Optimal conditions for mycelial growth of medicinal mushrooms belonging to the genus Hericium

Hericium is a well-known genus that comprises edible and medicinal mushrooms with fleshy, distinctive white spines that hang from a tough, unbranched clump, and grows on dying or dead wood. In preparation for the artificial cultivation of these mushrooms in Thailand, an optimization of mycelial growth on different agar culture media, for various conditions (including temperature, pH, cereal grains, and agricultural waste, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and the ratio of media components) was carried out. For this study, three strains of H. erinaceus (MFLUCC 21-0018, MFLUCC 21-0019, and MFLUCC 21-0020) were favorably grown on OMYA medium, at 25 degrees C and at a pH of 4-4.5, while one strain of H. erinaceus (MFLUCC 21-0021) grew favorably on CDA medium, at 25 degrees C and pH 5.5. The favorable condition for H. coralloides (MFLUCC 21-0050) growth was MYPA medium, at 30 degrees C and pH 5.5. All five strains presented higher mycelial growth on wheat grain. Carbon and nitrogen sources promoted higher rates using molasses and yeast extract respectively, and a ratio of these media components of 10:1 resulted in higher growth rates. The data presented provide growth requirements that will be useful in the future development of the cultivation of Hericium mushrooms.

Automated summary

The study aimed to optimize the mycelial growth of different Hericium strains on agar culture media under various conditions. Specific growth conditions and media component ratios were determined, providing useful information for future cultivation of Hericium mushrooms.