Domestication and element analysis of the giant edible Macrocybe gigantea from Pakistan.

During a survey of mushrooms of Pakistan, Macrocybe gigantea was collected from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan under the Morus species. For the domestication of this wild species, its culturability and cultivation potential was assessed by using different synthetic culture media and substrates. Among these different media used, maximum cultural growth was observed on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium at 30 °C followed by Malt Extract Agar (MEA), Compost Extract Agar (CEA), Glucose Peptone Agar (GPA), and Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Strains on PDA medium were used for production of spawning material on wheat, sorghum and barley grains. Sorghum grains at 30 °C were the best combination for spawn production. A mixed substrate of wheat straw and Tea waste at 30 °C produced the highest yield. Mineral analysis of the wild and cultivated strain revealed that both forms enrich Potassium and Calcium. These findings show that this giant edible mushroom species could be domesticated on the number of media and substrates. Its domestication can provide nutritional, economical, medicinal and tasty food to the growing population that would otherwise be restricted to natural production at a specific time of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]