Cultivation of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) using organic waste: an example with Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel.

Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel. is a mushroom species that occurs widely in nature on all continents except Antarctica. It is most common in North America. Its fruiting bodies are characterised by a mild taste and a slight anise aroma. These mushrooms are valued as a source of nutrients and substances with a healing effect. The anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of P. pulmonarius have been scientifically proven, as well as its strong antihyperglycemic activity. P. pulmonarius is easy to grow because it has a very aggressive mycelium towards cellulosecontaining materials. In Poland, it can be grown on substrates based on cereal straw and various types of organic waste, including agricultural, horticultural, textile and forestry. In intensive crops, the substrates are also enriched with protein and carbohydrates. On an industrial scale, P. pulmonarius is grown primarily in Asia and North America on locally available organic materials.