Valorization of hazelnut branch pruning wastes to medicinal mushroom (Reishi-Ganoderma lucidum) cultivation and nutritional quality properties

In this study, Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst (Reishi) was cultivated with hazelnut branches (HB) for the first time. Yield, biological activity, mushroom quality characteristics, spawn running time, and total harvesting time were determined with harvested mushroom fruiting bodies. To assess the degradation properties of HB due to G. lucidum, chemical analysis (holocellulose, α-cellulose, lignin, extractives, ash contents, and pH) of raw materials and cultivated mushroom composts was carried out. The changes that occurred in the structure of hazelnut branches examined occording to their initial amounts. According to findings obtained from the current study, a 57.11 g/kg yield and 10.72% biological efficiency (BE) were achieved. Mean spawn running time (12.33 days), mean earliness (48.1 days), and mean total harvest time (95.1 days) were recorded. K element was the richest in mushroom fruiting body and HB. Nutritional quality properties were found to be similar with literature. After cultivation, holocellulose and pH values decreased while lignin, extractive, and ash contents proportionately increased, but α-cellulose content was not changed significantly in the study. These findings obtained from the study that hazelnut branch wastes could be usefull for the cultivation of G. lucidum.