Comparative morphological, proximate, phytochemical and anti-oxidant study of oyster mushroom cultivated on paper waste and sawdust

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of sawdust (amended with wood shavings and rice bran) and paper waste on the growth, proximate composition, phytochemical content and anti-oxidant properties of Pleurotus pulmonarius. To reduce substrate acidity, 200 g of calcium carbonate was added, and after pasteurisation, the substrates were inoculated and incubated for an average of 24 days. P. pulmonarius grown on paper waste exhibited the fastest spawn running (18 days), pinhead formation (22 days) and fruiting body development (28 days). The largest pileus diameter (3.00 cm) and number of fruiting bodies (8) were observed on mushrooms grown on sawdust, while paper waste yielded the highest stipe length (2.73 cm) and fruiting body height (6.43 cm). Paper waste cultivation resulted in the highest sugar (0.30%), protein (29.77%) and ash content (50.58%), whereas sawdust resulted in the highest carbohydrate (52.18%) and moisture (69.70%). Sawdust also enhanced flavonoid, phenol, tannin and alkaloid levels. P. pulmonarius grown on paper waste showed superior anti-oxidant activity across all concentrations tested (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/mL). Both substrates influenced the proximate composition of the mushroom, with paper waste being optimal for growth and anti-oxidant activity, and sawdust better for phytochemical content.