Physicochemical properties and storage stability of mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivated on single (sawdust) and mixed substrates (sawdust and oil palm fibre)

Oyster mushroom nutrientshave been rated side by side with proteinsin meat and eggs. Oyster mushroomsarehigh in vitamins and essential amino acids, but theircultivation is poor. Oil palm fibre is being used in making material strength in mechanical engineering with little or no use in the cultivation of food products. This study determined the physicochemical properties and storage stability of mushroomscultivated on single and mixed substrates (sawdust and oil palm fibre). Oil palm fibremixed with sawdust at different ratios (95:5, 90:10 and 85:15) was used to grow oyster mushroomsin other to turn waste to wealth. The oyster mushroomscultivated on both single and mixed substratesweresubjected to proximate composition analysis (22.99, 4.54, 6.93,and 6.98%, for crude protein, fat, fibre, and ash),mineral content (5.92 mg/100g for sodium and 25.76 mg/100g for potassium), amino acid profile (155.85 mg/g for a total essential amino acid), fatty acid profile (43.82% for linoleic acid), anti-nutritional factor, and storage stability for three months. The mushroomscultivated on the mixed substrate (oil palm fibre + sawdust) havea higher proximate composition, mineral content, amino acid profile,and fatty acid profiles than mushroomscultivated on a single substrate (sawdust). Although the peroxide value of the oyster mushroom samples from the mixed substrates increased with storage time, the peroxide value was lower than 10 meq/kg of fat throughout the storage period,which means the samples could still be considered stable during storage. Cultivation of oyster mushroomson mixed substrates of oil palm fibreand sawdust should be encouraged for highly nutritious oyster mushroom production. Oil palm fibre can also serve as a raw material in mushroom cultivation.