Optimization of Mycelial Culture Conditions and Fructification of Lentinus Species Using Rice Straw and Sawdust Based Substrates

Lentinus(Basidiomycota,Polyporaceae)species are naturally-occurring mushrooms with nutritional and pharmacological importance.Unlike shiitake Lentinula edodes,a widely cultivated mushroom,Lentinus species are often ignored because they are underutilized and unpopular.However,like shiitake,Lentinus spp.could also be valuable resources of functional food and bioactive compounds.It is therefore of high interest to understand their cultural requirements leading to their efficient biomass production.Thus,this study established the optimal culture conditions for the maximum mycelial growth of seven wild strains under four Lentinus species.Their cultivation potentials were also determined using rice straw and sawdust(7:3 v/v)substrate formulation.Mycelia of all Lentinus strains evaluated favorably grew on coconut water gulaman(local crude agar)and other culture media for specific strain with suitable pH ranging from 5.0 to 8.0.Aeration was not a major physical factor for all Lentinus strains except L.squarrosulus strain 1,which favored sealed condition.Both lighted and dark conditions were found suitable for both strains of L.sajor-caju,L.strigosus strain 2 and L.swartzii whereas both strains of L.squarrosulus and L.strigosus strain 1 favorably grew in lighted condition.However,all Lentinus strains evaluated recorded the highest mycelial growth rates and thick mycelia at 30℃.In terms of fruiting body production,all Lentinus strains demonstrated cultivation potential.The seven Lentinus strains completely colonized the substrate for 18.0-25.6 days and initiated primordia for 21.6-33.5 days.The highest yield(52.5 g bag^(-1))and biological efficiency(10.5%)was recorded in L.strigosus strain 1,whereas the lowest was noted in L.strigosus strain 2 with 21.1 g bag^(-1) yield and 4.2%biological efficiency.L.sajor-caju strain 2 and L.squarrosulus strain 1 showed the widest cap diameter and longest stipe,respectively.The mycelial growth and fruiting body performance of Lentinus may vary depending on species and strains.Altogether,the seven new wild strains of Lentinus can be artificially cultivated by providing the nutritional and physical requirements.

Cultivation of different strains of Lentinus tigrinus from selected areas of Luzon Island,Philippines

Lentinus tigrinus is a wood-decaying species of macrofungi that belongs to family Polyporaceae.This mushroom is known to be edible and with medicinal attributes.In this study,cultivation of different strains of Lentinus tigrinus using rice straw-sawdust based substrate is reported.Results showed that the shortest incubation period was observed in strain 10(16.60 days),and the longest was noted in strain 1(40.50 days).However,strain 10 showed the earliest appearance of fruiting initials(20.70 days),and strain 1 had the longest period(44 days).In terms of fruiting body size,strain 6 recorded the widest mean pileus diameter(72.2 mm),and strain 10 had the longest mean stipe length(41.22 mm).Moreover,strain 6 produced the highest yield of 81.83 g and biological efficiency of 16.37%.Interestingly,although they belong to the same species,cultivation phase and fruiting body performance of different strains of L.tigrinus may also vary depending on geographical origin,which is very important to consider in strain selection.