Enhancing Pleurotus ostreatus P. Kumm cultivation on peel of the fruit of Astrocaryum aculeatum (Jacq.) G. Mey by investigating the influence of moisture and supplementation with wheat bran

This study investigates the impact of moisture and wheat bran supplementation on the biological efficiency (BE) and nutritional profile of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm cultivated on peels of Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey. Utilizing a factorial design, variations in substrate composition were systematically analyzed to determine optimal conditions for mushroom yield. The methodology encompassed strain acquisition, spawn and substrate preparation, fruiting induction, biological efficiency calculation, and chemical composition analysis of both substrate and mushrooms. Results highlighted a significant variance in BE across different levels of moisture and bran supplementation, with the highest BE (45.6%) observed at 50% moisture and 5% bran supplementation. Statistical analysis revealed that both factors, individually and interactively, significantly influence BE. The chemical analysis of mushrooms showcased a nutritious profile, emphasizing the potential of this cultivation approach for producing high-value food sources. The findings contribute to the understanding of substrate optimization for mushroom cultivation, and provides information on sustainable agricultural practices and food security.