Vegetos

Abstract

Analysis of proximate nutritional status from dry fruit bodies and effects of different carbon and nitrogen sources on mycelial growth along with exopolysaccharides (EPSs) biosynthesis of A uricularia auricula-judae were done. This mushroom is used as supplementary food by tribal people of Tripura. High contents of moisture (%) and total carbohydrate with low lipid, ash and fat contents were found in this mushroom. The total fibre (11.70±1.00 g/100g) and total carbohydrate (56.22±2.12 g/100g) contents were significantly high in A. auricula-judae but the total protein (11.30±0.20 g/100g) content was comparatively lower. A. auricula-judae also contained high amount of energy (351.44 Kcal). Under optimal pH, temperatures and incubation time highest mycelial growth and EPSs biosynthesis were evaluated by using seven different carbon and nitrogen sources. The highest dry weight (8.04±0.89 g/L) and growth rate (0.57±0.06 g/L/day) of A. auricula-judae were found in glucose medium but the highest production of EPS (5.55±0.88 g/L) was observed in starch medium. Maximum biomass yield (5.133 g/L), average growth rate (0.367 g/L/day) and EPS (6.67 g/L) production were found in urea medium (nitrogen source). Highest amount of total carbohydrate (0.612 g/100g) from EPSs was obtained in medium containing starch as a carbon source and Calcium nitrate (0.007 g/100g) as a nitrogen source. This mushroom may be commercially exploited for healthy food supplements and revealed data will be useful for further development of cultivation process for production of EPSs on a large scale.