Optimal Culture Conditions for the Enhanced Mycelial Growth and Cultivation of Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes)

Abstract

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, commonly known as shiitake mushroom, is one of the most popular edible mushrooms with valuable medicinal properties. Despite its global popularity, the cultivation of shiitake in Vietnam has been limited due to a lack of research on this macrofungus. This study aimed to optimize the culture conditions for the mycelial growth and fruiting body development of two shiitake strains, J1 and J2. The culture conditions were optimized by one-factor-at-a-time method. A temperature of 25°C was found to be optimal for the growth of both strains, while glucose was identified as the most effective carbon source. Yeast extract and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) were found to be the optimal nitrogen sources for favorable mycelial growth of strains J1 and J2, respectively. The most suitable spawning material for upscaling the mycelium was a mixture of 74% grain rice, 25% sawdust, and 1% CaCO3. Additionally, the cultivation of strain J2 on a mixture of 69% corncobs, 20% sawdust, 10% wheat bran, and 1% CaCO3 led to a higher biological yield (36.5%) than that of strain J1 (23.5%). These findings provide useful information for improving the cultivation technology of shiitake and expanding its cultivation in Vietnam.