Mehmet Cetin

Post‐brewing beverage residues are increasingly explored as sustainable substrate supplements for edible mushrooms. This study investigated how spent tea leaves (STL) and spent coffee grounds (SCG), incorporated into wheat straw at 10%, 20%, and 30% (w/w), influenced the nutritional and compositional profile, antioxidant‐related responses, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral characteristics of Hypsizygus ulmarius fruiting bodies. Rather than producing uniform enrichment, STL and SCG generated distinct residue‐dependent compositional patterns. STL supplementation was associated with higher protein, ash, and amino acid contents, with the 30% STL formulation yielding the highest protein (17.37 g/100 g), ash (8.87 g/100 g), and total amino acid contents (4230.17 mg/100 g). In contrast, SCG supplementation was linked to lipid‐related changes and higher concentrations of selected minerals, including P, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Cu, with crude lipid content reaching 2.50 g/100 g. Linoleic acid remained the dominant fatty acid across treatments, although residue supplementation altered the relative distribution of major fatty acids. Antioxidant‐related responses were assay‐dependent, with 20% SCG showing the highest 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity (ABTS) and 30% STL the highest Cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) value. FTIR spectra supported the compositional findings by indicating treatment‐related shifts in lipid‐ and protein/chitin‐associated regions while preserving the major glucan/chitin‐based fungal matrix. Overall, STL and SCG acted as distinct substrate supplements that differentially modulated composition‐related quality attributes of H. ulmarius , while also supporting the value‐added utilization of brewed tea and coffee residues.

Trichoderma aggressivum f. aggressivum is a major pathogen responsible for the green mould disease in Agaricus bisporus, causing significant yield losses. This study evaluated the effects of native bacterial strains as biocontrol agents against T. aggressivum f. aggressivum in the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus. Bacterial strains were collected from mushroom caps and screened for plant growth-promoting traits, including siderophore production, phosphate solubilisation, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, chitinolytic, and proteolytic activities. In vitro antagonism assays identified Pseudomonas chlororaphis (Pl 4/2), Bacillus wiedmannii (Pl 6/1), and Bacillus cereus (Pl 5/2) as the most promising candidates. In vivo assays under controlled compost conditions revealed that Pl 5/2 significantly enhanced mycelial growth in A. bisporus. Field trials have confirmed its strong biocontrol potential, with disease severity reductions comparable to the fungicide Prochloraz. Furthermore, Pl 5/2 markedly increased the mushroom yield and the improved cap number and weight in A. bisporus. These results demonstrate the dual functionality of B. cereus Pl 5/2 in suppressing green mould and promoting yield, supporting its potential integration into sustainable, chemical-free mushroom production systems.

This study aimed to assess the potential of olive press cake (OPC) as an alternative casing material for white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) cultivation. Five casing layer formulations, combining peat (P) and OPC at weight ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 (w/w), were evaluated alongside a peat-only control. The impact of these formulations on mushroom yield, nutrient composition, macro- and microelement concentrations, as well as lignocellulosic and chemical changes in the casing materials, was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. Mushroom yields across treatments ranged from 217.7 g/kg (P1:OPC1) to 334.2 g/kg (P3:OPC1), with the P2:OPC1, P3:OPC1, and P4:OPC1 formulations achieving significantly higher yields compared to the control treatment (238.8 g/kg). Mushrooms cultivated using the P1:OPC1 formulation exhibited higher protein (up to 29.33%), ash (13.57%), and crude fat (2.44%) contents, compared to reduced total carbohydrate levels, compared to other treatments. Macroelement analysis revealed notable increases in potassium (up to 7.18 g/100 g dry weight) and phosphorus (1.83 g/100 g) in mushrooms grown on the P1:OPC1 formulation. Additionally, microelement concentrations, including copper (15.65 mg/kg), zinc (44.70 mg/kg), and manganese (15.65 mg/kg), were significantly enriched in mushrooms from the P1:OPC1 treatment. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed extensive degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the casing materials, driven by fungal enzymatic activity. These results suggest that OPC-enriched casing formulations not only enhance mushroom yield and nutritional composition but also improve macro- and microelement contents, underscoring their potential as a sustainable alternative to peat in mushroom cultivation.

Nowadays, environmentally friendly and sustainable food production is gaining importance day by day. The most important factor in achieving the goal of sustainable food production is limiting the use of chemicals that pose risks to human and environmental health, such as fertilizers and pesticides. One of the methods used to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture is the use of bioinoculants. Bioinoculants are formulations comprised of microorganisms such as bacteri and fungi. They have potentials to increase the agricultural productivity and to control pests and diseases. Mushrooms are among the sustainable foods that stand out with their high nutritional values and medicinal properties. However, the excessive use of chemicals in the production of some edible mushroom species may make their consume risky, despite rich nutritional and medicinal values of the mushroom. The use of biological agents replacing chemicals can provided a great advantage to the mushroom industry in this regard. Azotobacter, Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas are most important bacteria genera used in mushroom cultivation. Generally, they increase the mycelial growth of mushroom species while exhibiting competition against harmful molds and stimüle the mushroom yield. On the other hand, use of microorganisms instead of additive materials in the mushroom growing media is highly new and interesting issue in the sector of mushroom cultivation. The aim of this study is to provide a view of the possibility of use of bioinoculants in enhancing the mushroom yield through the agency of the growth encouragement, and their potential as biocontrol agents to prevent various diseases in the mushroom cultivation.

Objective: The study investigated the effect of period of lighting or lighting duration at different wavelengths on the yield and quality of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom. Materials and Methods: In order to realise this objective, four light colours representing different wavelengths during the production process were applied to the mushrooms using a microcontroller-based automation system with determined time intervals. Results: Different wavelengths of visible light had no significant effect on the yield and earliness of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms, but blue light affected fruiting body size. Conclusion: Mushroom quality can be improved by lighting duration of appropriate colour. More detailed studies are needed to determine the effects of different wavelengths on mushroom nutrients and bioactive content.