African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (12), pp. 1401-1403, December 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Cultivation of mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) on banana leaves

Belewu, M. A.* and Belewu, K. Y.

Microbial Biotechnology and Dairy Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author. E-mail: milkyinka@yahoo.com, Tel: 2348035817941, 2348043348738.

Accepted 9 September, 2005

Following the solid state fermentation of banana leaves (Musa sapientum lina) by lignin degrading mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), yield of fruiting bodies and compositional changes of the substrate were evaluated using a student parametric “T” test model. The biological efficiency was 5.21 while the total weight of fruit yield was 2.5 kg. The percentage biomass loss was 18.20%. The banana leaves treated with V. volvacea exhibited losses primarily in the polysaccharide components and with a greater percentage of the fibre components being degraded. The crude protein content was enhanced by the incubation of the mushroom due probably to the addition of microbial protein. The acid detergent lignin (ADL) was significantly reduced in the fungus treated sample. The acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) followed similar trend but, the cellulose and hemicellulose increased. The development of this simple technology is expected to improve the yield of mushroom as well as provide sustainable feed (spent substrate) for ruminant animals.

Key words: Banana leaves, Volvariella volvacea, chemical composition, ruminant animals.