Abstract

The aims of the study are to identify an effective and versatile fungal strain for bioengineering mycelium composites. The influence of temperature and four different growth media on mycelium growth of two white rot fungi, Pleurotus Ostreatus (Winter Oyster) and Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) were investigated in laboratory conditions. The results of the experiment indicated that potato dextrose agar (PDA) was the most suitable growth media for mycelium growth of fungal strains, P. ostreatus and G. lucidum. However, P. ostreatus was the better performing strain, with highest mean mycelium growth of 23.28cm, compared to G. lucidum at 9.03cm on PDA after 12 days of inoculation. Potato dextrose agar (23.28cm) and potato dextrose agar supplemented with yeast extract (14.74cm) were more favorable for mean radial mycelium growth of P. ostreatus, followed by sabouraud dextrose agar (9.85cm) and iron sulphite agar (8.35cm). The fungal strain, P. ostreatus obtained improved mycelium morphology on potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented with yeast extract and obtained cottony textured mycelium with good density and growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Iron sulphite agar (ISA) was least favourable growth media for mean radial mycelium growth and mycelium morphology. Fungal strain, G. lucidum only mycelium growth was obtained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) as a result of this study, was the least favourable fungal strain studied. Optimal temperature for mycelium growth for both fungal strains, P. ostreatus and G. lucidum was obtained at 22 °C.

Keywords: Mycelium growth; Temperature; Growth media; Pleurotus Ostreatus; Ganoderma Lucidum

Abbreviations: PDA: Potato Dextrose Agar; SDA: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar; ISA: Iron Sulpice Agar