Abstract

The study aimed at using the ability of rapid growth of Pleurotus mushroom mycelia on rice straw and sugarcane bagasse to produce a single cell protein product which can be used as food for animal and aquaculture specieses. A screening on 3 foreign and 23 domestical strains showed that the Pleurotus sajor-caju gave the highest growth ability. The addition of 1% of urea increased remarkably the raw protein content of the mycelia to 12% in the case of sugarcane bagasse and 8,92% in the case of rice straw respectively. The addition of 1% of DAP also showed the highest growth ability. In order to increase the amino acid content of the product, a heat treatment (optimally at 50°C in 18 hrs) to induce the partial autolysis of the mycelia was applicable. Pilct-scale experiment on culture of Pleurotus sajor-caju mycelia showed that the optimal culture time, calcium hydroxide concentration and inoculate (spawn) volume were 6 days, 1-1,5% and 10%, respectively. A process for prodution of the mycelia product which could replace 20-30% of fish powder in the feed components was established.