Volume 21(1), 150- 157, 2017 JOURNAL of Horticulture, Forestry and Biotechnology www.journal-hfb.usab-tm.ro

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Study on chemical composition of Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom, produced on different substrates Rzsa S.1*, Mniuiu D.N.1, Gocan Tincua-Marta1, Sima Rodica1, Rzsa Melinda2

1University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Horticulture 3-5 Mntur St.,

400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romnia; 2 SC Ciupercria SRL, 332 Aghireu-Fabrici, 407010, Cluj County,

Romnia, www.ciupercaria.com *Corresponding author. Email: drd.rozsa.sandor@gmail.com Abstract All edible mushrooms are high in vitamin B plus other vitamins such as vitamin C and ergosterol. Bioactive compounds from edible mushrooms have become new products for health therapy, especially anti-cancer therapies. Almond mushroom - Agaricus blazei Murrill was discovered and popularised as late as the 20th century. However, it has been known for its exceptional properties in the places of its origin for a long time. Studies have been conducted worldwide for several decades, aiming at the precise determination of these properties and their applicability in medicine. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of four growing substrates of Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom on the chemical composition of mushrooms.

Key words compost, Agaricus blazei Murrill, vitamin B, vitamin C, ergosterol

The fruiting bodies of Agaricus blazei Murrill contain

89-91% water, which is in general less than that of A.

bisporus. Almost 48% of total dry matter consists of

crude protein and 18% of carbohydrates, but the lipid

content is only 0.5% [6]. The fruiting bodies of

Agaricus blazei Murrill contain high levels of valuable

minerals, e.g. potassium, phosphorus, calcium,

magnesium and zinc. Nevertheless, a minute amount of

cadmium was also detectable [6].

Bioactive compounds of mushrooms can be isolated

from their fruiting bodies, or culture extraction from

pure culture of mycelia [1]. Agaricus blazei Murrill has

been reported to produce various bioactive compounds

that have potential to treat many diseases [5]. This

mushroom has been used as a medicinal food for the

prevention of cancer, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia,

arteriosclerosis, and chronic hepatitis, and is known to

stimulate the immune system [20].

Several categories of molecules are involved in

beneficial effects of Agaricus blazei Murrill and most

of them are common to the entire fungal kingdom [10].

Some compounds (such as ergosterol and b-glucans)

are considered as biochemical markers for the kingdom

and are ubiquitous. -Glucans are cell wall constituents

that can be found in many fungi [10].

Agaricus blazei Murrill is a well-known medicinal

mushroom used in many countries, and thus

consumption of this mushroom is used as an alternative

way to cure diseases. Various pharmaceutical activities

have been found associated with Agaricus blazei

Murrill and researches to reveal the function of

bioactive compounds are extensive. Recent studies

have been performed in vitro and in vivo to confirm the

mushrooms therapeutic properties [5]. Identification of

(novel) immunomodulating bioactive compounds from

the mushroom may also help in new treatments for

patients suffering from cancer and immunodeficiency

[13].

Almond mushroom is a saprophytic species, growing

well on soils rich in ligno-cellulose residue [19]. As it

was reported by Stamets [19], Wasser [21] and Dias

[4], natural habitats for this species include mixed

forests, first of all their margins, as well as fields in

upland and mountainous areas of Brazil and Peru.

Almond mushroom is the so-called secondary

saprophyte, developing on partially processed

substrate, in which microorganisms reduced complex

ligno-cellulose compounds [2]. Numerous authors have

shown that due to the similar life cycle in the

cultivation of almond mushroom technologies

developed for white button mushroom may be applied.

However, almond mushroom requires high temperature

and high humidity as well as access to light to form

fruiting bodies [2,3,4,11,18]. In Brazil, due to the

advantageous climatic conditions this species is

frequently grown outdoors; however, in other countries

- mainly due to its high temperature requirements -

such cultivation system is risky and may only be

successful during very warm summers [9,18,19].

The results of Agaricus cultivation to a considerable

degree are determined by the composition of the

substrate. Unfortunately, there is a limited body of data

concerning growing media for almond mushroom

cultivation. Frequently producers, particularly in Brazil

and Japan, use substrate with the composition

developed for white button mushroom [11]. However,

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both species may respond differently to an identical

substrate composition. For this reason, it is essential to

develop a substrate meeting requirements of almond

mushroom [22]. The primary components in such a

substrate are most frequently locally available

materials, subjected to composting, e.g. agricultural

waste rich in ligno-cellulose complexes, i.e. straw,

cotton burrs, grasses, sawdust, enriched with animal

manure, poultry dung, wheat or rice bran and calcium

[7,8,9,12,14,17].

Material and Method

Given that in the experience we made, the culture

substrate presents 4 graduations (a1-classic compost,

a2- synthetic compost, a3-mixed compost, a4-original

compost) to achieve directed composting, were

conducted 4 identical tanks to control, perform and

record optimal environmental conditions necessary for

the composting and pasteurization process. (figure no.

1-6).

For the experiments, we used four recipes of compost, presented in table no. 1

7

4

6 5

1

2 3

8

9

1

0

Module a1

11

7

4

6 5

1

2 3

8

9

1

0

Module a2

7

4

6 5

1

2 3

8

9

1

0

Module a3

7

4

6 5

1

2 3

8

9

1

0

Module a4

Figure no. 1. Sketch for the composting facility - 4 modules:

1 - tank with capacity of 1 m3 for compost components; 2 rack for compost; 3 - tank heating system for composting;

4 - tank for the collection and recirculation the water excess; 5 - heating elements for wetting water (purine); 6

water/purine recirculation pump; 7 - recirculation pipes for wetting water/ purine; 8 - compost discharge door; 9 - air

flow control valve for aerobic composting; 10 - air inlet pipe to aerobic composting from the compressor; 11 -

ground level.

Figure 2. Composting facility - 4

modules

Source: original photo

Figure 3. Tank for the collection and

recirculation of the water excess

Source: original photo

Figure 4. Compressor for the air flow

Source: original photo

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Table 1

Recipes for compost used in experience

Type of compost

Components Quantity for 1 tone of

compost

C1 - Classical Horse manure (horse manure and wheat bedding straw 70-75%)

Gypsum (calcium sulphate)

Superphosphate

Ammonium sulphate

500 kg

25 kg

7 kg

7 kg

C2 - Synthetic Wheat straw

Poultry litter

Gypsum (calcium sulphate)

Urea

350 kg

150 kg

20 kg

7 kg

C3 - Mixt Horse manure (horse manure and wheat bedding straw 70-75%)

Poultry litter

Wheat straw

Gypsum (calcium sulphate)

Urea

250 kg

100 kg

150 kg

24 kg

2 kg

C4 - Original shredded reed

Horse manure (horse manure and wheat bedding straw 70-75%)

Poultry litter

Gypsum (calcium sulphate)

Urea

100 kg

200 kg

150 kg

24 kg

2 kg

Each type of compost was prepared in a composting

tank, respecting the proportions of raw and auxiliary

materials.

The compost pasteurization was achieved by raising

the temperature of compost at 58-60 C for a period of

about 8 hours, then lowering the temperature of the

compost at 50C by mixing fresh air and continued

cooling to 45C. The temperature of 45C was

maintained until the ammonia content of the compost

has not fallen below 0.05% and the pH has stabilized in

the range of 7.3-7.5. [15,16]. In experience, we used

protein additives as follows: A1 without protein

additives, A2 - 3% wheat bran and A3 - Corn flour 3%.

Results and Discussions

Table no. 2 presents the effect of compost and protein

additives (A x C) on the dry matter of mushrooms

during year 2015 and 2016 of experience.

The maximum value of total dry matter (9.43%) and

soluble dry matter (8.50%) was recorded by mushroom

harvested from C3 A2 combination, the minimum

value of total dry matter was recorded by C4 A1

combination (7.13%) and the minimum value of

soluble dry matter was recorded by C4 A3 combination

(7.07%).