LAUSR

Abstract The utilization of low value agro-industrial residues for improving nutritional quality of mushrooms has become a key research priority in the recent past. The article reports the effects of various agro-industrial waste materials such as cotton waste (mill droppings), wheat straw, rice straw, corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse and sawdust on nutritional composition of king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii). It was noted that the mycelium growth (vegetative growth) was the highest on cotton waste compared to other lignocellulosic wastes. Moreover, increased biological efficiency, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, total phenolic contents, accumulation of macro (P and K) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Na, Mg, Mn and Ca) and reduced DPPH activity were recorded in P. eryngii cultivated on cotton waste. The results suggest that the cotton waste can be utilized as an efficient, cost-effective substrate for the cultivation of P. eryngii, and the substrate could be exploited post-cultivation as animal feed, due to its upgraded properties.