Evaluation of yield parameters and nutritional aspects of different strains of oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushroom

The present study investigates the comparison between three different strains of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster (local), WC-537, WC-522) regarding to their yield and nutritional aspects. Four different kinds of substrates (corncob, wheat straw, rice straw, and sugarcane bagasse) were used for the growth of oyster. Oyster strain on corncob was found to be the fast mycelial run in comparison with WC-537 and WC-522. WC-522 on sugarcane bagasse showed the slowest mycellial run. Highest number of flushes was produced by oyster strain on each substrate. Number of days for period between flushes for oyster and WC-537 was about equal on corn cob, wheat straw and rice straw i.e. 4-6 days. Number of days taken for maturation of fruiting bodies of oyster and WC-537 was almost equal 6-7 days. In terms of nutritional aspects all strains have almost the same amount of moisture, fat, ash, fiber and protein with small variation. All the strains have protein content of about 20% by weight.

The determination of psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushrooms by HPLC utilizing a dual reagent acidic potassium permanganate and tris(2,2´-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence detection system

This paper describes a procedure for the determination of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography with postcolumn chemiluminescence detection. A number of extraction methods for psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushrooms were investigated, with a simple methanolic extraction being found to be most effective. Psilocin and psilocybin were extracted from a variety of hallucinogenic mushrooms using methanol. The analytes were separated on a C₁₂ column using a (95:5% v/v) methanol:10 mM ammonium formate, pH 3.5 mobile phase with a run time of 5 min. Detection was realized through a dual reagent chemiluminescence detection system of acidic potassium permanganate and tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II). The chemiluminescence detection system gave improved detectability when compared with UV absorption at 269 nm, with detection limits of 1.2 × 10⁻⁸ and 3.5 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L being obtained for psilocin and psilocybin, respectively. The procedure was applied to the determination of psilocin and psilocybin in three Australian species of hallucinogenic mushroom.

Fungi associated with Asphondylia (Diptera : Cecidomyiidae) galls on Sarcocornia quinqueflora and Tecticornia arbuscula (Chenopodiaceae)

Galls induced by the gall-forming midges Asphondylia floriformis and A. sarcocorniae on Sarcocornia quinqueflora, and A. tecticorniae and A. peelei on Tecticornia arbuscula, were collected from two sites nearMelbourne, Victoria. Microfungi belonging to a broad range of families were found to be associated with external surfaces of galls and Journal Articles of Sarcocornia quinqueflora. However, only Botryosphaeria dothidea was isolated from the fungal mycelium lining gall-midge larval chambers of all four Asphondylia species, on both host plants

Off-line two-dimensional liquid chromatography for metabolomics: an example using Agaricus bisporus mushrooms exposed to UV irradiation

It has previously been shown that irradiation with UV light increases the vitamin D content of certain mushroom species, but the effect on other nutrients is unknown, and is difficult to assess due to the complexity of the sample matrix. Here, an offline reversed phase × reversed phase two-dimensional liquid chromatography methodology was developed and applied to Agaricus bisporus mushrooms in order to demonstrate the potential of the technique and assess the effect of UV irradiation on the mushroom’s metabolic profile. The method allowed the detection of 158 peaks in a single analytical run. A total of 51 compounds including sugars, amino acids, organic and fatty acids and phenolic compounds were identified using certified reference standards. After irradiation of the mushrooms with UV for 30 s the number of peaks detected decreased from 158 to 150; 47 compounds increased in concentration while 72 substances decreased. This is the first time that two-dimensional liquid chromatography has been carried out for the metabolomic analysis of mushrooms. The data provide an overview of the gain/loss of nutritional value of the mushrooms following UV irradiation and demonstrate that the increased peak capacity and separation space of two-dimensional liquid chromatography has great potential in metabolomics.