Valorization of various lignocellulosic wastes to Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (Reishi Mushroom) cultivation and their FT-IR assessments

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (Reishi) has significant pharmacological benefits, and optimizing its cultivation on diverse substrates enhances its commercial viability. This study explored the valorization of various lignocellulosic wastes for cultivating G. lucidum mushrooms, highlighting its potential contributions to sustainable agriculture and waste management. In this research, mushrooms were cultivated using hazelnut branches (HB), hazelnut husk (HH), wheat straw (WS), rhododendron branches (RD), oak wood (OW), beech wood (BW), corn husk (CH), and spent coffee grounds (CG). The biodegradation properties of the mushrooms on the selected substrates were also investigated. HB and RD materials were used for the first time to cultivate and assess the biodegradation properties of G. lucidum. Substrates were prepared for cultivation at varying compositions (91% substrate + 9% wheat bran (WB) and 75% HB + 25% other substrates). The nutritional properties of the mushrooms and substrates, the chemical composition (holocellulose, alpha cellulose, extractives, and ash) of the substrates, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) assessments before and after cultivation were analyzed. Among the substrates, OW 91% + WB 9% yielded the highest mushroom production (46 g/kg), whereas CH (18.3 g/kg) resulted in the lowest yield, with no significant difference compared to WS (18.5 g/kg). Following mushroom cultivation, the holocellulose content and pH values of the substrates decreased proportionally, while alpha-cellulose, extractives, and ash content increased. Chemical analysis revealed an average holocellulose reduction of 13.5% and α-cellulose increase of 32%, alongside substrate-dependent phenolic content variations, with the highest level (3.156 mg GAE/g) observed in beech wood-grown specimens. FT-IR spectra indicated that this method could effectively elucidate the biodegradation properties of G. lucidum on lignocellulosic materials before and after cultivation.