MICROBIAL PROTEIN FROM LEGUMINOUS AND NON-LEGUMINOUS SUBSTRATES

The biodegradation of leguminous and non-leguminous organic materials by Pleurotus sajor-caju and P. ostreatus was studied. Comparisons were made between mushroom yield on both types of substrates. The conversion percentage from dry substrate to fresh mushroom (biological efficiency) was determined. Mushrooms were analyzed for their protein content, carbohydrates, percentages of ash, fat content and crude fibre. The energy value of fruit bodies was computed. The yield obtained from leguminous substrates was significantly high as compared to that yield which was obtained from non-leguminous substrates. The lowest yield of P. sajor caju (10 g +/- 0.3 g) and P. ostreatus (6.5 g +/- 1.2 g) was obtained using the Bougainuillea substrate and the highest one (519 g +/- 16 g, P. sajor-caju and 488 g +/- 18 g, P. ostreatus) using nitrogen-fixing leguminous Leucaena leucocepholea. The nitrogen content in fruit bodies was found to be higher with leguminous substrate than with non-leguminous ones.