Five varieties of mushroom— Absidia blakesleeana, Agaricus bisporus, Lentinus edodes, Peziza auburouniv and Polyporus sulphureus—were qualitatively examined for their ability to hydrolyse starch. Quantitative estimation was made to compare the amylolytic activity of the five types of mushroom propagated on a synthetic medium with that of Aspergillus niger NRRL 337. Lentinus edodes proved to be the most promising strain for amylase production. The amylolytic activity of Lentinus edodes reached its maximum (621 U/ml) after seven days of incubation, the dry mycelium yield being 7·5 g/l with a protein content of 34%. Lentinus edodes was then propagated on various extracts of food wastes—malt sprouts, navel orange peel, potato peel, rice bran, corn steeping water and rice steeping water. Malt sprouts extract proved to be a promising medium for Lentinus edodes propagation as well as for amylase production.