Comparative analysis of substrate components, nutritive value, ergosterol distribution, and vitamin D2 enrichment in shiitake mushrooms cultivated on wood substrates

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Abstract

This study investigated shiitake [Lentinula edodes (Berk.)] mushrooms cultivated on seven hardwood and two softwood substrates for production, compositional changes, nutritive value, and ergosterol conversion to vitamin D₂ content. The findings demonstrated higher shiitake yields with hardwood species, particularly among Populus ciliata (PC) (163±10.7 g/kg) and Mangifera indica (MI) (112±7.14 g/kg) substrates. Shiitake mushrooms widely utilized hemicellulose (8.93–61.3 %) during mycelial growth, while cellulose (11.9–38.0 %) and lignin (6.66–63.2 %) were mainly consumed during fruiting body development. Additionally, optimization studies on ergosterol conversion to vitamin D₂ indicated that 30 KJ m⁻² of UV-B exposure significantly enhanced the vitamin D₂ content (99.8±2.6 µg/g). Shiitake mushrooms showed a significant difference in ergosterol content (p<0.01) when cultivated on various substrates, with the highest content found on PC (6820±720 µg/g) and Tectona grandis (6810±480 µg/g). Further, the ergosterol conversion rate to vitamin D₂ was the highest in the MI substrate (4.39 %), followed by Jacaranda mimosifolia (2.87 %), and was recorded lowest in the Grevillea robusta (1.6 %) substrates. Shiitake mushrooms cultivated on different wood substrates have also shown significant differences (p<0.05) in their nutritional composition. Overall, the study highlights the potential of shiitake mushrooms cultivated on various wood substrates to provide significant nutrients and vitamin D₂ content.