Pleurotus Sajor-caju Research Articles

Assessment of the prebiotic potential and bioactive components of common edible mushrooms in India and formulation of synbiotic microcapsules

Pleurotus spp. are listed among “mushroom nutraceutical” accredited to their nutritional and medicinal attributes. In this present study, five different common edible mushrooms i.e., Pleurotus (P.) ostreatus, Pleurotus (P.) florida, Pleurotus (P.) sajor-caju, Agaricus (A.) bisporus and Lentinus (L.) edodes were screened for the highest prebiotic content. Their beneficial bioactive (eritadenine, flavonoid and polyphenol) and prebiotic (β-glucan and inulin) components were quantified by different biochemical and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The mushroom extracts were then evaluated for their compatibility with the potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus (E.) faecium and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) to formulate synbiotic microcapsules. P. florida extract showed highest β-glucan and very high inulin content so it could act as a great source of prebiotics. Besides, the extract from P. florida contained the highest concentration of eritadenine and was also found to be most compatible with E. faecium, confirmed by its high prebiotic activity score in comparison with the commercial prebiotic i.e., inulin. Furthermore, the probiotics selected for the formulations of the microcapsules have high potential for therapeutic applications, antihypertensive and hypocholestromeic activity. Therefore, the formulated microcapsules as such or when incorporated into food matrices (therapeutic food) might be effective in decreasing blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

Antioxidant Properties and Antimicrobial Activity in the Extracts of Two Edible Mushroom, <i>Pleurotus sajor caju</i> and <i>Schizophyllum commune</i>

Extracts of two edible mushrooms, Pleurotus sajor-caju (commercial) and Schizophyllum commune (wild) were used to compare the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Aqueous and three types of organic solvents, like 50% of ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts were used in trial. DPPH scavenging activity in P. sajor-caju extract was determined in the range of 53.13% to 85.08%, whereas extracts of S. commune were observed in the range of 54.11% to 97.19% at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The highest DPPH scavenging activity of 97.19% was observed in ethanol extract of S. commune (97.19%), higher than butyl hydroxytoluene (BTH). Half effective concentration (EC50) in extracts of P. sajor-caju was found in the range of 1.47 to 4.23 mg/ml and that of S. commune in the range of 1.52 to 4.52 mg/ml. The reducing power of P. sajor caju aqueous concentration extract was found to be the closest of 3.353 (700 nm) that of antioxidant activity to BHT (3.445) at 2 mg/ml concentration. The best reducing power EC50 was obtained in P. sajor caju aqueous extract (0.09 mg/ml), but in S. commune with acetone extract (0.22 mg/ml). Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was compared in extracts of mushrooms in various Vibrio species. All extracts were able to inhibit V. harveyi growth with MIC of lower than 1.25 mg/ml. In aqueous and methanol extracts of current study showed that bacteria inhibition activity occurred at the concentration of P. sajor-caju was able to act as reducing agent as functional as the commercial antioxidant agent, BHT. Crude extracts of P. sajor-caju and S. commune were observed to contain antibacterial potential against these mentioned Vibrio bacteria.

Compounds extracted from solid fermentation of Pleurotus sajor‐caju for application as a natural antibacterial agent

Edible mushrooms have been the object of studies regarding their bioactive properties, acting mainly in the pharmaceutical and food areas. This study aimed at the production, extraction and purification of antibacterial compounds from Pleurotus sajor-caju. The identification of these compounds occurred by analysis via FT-Raman spectroscopy. Antibacterial extraction had a positive response, resulting in two compounds. The compound extracted at 25°C inhibited the development of Staphylococcus aureus by 52.7 ± 2.7 (%). The compound had a molecular size greater than 100 kDa and a possibly little branched structure. At a temperature of 60°C, the compound with the greatest antagonistic activity against Escherichia coli, reduced its development by 74.3 ± 1.8 (%). The compound was possibly a linear or slightly branched chain biomolecule and molecular weight between 50 and 100 kDa. According to the literature, it is estimated that the extracted compounds refer to β-glucan structures. Novelty impact statement The extract showed potential of inhibition above 50% for gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. The purification processes were efficient, reaching a 23.5-fold increase in bioactive capacity. It is estimated that different β-glucan structures were extracted.

Assessment of Microbiological Safety and Physicochemical Changes of Grey Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) during Storage at 4 °C and 25 °C

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical properties of grey oyster mushroom during storage (day 0, 3, 6, 9, 12) at 4 °C and 25 °C. The microbial quality and safety analyses were aerobic plate count (APC), yeast and mould count, Escherichia coli count, Bacillus cereus count, and Listeria monocytogenes count, while the physicochemical analyses were pH, water activity, colour, and firmness. Grey oyster mushroom stored at 4 °C showed increasing trend in all microbial counts. A similar trend was observed at 25 °C, but with higher microbial counts except for L. monocytogenes which had a slight reduction from 1.82 ± 1.16 at day 0 to 0.24 ± 0.34 log CFU/g at day 6. The pH of grey oyster mushroom was quite stable when stored at 4 °C (6.42 ± 0.03 at day 0 to 6.46 ± 0.21 at day 12). A decrease in pH was observed when the mushroom was stored at 25 °C (6.42 ± 0.03 at day 0 to 5.38 ± 0.93 at day 6). The Browning Index (BI) increased which indicated by the colour changes on the mushroom cap (front and back) especially at 25 °C. Firmness analysis carried out on mushroom cap and stalk showed a decreasing trend during storage, at which 25 °C displayed prominent loss of firmness in cap and stalk as compared to 4 °C. In conclusion, slower deterioration was observed in grey oyster mushroom stored at 4 °C as compared to 25 °C. This is based on lower microbial counts, and minimal changes in pH, BI, and firmness of grey oyster mushroom.

Detoxification of coir pith through refined vermicomposting engaging Eudrilus eugeniae

Hazardous coir industrial waste, coir pith has been subjected to 50 days vermicomposting with Eudrilus eugeniae by amending nitrogenous legume plant, Gliricidia sepium together with cattle dung in different combinations, after 21 days precomposting using Pleurotus sajor-caju spawn. An increase in electrical conductivity, total NPK and calcium, and a decrease in organic matter, total organic carbon, C/N ratio, C/P ratio and total phenolic content in the final vermicompost were observed. Dehydrogenase, urease and cellulase activity peaked up to 30 days of vermicomposting and then declined. The phytotoxicity studies with Brassica juncea, C/N ratio and enzyme activities confirmed the stability and maturity of vermicompost. The results also demonstrated that the 2:3:1 ratio (coir pith + Gliricidia sepium + cow dung) is a suitable effective combination for nutrient-rich (N: 2.43%; P: 0.92%; K: 2.09%) vermicompost production. The total phenolic contents declined during the vermicomposting with a lower final content of 21.26 mg/g GAE in 2:3:1 combination of substrates from the initial level (105.56 mg/g GAE). Besides, the concentration of total phenol contents inversely related to the germination index of Brassica juncea (r = -0.761), indicating that the phenolic content could also play an important role in phytotoxicity. Growth and fecundity of Eudrilus eugeniae in 2:3:1 combination revealed the acceptability and rapid decomposition of coir pith substrate into vermifertilizer.

Bioethanol production from grass pea and wild oat hydrolysates using S.cerevisiae ETP53, K. marxianus ETP87, and P. fermentans ETP22

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into bioethanol is essential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. After the grass pea and wild oat straws were characterized, they were hydrolyzed by live fungi (in situ), crude fungal enzymes, and chemical methods (sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acids at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3%). The fungi used for in situ degradation and crude lignocellulosic enzymes were Aspergillus niger JMC22344, Trichoderma reesei JMC22, Pleurotus ostreatus M2191, and Pleurotus sajor-caju M2145. Furfural content of hydrolysates was analyzed by GC–MS. The potential of activated charcoal, overliming, and sequential activated charcoal-overliming potential to reduce furfural in the acid hydrolysates were evaluated. The hydrolysates were fermented by S. cerevisiae ETP53, K. marxianus ETP87, and P. fermentans ETP22. Sulphuric acid hydrolyzed common wild oat (8.91 g/L) yielded higher sugars than NaOH (3.88 g/L) and NaOH treated wild oat (8.14 g/L) was superior in terms of sugars released than grass pea (4.21 g/L). P. ostreatus M2191 liberated the highest sugar (18.63 g/L) extracts than T. reesei JMC22676, A. niger ETP22344 and P. sajor-caju M2145. The 23–77% of the furfural in acid hydrolysates was reduced by overliming, activated charcoal, and the sequential activated charcoal-overliming. Yeasts produced optimal ethanol from straws hydrolyzed by crude enzymes from A. niger JMC22344. Generally, the ethanol titer was directly proportional to the amount of sugars released.

Structural Analysis of a Polysaccharide Isolated from the Alkali Extract of an Edible Mushroom, <i>Pleurotus sajor-caju,</i> Cultivar Black Japan

A heteropolysaccharide (PS-I) and an insoluble glucan (PS-II) were isolated from the alkaline extract of an edible mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju, cultivar Black Japan. The polysaccharide (PS-I) was found to consist of D-glucose and D-galactose in a molar ratio of 3:1. Based on total acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and NMR experiments (1H, 13C, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established.

Determination of Bioactive Properties of Alcohol Extracts of Types of Pleurotus sajor-caju and Pleurotus ostreatus

In this study, alcohol extracts of Pleurotus sajor-caju and Pleurotus ostreatus which are edible mushroom species were obtained and their extract contents were determined by GC-MS. Antioxidant content of these alcohol extracts were determined with 2-2-diphenyl, 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Antimicrobial activity of alcohol extracts were determined on Klebsiella oxycota, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynobacterium diphtheria, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria, and Rhodotorula glutinis and Candida albicans yeasts. Moreover, this study indicated the anti-quorum sensing activity of the tested mushroom extracts against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. P. sajor-caju and P. ostreatus alcohol extract compositions were determined with GC-MS. According to GC-MS results, 20 different compounds were found in P. sajor-caju and P. ostreatus alcohol extract. Hexadeconoic acid, linoleic acid, octadecanolacid,2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester and palmitic acid were found in both mushroom extracts. Because they contain a high content of fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and terpenoids, these extracts can be used both as antimicrobial, anticancerogenic, antioxidant and antiaging agents or can be consumed as a food supplements.

Antiviral, Cytotoxic, and Antioxidant Activities of Three Edible Agaricomycetes Mushrooms: Pleurotus columbinus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, and Agaricus bisporus.

In this study, we investigated aqueous extracts of three edible mushrooms: Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom), Pleurotus columbinus (oyster mushroom), and Pleurotus sajor-caju (grey oyster mushroom). The extracts were biochemically characterized for total carbohydrate, phenolic, flavonoid, vitamin, and protein contents besides amino acid analysis. Triple TOF proteome analysis showed 30.1% similarity between proteomes of the two Pleurotus spp. All three extracts showed promising antiviral activities. While Pleurotus columbinus extract showed potent activity against adenovirus (Ad7, selectivity index (SI) = 4.2), Agaricus bisporus showed strong activity against herpes simplex II (HSV-2; SI = 3.7). The extracts showed low cytotoxicity against normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and moderate cytotoxicity against prostate (PC3, DU-145); colorectal (Colo-205); cecum carcinoma (LS-513); liver carcinoma (HepG2); cervical cancer (HeLa); breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) as well as leukemia (CCRF-CEM); acute monocytic leukemia (THP1); acute promyelocytic leukemia (NB4); and lymphoma (U937) cell lines. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-Ethylbenzthiazolin-6-Sulfonic Acid) ABTS radical cation scavenging, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. The three extracts showed potential antioxidant activities with the maximum activity recorded for Pleurotus columbinus (IC50 µg/mL) = 35.13 ± 3.27 for DPPH, 13.97 ± 4.91 for ABTS, and 29.42 ± 3.21 for ORAC assays.

Detailed bioenergy investigation of Brazil biomass waste after biochemical process

The bagasse products generated after the extraction process have significant use in several industrial sectors however its application in the energy sector stands out, avoiding the use of fossil fuels. In this study an enzymatic process was applied through the Pleurotus sajor-caju fungus, for decomposition of the lignin present in the sugarcane bagasse, with the objective of improving the kinetic and bioenergetic parameters of this biomass. Detailed analyzes were carried out, such as kinetic, morphological, elementary and calorific, to verify its quality as biofuel. Values of Ea =31 kJ/mol to 65 kJ/mol, A = 1.4 105 s −1 to 3.0 105 s −1, ΔH = 26 kJ/mol to 60 kJ/mol, ΔG = 124 kJ/mol to 154 kJ/mol and ΔS = 150 J/mol to 157 J/mol for the conversion range (α) from 0.20 to 0.95, were obtained, with little variability in thermo-kinetic parameters. The HHV and fixed carbon values were 19.37 MJ/kg and 83.1%, respectively, demonstrating that this sugar cane residue has the potential to be used as a solid biofuel, after its use in the production of Pleurotus sajor-caju fungi, thus allowing to create more economic value in the sugar cane transformation chain.

Pro-Health and Anti-Cancer Activity of Fungal Fractions Isolated from Milk-Supplemented Cultures of Lentinus (Pleurotus) Sajor-caju.

The present study aimed to demonstrate Lentinus (formerly Pleurotus) sajor-caju (PSC) as a good source of pro-health substances. It has also shown that supplementation of its culture medium with cow milk may further improve its beneficial properties. Intracellular fractions from fungi grown on a medium supplemented with cow milk were analyzed using various biochemical methods for determination of the nutrient composition. Furthermore, anti-cancer properties of selected extracts were investigated on colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29, LS 180, and SW948) in vitro. Biochemical analysis showed enrichment in health-enhancing compounds, such as proteins or polysaccharides (about 3.5- and 4.5-fold increase in concentration of proteins and carbohydratesin extracts of mycelia cultured on whole milk (PSC2-I), respectively), with a decrease in the level of free radicals (10-fold decrease in extract grown on milk and medium mixture (1:1) (PSC3-II)), which was related to increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity (7.5-fold increase in catalase activity and 5-fold in SOD activity in PSC3-II compared to the control). Moreover, the viability of the cancer cells was diminished (to 60.0 ± 6.8% and 40.0 ± 8.6% of the control, on HT-29 and SW948 cells, respectively), along with pro-apoptotic (to 18.8 ± 11.8 and 14.7 ± 8.0% towards LS 180 and SW948 cells, respectively) and NO-secreting effects (about 2-fold increase) of the extracts. This study suggests that PSC has multiple nutritional and anti-cancer properties and can be used as a source of healthy biomolecules in modern medicine or functional foods.

Increasing the yield attributing character of different species of Pleurotus through hybridization

Interspecific hybridization studies were carried out between Pleurotus sajor-caju , P. sapidus and P.flabellatus for obtaining better quality strains. Out of 48 crosses, only five inter specific crosses of P. sajor-caju x P. sapidus and four inters specific crosses of P. sajor-caju x P. flabellatus were compatible. Inter specific crossing between P. sapidus and P. flabellatus failed to show any compatible reaction. The compatible crosses were tested for evaluating their growth characteristics on MEA media and the cross SC2S1 have shown significantly higher mycelial growth rate (8.89 cm) which was followed by the cross SC1S1 (8.66 cm). The obtained hybrid crosses have shown denser and regular growth with floccose, cottony and aerial mycelial texture and also showed off-white, pure white and yellowish white in colony colour. Out of nine dikaryotic strains, the cross SC2S1 ( P. sajor-caju x P. sapidus ) was the best strain among all the obtained hybrid strains and its parental strains interms of number of days required for spawn run (11.50 days), number of days required for pin head formation (15.50 days), days required for harvesting (18.50 days), total number of fruiting body (214.00), weight of the individual fruiting body (20.00 g), total yield per bag (0.95 kg) and biological efficiency (95.00%). Whereas in terms of stipe diameter, the cross SC2F2 ( P. sajor-caju x P.flabellatus ) has shown maximum stipe diameter (3.50 cm) as compared to other dikaryotic strain and its parental strain and among the dikaryotic strain the cross SC1S2 ( P. sajor-caju x P. sapidus ) have shown significantly higher stipe length (6.41 cm), which was also higher than their respected parents. Maximum cap size (6.73 cm) was recorded in the cross SC1F2 ( P. sajor-caju x P. flabellatus ) which was significantly higher than the other dikaryotic strain and its parental strain. During sensory evaluations, the product B ( P. sajor-caju x P. flabellatus ) was rated better than the global mean in overall acceptance (8.56), taste (8.90), flavour (7.90), colour (7.40) and appearance (8.13), with highest score in all the sensory parameters followed by Product A ( P. sajor-caju x P. sapidus ). While the lowest score was obtained by P. sapidus (product D) followed by P. flabellatus (product E) and P. sajorcaju (product C).

The Nutritional Value Enhancement of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches as Animal Feed Using the Fungus Coprinus Comatus, with Different Numbers of Inoculums and Incubation Times

This study aimed to increase the nutritional value of oil palm empty bunches (EFB) as ruminant animal feed by using biological treatment. To achieve this, five fungi species were used, including Trametes Versicolor, Lentinula edodes, Coprinus comatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, and Trichoderma sp, which were inoculated for 20 days. Furthermore, the study consisted of 2 stages, in the first, the five species were tested for their degradability to lignin. In the second, the results were analyzed for their degradation ability by treating several numbers of inoculums (0.5 ml, 0.75 ml, and 1.0 ml) at different incubation times (20, 30, and 40 days). The results showed that the fungi treatment gave different lignin levels of oil palm empty fruit bunches compared to others. Furthermore, treatment with Coprinus comatus fungi produced the lowest lignin and the highest cellulose levels than others. This species works well compared to other fungi in the delignification of oil palm empty fruit bunches. With the use of Coprinus comatus, the lowest lignin and highest cellulose levels were obtained in a 0.5 ml inoculum treatment and at 30 days incubation time, however, there was no interaction. Conclusively, this study indicated that the application of Coprinus comatus to oil palm empty fruit bunches reduces lignin levels and increases cellulose by 22.04% and 20%, respectively. Consequently, there is an improved nutritional value of oil palm empty fruit bunches.

Effect of extraction conditions (temperature, pH and time) by cellulase on chemical properties of dried oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) extract

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) is known to be highly nutritious food. However, the understanding of its quality and food products produced from it are still very limited. With the desire to increase the value of oyster mushroom and to create an intermediate product with high nutrients content for further processing, a cellulase enzyme-assisted extract of dried oyster mushroom was investigated. The effects of extraction conditions in terms of temperature (40, 45, 50, 55oC), pH (4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0) and extraction time (4, 6, 8, 10 hrs) on nutrients and bioactive compounds of extract were studied. The results showed that the highest extraction efficiency was obtained at 50oC, pH 5.5 and 8 hrs of hydrolysis. The Brix of the extract was 2.53. In 100 g dry matter of extract, the content of saccharose, reducing sugar, total protein, amino acids, lysine, β-glucan, total phenolic and total flavonoid was 15.13 g, 19.41 g, 43.65 g, 7.96 g, 0.82 g, 10.63 mg, 62.60 mg TAE, 5.54 mg QE, respectively. The highest antioxidant capacity of the extract determined by Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP assay) was 165.50 mM Fe2+/100 g dry matter and that measured by scavenging 2,2 -diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals was 69.32%.

Enhancement of Laccase Production by Optimizing the Cultural Conditions for Pleurotus sajor-caju in Solid-State Fermentation

Nowadays, a lot of interest has been given to the development of cost-effective and efficient enzyme production technologies. Laccase enzymes are widely used in biotechnological, environmental and industrial sectors. Due to the cost-effectiveness of the solid-state fermentation (SSF) process, it is widely used to produce a broad range of biological products. In this study, optimization of moisture content, temperature, pH, and inoculum size were studied to enhance laccase production ability of Pleurotus sajor-caju in SSF by using One Factor At Time (OFAT) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). OFAT was used as a baseline study for deducing the experimental design of RSM. The highest production of laccase enzyme (1450 U/g) by Pleurotus sajor-caju on wheat straw was observed at 26°C, 6.0 pH, 72.5 % moisture content, 7.5% inoculum size, 1% fructose and 0.5 % peptone. Unlike the conventional inoculum preparation method, here the inoculum was generated by the spawning method for SSF. The molecular weight of partially purified laccase from Pleurotus sajor-caju was estimated to be around 62 K Da using SDS PAGE. The activity staining of laccase was observed as a zymogram on Native PAGE using ABTS as a substrate. Lignin degradation of wheat straw and its structural disruption due to laccase was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

The Effects of Sago (Metroxylon sagu) Bark and Frond Waste as Substrates on the Growth and Yield of Grey Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-caju)

This study was carried out to examine the effects of sago bark (SB) and sago frond (SF) waste on the growth and yield of grey oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-caju). Nine substrate formulas were studied, including sawdust (SD) alone as a control and the combination of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 ratios between SD and SB or SF. The results showed a significant difference in the total colonisation period, total fruiting body yield, and biological efficiency (BE). However, an insignificant difference was determined in the characteristics of the fruiting body for different substrate formulas. The substrates with the ratio of 50SD:50SF and 100 SD are the most suitable substrate formulas for the cultivation of P. sajor-caju. One hundred (100) SD achieved the fastest total colonisation period (24.44 days) but there was no significant difference with 75SD:25SF (24.78 days) and also obtained the fastest first harvest (50.33 days). However, 100SD produced a significantly lower total fruiting body yield (77.99 g/bunch) compared to 50SD:50SF, which produced the highest total yield (88.09 g/ bunch) and highest BE (17.62%) with a short total colonisation period (26.45 days). The substrates produced high values in cap diameter, stipe length, and effective fruiting bodies.

The optimization of enzymatic oxidation of levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic for wastetwater treatment.

The global presence of antibiotics in the environment has created concerns about the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria and potential hazard to humans and the ecosystem. This work aims to study the removal of levofloxacin, a new generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic from aqueous solutions by enzyme mediated oxidation process and optimization of the conditions thereof by response surface methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken design (BBD). For this study, experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of independent variables namely, pH, temperature, mediator concentration and antibiotic concentration on the degradation percentage of levofloxacin antibiotic using laccase enzyme derived from Trametes versicolor. The residual levofloxacin concentration was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). On applying the quadratic regression analysis, among the main parameters, it was found that the percentage degradation was significantly affected by all the four variables. The predicted values for percentage degradation of levofloxacin were close to the experimental values obtained and the R2 (0.95) indicated that the regression was able to give a good prediction of response for the percentage degradation of levofloxacin in the studied range. The optimal conditions for the maximum degradation (99.9%) as predicted by the BBD were: temperature of 37°C, pH of 4.5, mediator concentration of 0.1mM and levofloxacin concentration of 5μgmL-1. The findings of the study were further extended to study the effect of partially purified enzymes isolated from Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus sajor caju on the degradation of levofloxacin at concentrations ranging from as low as 0.1 to as high as 50µgmL-1 in synthetic wastewater utilizing the optimized conditions generated by BBD. A maximum degradation of 88.8% was achieved with the partially purified enzyme isolated from Pleurotus eryngii at 1µgmL-1 levofloxacin concentration which was at par with the commercial laccase which showed 89% degradation in synthetic wastewater at the optimized conditions. The biodegradation studies were conducted using only 2 units of laccase. Thus, the expensive commercial laccase can be effectively replaced by crude laccase isolated from indigenous macrofungi such as P. eryngii, P. florida and P. sajor caju as a cost effective alternative to degrade levofloxacin present in contaminated wastewater using as low as 2 units of enzyme for a 72h treatment period.

Tandem mass tag-based proteomics for studying the effects of a biotechnologically produced oyster mushroom against hepatic steatosis in obese Zucker rats

Hepatic steatosis is a very common response to liver injury and often attributed to metabolic disorders. Prior studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a biotechnologically produced oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju, PSC) in alleviating hepatic steatosis in obese Zucker rats. This study aims to elucidate molecular events underlying the anti-steatotic effects of PSC. Tandem mass tag (TMT) peptide labeling coupled with LC-MS/MS/MS was used to quantify and compare proteins in the livers of lean Zucker rats fed a control diet (LC), obese Zucker rats fed the same control diet (OC) and obese Zucker rats fed the control diet supplemented with 5% PSC (OPSC) for 4 weeks. Using this technique 3128 proteins could be quantified, out of which 108 were differentially abundant between the OPSC and OC group. Functional enrichment analysis of the up-regulated proteins showed that these proteins were mainly involved in metabolic processes, while the down-regulated proteins were involved in inflammatory processes. Results from proteomic analysis were successfully validated for two up-regulated (carbonic anhydrase 3, regucalcin) and two down-regulated (cadherin-17, ceruloplasmin) proteins by means of immunoblotting. SignificanceValorization of low-grade agricultural waste by edible fungi, such as the mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju (PSC), represents a promising strategy for the production of protein rich biomass since they boast of a unique enzyme system that has the ability to recover nutrients and energy from biodegradable waste. Herein, we describe the metabolic effects of PSC feeding using a combined quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics approach. In total, 108 proteins were identified to be regulated by PSC feeding in the liver of the obese rats. Complementary usage of a bioinformatics approach allowed us to decipher the mechanisms underlying the recently observed lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory activity of PSC feeding in obese Zucker rats, namely a reduction of fatty acid synthesis, an improvement of hepatoprotective mechanisms and an enhancement of anti-inflammatory effects.

Pleurotus sajor caju Mediated TiO2 Nanoparticles: A Novel Source for Control of Mosquito Larvae, Human Pathogenic Bacteria and Bone Cancer Cells

The present work was aimed to screen the antibacterial, anticancer and mosquito-larvicidal potentials of the titanium dioxide mediated nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) from the Pleurotus sajor caju fruiting bodies. The synthesized TiO2NPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectrum, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, HRTEM, Zeta potential and Particle size analyses. The XRD pattern show pure crystalline nature of the TiO2NPs and spherical shape morphology was noted. The average size of nanoparticles was 85 nm and Zeta potential analysis, resulted the surface charge of the nanomaterial was − 8.05 mV. The larvicidal activity of TiO2NPs treated IVth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus showed better LC50 and LC90 values (14.56, 26.56 and 12.76, 24.38 mg/l). The broad spectrum of antibacterial activity was observed both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and maximum growth inhibition zone was recorded in Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.0 ± 0.3 mm) followed by other tested organisms. The anticancer activity [bone cancer (MG-63) cell line] of TiO2NPs expressed best IC50 value as 61.34 µg/ml, which conferred the cytotoxic effects of TiO2NPs on the proliferation of MG-63 cell line. Based on the findings of present study the biosynthesized TiO2NPs from P. sajor caju served as an alternative and eco-friendly nano medicine in the near future.

Comparison of sawdust and kenaf core fibre as cultivation substrates for grey oyster (Pleurotus sajor-caju) and black jelly (Auricularia auricular-judae) mushrooms

Unlike plants, mushrooms are heterotrophic organisms which require external nutrients to grow the hypha network which supplies nutrients for the growth of reproductive stage. In this study, rubber tree sawdust, kenaf core fibre and mixture of sawdust-kenaf (50:50) were used as the cultivation substrates for grey oyster (Pleurotus sajor-caju) and black jelly (Auricularia auricula-judae) mushrooms. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) composed of fibre-rich substances which consist of an internal woody core and a superficial fibrous bark. This study was conducted to compare between sawdust and kenaf core fibre as the cultivation substrates in terms of growth performance, yield and postharvest quality of grey oyster and black jelly mushrooms. There was no significant difference (P≥0.05) observed in the mycelium growth rate among the substrates used. However, grey oyster mushroom showed higher growth rate 0.74-0.77 cm/day) compared to black jelly mushroom (0.44-0.55 cm/day). Sawdust substrate showed the highest yield (415.5 g) for both mushroom species followed by mixture of sawdust-kenaf and lastly kenaf. There was also no significant different (P≥0.05) found in the postharvest quality of both mushrooms species among different substrates used. In conclusion, in terms of yield, sawdust was the best mushroom cultivation substrate for both grey oyster and black jelly mushrooms.