Nutrient and Mineral Content of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus florida) Grown on Selected Lignocellulosic Substrates

This study was carried out to determine the proximate and mineral content of Pleurotus florida mushroom in order to assess its nutritional value and to determine its yield and biological efficiency on the substrates. Pleurotus florida was cultivated on the four lignocellulosic substrates: sawdust, corn cobs, oil palm spadix and corn straw. A ramified spawn bottle of Pleurotus florida was multiplied and inoculated on pasteurized substrates at the Mycology Laboratory of the Department of Crop Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The mature fruiting bodies were subjected to proximate and mineral analysis. The total yield and biological efficiency were also obtained. The result showed that Pleurotus florida contained 26.28-29.91% protein, 86.90-89.60% moisture, 0.48-0.91% fat, 19.64-22.82% fiber, 31.37-38.17% carbohydrate and 5.18-6.39% ash. The mineral contents ranged from 342-410 mg/100 g Calcium, 1009-1133 mg/100 g Phosphorus, 17-21 mg/100 g Iron, 277-359 mg/100 g Sodium and 2088-2281 mg/100 g Potassium. Also, the highest yield and biological efficiency were obtained on corn cobs substrate (110 g, 55%), followed by Oil palm spadix substrate (76.05 g, 38%) and least on corn straw substrate (63.12 g, 31.56%). Conclusively, Pleurotus florida is rich in protein, fiber, ash, carbohydrate, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron and low in fats, Sodium and should be added to our diet to for qualitative diet.