WHITE BUTTON MUSHROOM PRODUCTION - A BIOTECHNOLOGICAL ROUTE TO CONVERT BAGASSE INTO FOREIGN EXCHANGE

摘要

Bagasse has great potential to be converted into value added products having great export potential. The study reports the production of Agaricus bisporus (White Button Mushroom) from bagasse, wheatstraw and bagasse+ wheatstraw (1:1), on laboratory scale. The procedural details have been given for composting of these materials followed by their solid state fermentation for white button mushroom production. The analytical studies have revealed a significant decrease in lignin, cellulose & hemicellulose content of bagasse & wheatstraw and increase in the protein content of the mycelium rich compost during the process. One quintal of bagasse could yield 87 kg of Oyster mushrooms (Pleaurotus sajor-caju), 64 Kg of Paddy Straw mushrooms (Volvoriella volvacea) and 79.6 Kg of White Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), which was higher than that obtained from 1 qtl. Of wheatstraw (80.5 Kg oyster mushrooms), paddy straw (57.1 Kg paddy straw mushrooms) and wheatstraw (78.1 Kg white button mushrooms). The profit earned from one qtl. Of bagasse was found to be Rs. 405, Rs. 613 and Rs. 4603 in case of oyster mushroom, paddy straw mushroom and white button mushroom, respectively.