin class I undergo changes in its secondary structure, increasing its alpha helix and beta sheet content after vortexing. It was observed that the analysis by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy of the hydrophobin produced different amyloid-like structures in glass and mica.

A Recent Report on Occurrence of Mites on Commercial Mushrooms in Western Himalayas

A Recent Report on Occurrence of Mites on Commercial Mushrooms in Western Himalayas

Comparative Effect of Oyster and Button Mushroom Loaded Phytosomes with Glibenclamide on Renal Function in STZ Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening condition that can affect a vast variety of organ systems, including the kidney. The present study is based on the effect of phytosome-based mushroom extract of oyster and button mushroom on renal functioning factors such urea, uric acid, and creatine as well as the glucose level in streptozocin (STZ) -induced rats with diabetes. The results indicated the blood sugar level was found to decrease significantly in the groups treated with a combination of lactobacillus with phytosomes of oyster mushroom and button mushroom in contrast to a control group of diabetics (p

Effects of Two Types of Estrogen on the Follicular Wave for in Vivo Oocyte Collection in Brown Swiss Cows

The manipulation of follicular waves through hormonal treatments, such as estrogen administration, plays a crucial role in optimizing in-vivo oocyte collection for assisted reproductive technologies. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two specific types of estrogen on follicular wave dynamics and their impact on in-vivo oocyte collection in Brown Swiss cows. Fourteen cows, in their first lactation, weighing approximately 340 kg were randomly assigned to one of two treatments including T1 (estradiol cypionate) and T2 (estradiol benzoate). Both treatments were administered at 1.2 mg of estrogen, at day 0 of the experiment. All Brown Swiss cows were provided with a diet entirely consisting of alfalfa grazing. On day 7, follicular wave dynamics were assessed using a DP-50 vet ultrasound device equipped with a 7.5 MHz transducer for transvaginal follicular aspiration guidance. Follicle counts were categorized into three size ranges including 2-4 mm (small), 4-8 mm (medium), and greater than 8 mm (large). Additionally, the quantity and quality (viable oocytes) of the collected oocytes were evaluated by the Ovum Pick Up (OPU) team for oocyte viability on day 7. The study assessed the follicular dynamics (number of follicles) and efficiency of oocyte collection (viable oocytes) in cows treated with Estradiol Cypionate (T1) and Estradiol Benzoate (T2). The average number of small, medium-sized, and large follicles size were 6.048 ± 6.037, 3.16 ± 2.01, and 0.53 ± 0.67 respectively. The total number of follicles was 9.59 ± 3.56. The mean number of viable oocytes recovered was 3.024 ± 1.66, while the mean number of non-viable oocytes was 1.47 ± 1.01. The results indicated no significant differences between treatments in the size of small, medium, and large follicles, nor in the total number of follicles and viable oocytes recovered. However, a significant difference was observed in the number of non-viable oocytes recovered, with a higher mean in T2 (1.86) compared to T1 (1.09). The results indicated an adequate follicular response and viable oocyte recovery in both treatment groups (estradiol cypionate and estradiol benzoate). However, variations in oocyte viability were observed, with estradiol cypionate showing a slight advantage.

Impact of pulsed light treatment on enzyme inactivation and quality attributes of whole white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and its storage study

Whole white button mushrooms (WWBM) exhibit a limited shelf-life owing to the oxidative enzymatic browning. Inactivation of polyphenol oxidase-PPO and peroxidase-POD in WWBM and its kinetic behavior were studied using pulsed light(PL) treatment (0.13–1.11 J/cm2). The first-order kinetics explained PL-induced enzyme inactivation. Rate constants(k) for PPO and POD were 3.84 and 2.55 cm2/J. FTIR-analysis revealed secondary-structural changes in partially-purified enzyme. PL-treatment retarded browning, retained phenolics and enhanced vitamin D2. PL-treatment at 1.11 J/cm2 rendered WWBM both microbially and enzymatically stable. The PL-treated WWBM's shelf-life at 4, 20, and 37 °C were 5, 3, and 1 day. At 4 °C, browning increased by 6.1 %; firmness decreased by 55.2 %, while PL-treated mushrooms retained 90.6 % phenolics, 78.9 % antioxidant capacity, and 64.2 % D2 after 5 days. Higher activation energy value confirmed phenolics were most sensitive during storage. PL-technology supports UN Sustainable Development Goals by reducing chemical use, lowering carbon-footprints, minimizing pollution, and enhancing shelf-life, promoting sustainable global trade.

Additive efficacy of natural versus synthetic feed additive on cellular immunity and egg quality in layers

Feed additives are the products used in animal diets for the purpose of improving the quality of feed and the quality of food from animal origin or to improve animal performance and health. The present study was planned to evaluate the beneficial effect of two edible dried mushrooms, probiotics, antioxidant and antibiotic on layer performance, cellular immunity, and antioxidant activities under hot climatic conditions. In this trial, three hundred W-98 commercial hens of 35th week of age were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments, replicated five times with 10 hens per replicate for 12 weeks. Dietary treatments were as follows; antibiotic (enramycin) 50g/ 50 kg, probiotics 50g/ 50 kg, antioxidant (ethoxyquine) 60 ppm, organic acid 50g / 50 kg; Oyster mushroom and button mushroom 1% of feed bag. The data revealed that initial, final body weight, egg production (%) and feed intake, egg specific gravity, egg shape index, egg yolk index and shell thickness and livability were non-significant (p&lt;0.05) in all treatments. Egg weight, feed to egg mass ration, Haugh unit and damaged eggs were significantly (p&gt;0.05) higher among different treatment groups. Total anti-oxidative capacity was significantly (p&gt;0.05) higher in ethoxyquine, followed by oyster mushroom, button mushroom, negative control (without any feed additives), probiotics and enramycin (positive control / antibiotic). Antioxidant parameters like super oxide dismutase was significantly (p&gt;0.05) higher in ethoxyquine followed by probiotics, oyster mushroom, button mushroom, negative control, and positive control treatments groups. Immunity parameters like catalase (interferon gamma) was non-significant (p&gt;0.05) in all treatment’s groups. IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in oyster mushroom and ethoxyquine followed by probiotics, button mushroom, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). IL-10 (Interleukin-10) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in button mushroom, oyster mushroom and probiotics followed by ethoxyquine, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). On whole mushrooms are effective feed additives in poultry production IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in oyster mushroom and ethoxyquine followed by probiotics, button mushroom, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). IL-10 (Interleukin-10) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in button mushroom, oyster mushroom and probiotics followed by ethoxyquine, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). On whole mushrooms are effective feed additives in poultry production

225 Kidney function and nitrogen excretion in Brown Swiss and Holstein dairy cows

Abstract The agricultural sector contributes to nitrogen (N) emissions since farm animals excrete considerable N amounts via feces and urine. To reduce N emissions by dairy cattle, methods predicting accurately individual N emissions are of great interest. Recent data showed that Brown Swiss (BS) cows have greater urea concentrations in milk and blood than Holstein (HO) cows. However, it is still unknown if greater BUN concentrations in a particular breed are congruently reflected by concomitantly increased contents of nitrogenous compounds in other media (e.g., urine and saliva). Thus, the present study simultaneously assessed biomarkers for kidney function like urea, and creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations in several body fluids (i.e., blood, urine, milk, and saliva) as well as nitrogen excretion in feces in BS and HO cows under identical feeding conditions. Blood, saliva, urine, and feces were sampled in 31 multiparous BS and 46 HO cows kept under identical feeding and management conditions. Samples were collected at different lactational stages after the monthly DHIA control test-day. Concentrations of urea and creatinine were measured in serum, urine, and saliva. Symmetric dimethylarginine was determined in serum, which is an established indicator for glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Feces were analyzed for dry matter content and nitrogen concentrations. Data on milk urea and protein concentrations, and daily milk yield were obtained from the monthly DHIA test-day records. The effects of breed, time, and parity number on blood, saliva, urine, feces, and milk parameters were evaluated with the GLM procedure with breed, time, and parity number as fixed effects. Differences between BS and HO were assessed by the Tukey-corrected t-test at P &amp;lt; 0.05. Dry matter intake and body weight were similar in BS and HO cows (P &amp;gt; 0.05). No differences between BS and HO were observed for milk yield, fecal DM and nitrogen content. BS cows showed greater urea concentration (25.8 ± 0.7 vs 21.8 ± 0.7 mg/dL), and protein content in milk (3.70 ± 0.08 vs 3.45 ± 0.07%) than HO cows (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Concentrations of urea, creatinine, and SDMA in serum, were greater in BS than in HO cows (P &amp;lt; 0.01) with 5.46 ± 0.19 vs 4.72 ± 0.13 mmol/L for urea, 105.96 ± 2.23 vs 93.07 ± 1.50 mmol/l creatinine, and 16.78 ± 0.69 vs 13.39 ± 0.44 µg/dL SDMA, respectively. Urea and creatinine concentrations in urine and saliva did not differ among breeds. Despite greater urea and creatinine concentrations in blood, and milk urea content in BS compared with HO, excretion of these parameters did not differ between breeds in urine. Our results suggest a reduced renal glomerular filtration rate in BS compared with HO. The underlying mechanisms require further investigations.

198 Discovery of key functional SNP markers associated with feed efficiency in beef cattle

Abstract Beef production contributes to approximately 2.4% of the total Greenhouse Gas emissions in Canada. Improving beef cattle feed efficiency (FE) may lead to improved energy partitioning and resource use, thereby improving the sustainability of the beef industry. Our objective was to identify differentially expressed key regulatory genes and associated novel functional SNP markers linked to FE in Canadian beef cattle using RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) of rumen tissue collected from 48 beef cattle [n = 16 Angus, n = 16 Charolais, n = 16 Kinsella (Composite Hybrid including Angus, Charolais, Galloway, Hereford, Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Simmental)] selected for extreme FE phenotypes. In total, 11 key regulatory genes (MYH1, MYL2, MYLPF, TNNC2, EIF4B, RHOD, TCEANC, CKM, ENSBTAG00000040518, SERPINB2, and USP43) were significantly differentially expressed (DE) between extreme Residual Feed Intake (RFI) groups (low-RFI n = 8, high-RFI n = 8 per breed) using CLC Genomics Workbench (FDR &amp;lt; 0.05; |FC| &amp;gt;2). Using an optimized RNA-Seq variant calling pipeline using STAR and BCFtools, a total of [total (unique to low-RFI, unique to high-RFI)] 75 (36, 39), 78 (42, 36), and 53 (35, 18) uniquely fixed functional SNPs were located within coding regions of these 11 functional candidate genes, in low- and high-RFI animals in the Angus, Charolais, and Kinsella breeds, respectively. Considering all functional SNPs uniquely identified in low- or high-RFI groups for all breed comparisons, the majority of SNPs were identified in MYH1, EIF4B, and SERPINB2 genes, which function together in metabolically demanding biological processes (P &amp;lt; 0.05) related to muscle contraction, muscle system, and muscle filament function processes. Additionally, EIF4B and SERPINB2 genes were found to have a role in signaling pathways that coordinate cell growth and immune function, respectively. Using RNA-Seq to identify key regulatory genes and associated functional SNPs linked to FE may uncover important genetic markers that influence the regulation of FE in beef cattle.

Benchmarking claw health across three dairy cow breeds in 508 dairy farms using numerical claw health indicators

Currently, prevalence and incidence of claw lesions are used as parameters for benchmarking claw health. The aims of this study were to create a benchmarking system for claw health utilizing the claw health indicators Farm-Claw-Score (FCS) for the herd and Cow-Claw-Score (CCS) for the individual animal, and to benchmark claw health of the three predominant dairy cattle breeds in Austria. Claw health data from 17,642 cows from 508 Austrian dairy farms were analyzed. The CCS and FCS were calculated based on recorded claw lesions and their three severity levels using geometrically weighted scoring. The FCS of each of the dairy farms was classified into five percentile thresholds (P10, P25, P50, P75, P90), with the FCS calculated using the median value of CCS in each herd. Furthermore, claw health was benchmarked for three breeds (Fleckvieh, Holstein, Brown Swiss cows), using claw lesion prevalences and CCS values.When the median FCS was calculated, dairy farms in P50 and below had an FCS of 20.0, indicating very good claw health. However, P90 farms showed an FCS-MEDIAN of 67.5. Evaluation of the prevalences of the 14 claw lesions considered and the CCS values revealed that Fleckvieh cows (CCS-MEDIAN: 24.0), followed closely by Holstein cows (CCS-MEDIAN: 22.7) had significantly poorer claw health (P < 0.0001) compared to Brown Swiss cows (CCS-MEDIAN: 12.0). The use of CCS and FCS as primary claw health indicators allowed for a quick assessment of the current state of an individual cow and a dairy herd in a benchmarking system. Detailed information on the claw health of each animal and the dairy herd can be easily reviewed by examining diagnosis lists that display prevalences, particularly those related to lameness, in the respective electronic documentation systems.

Para-coumaric acid and cinnamic acid enhance resistance of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms to Brown blotch disease caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii

The effects of postharvest pre-treatments with para-coumaric acid (PCA) and cinnamic acid (CA) against brown blotch disease in Agaricus bisporus mushrooms caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii were investigated. PCA and CA at the concentration of 300 mg L−1 provided the highest inhibition ratio of 28.9% and 20.9%, respectively, on the in vitro growth of P. tolaasii. In addition, PCA and CA pre-treatments dramatically reduced the P. tolaasii-caused brown blotch disease in postharvest A. bisporus. Biochemical analysis revealed that PCA and CA inhibited P. tolaasii-induced activation of polyphenol oxidase and melanin production, increased activities of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase, promoted phenylpropanoid biosynthetic enzyme activities and metabolite production, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde content in A. bisporus mushrooms. Collectively, these results demonstrated that PCA and CA can induce resistance to postharvest brown blotch disease in A. bisporus mushrooms, and have good prospects for disease control in edible mushrooms.

Rapid Risk Assessment of the Detection of Listeria Monocytogenes in Enoki Mushrooms

This rapid assessment has been requested to inform a decision by FSA Policy whether a temporary overarching risk management response to the commodity (enoki mushrooms) is necessary. Cultivated enoki mushrooms are deprived of light and grown in a CO2-rich environment. Commercially grown enoki mushrooms are grown in hard wood sawdust that is impregnated with the spores. The sawdust is usually good for four or five crops of mushrooms. The mushrooms are encouraged to grow long and thin by placing glass tubes over them. This produces a pale white mushroom with long, slender stems, up to five inches in length, and small caps. Whilst specific practices may vary, generally the initial growing environment is humid with a temperature between 22°C – 25°C, followed by lowering the temperature to 7°C – 12°C whilst maintaining humidity. It is this change in temperature that causes the mycelium to form fruiting bodies that grow into mature mushrooms which are harvested after about 90 days (Pereira et al., 2023). The species Flammulina filiformis, known and sold in different regions as “enoki”/“enokitake” Japan, “jingu” (China), “futu” (India), “paengi beoseot” (Korea), “nám kim cham” (Vietnam) also grows wild throughout a broad natural range on the rotting wood of a range of common trees, although wild-growing mushrooms appear quite different. The majority of enoki mushrooms on sale appear to be commercially cultivated and fresh rather than wild mushrooms. It is unknown if wild enoki mushrooms present a similar L. monocytogenes risk to cultivated mushrooms. Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes, can be present in the soil (Linke et al., 2014), and are common in natural and urban environments (Orsi and Wiedmann, 2016). Contamination and proliferation is possible during cultivation but also during harvesting and packing (uncertainty).