Enzyme profile of Shiitake mushroom strains grown on wheat straw

Abstract

The mycelial growth abilities and extra cellular enzyme activities of nine different strains of shiitake cultivated on wheat straw were measured to establish predictable information on strain-substrate compatibility. The experimental results showed that the strains varied significantly in their mycelial growth rate, enzyme activities and in turn the biological efficiency. Fast mycelial colonization and higher amount of cellulase activity was observed in strain DMRO-327 with the highest mean fresh mushroom yield of 202.32 g per kg of wetted substrate. Correlation study was found significant between the initial speed of linear growth rate and biological efficiency of various strains. The rise in activity of carboxy methyl cellulase, FPase and xylanase during the primordial formation illustrated the role of these enzymes to promote fruiting of shiitake in straw based substrate. While decrease in the lignolytic enzymes with the time showed that these enzymes are responsible for substrate degradation. The conspicuous variations noticed in the morphometric observations also indicated the strain preference towards the given substrate.