The multiplication of oyster mushroom on different cellulosic substrates

The estimated number of fungi worldwide is about 140000 of which only 10% are known or ≈ 14000 species. Fungi are an integral part of most natural ecosystems contributing to the redistribution of food resources used by all organisms in the environment. Many fungal species are of interest in human nutrition and health. More than 2000 species are edible and nearly 700 species have interesting pharmaceutical properties. Nutritionally edible forest fungi are rich in protein and fiber low in lipids and contain important vitamins and trace elements (Barros et al. 2007; Reis et al. 2012). They are eukaryotic organisms i.e. possessing cells with an individualized nucleus provided with a nuclear membrane chromosomes nucleolus and mitochondrial apparatus. They have a thick peptido-polyosidic wall of variable composition depending on the group (Mannans Glucans Chitin Chitosan proteins phospholipids) and a sterol-rich membrane (ergosterols).