Sawdust and fruit residues of Central Amazonian for Panus strigellus spawn´s production

Abstract

The objective of this work was to perform a screening of residues of forest species of the Central Amazon to prepare spawn of the edible mushroom Panus strigellus. Sawdust substrates from 11 forest species were tested. Then supplementation with beer yeast, cereal bran and regional fruit residues in sawdust:supplementation relation (5:1 and 10:1) were evaluated. Mycelial growth of P. strigellus occurred in all the substrates composed of the Amazonian forests species, suggesting that all have potential for use in spawn formulation and/or cultivation of this edible mushroom. Among these species the substrate formulated with Simarouba amara sawdust promoted higher mycelial growth (P<0.05). The formulation of S. amara supplemented with Astrocaryum aculeatum fruit shell bran (10:1) presented the best supplementation alternative among regional fruit residues. Three types of packaging for spawn preparation were evaluated, and the polypropylene sack (32×45 cm) was considered the most appropriate. Simarouba amara sawdust and A. aculeatum fruit shell are readily available in the North region, and the results demonstrating that these residues might substitute Eucalyptus sp. sawdust and rice bran, commonly used in the South and Southeast of Brazil for mushroom spawn production.