Corncob as a Substrate for the Cultivation of Lentinula Edodes

Corncob contains nutrients for the growth of mushrooms. Since wood, the original substrate for mushroom production, is becoming difficult to obtain these days, the study aims to evaluate the effect of using corncob as a substrate for Lentinula edodes (shiitake) cultivation, and to provide an economic and eco-friendly approach to transform waste biomass into high quality edible mushrooms. Six formulas containing gradient proportions of corncob were assessed (100 cultivation bed-log per group) together with an oak sawdust control. Chemical profile analysis suggested corncob substitution reduced the substrate’s carbon level and increased nitrogen level. Formulas containing 18–58% corncob obtained higher yield comparing to the sawdust control, indicating a strong boosting effect of corncob. The formula composing of 50% corncob, 28% oak sawdust, 20% wheat bran, and 2% gypsum showed the best performance with the fastest mycelia growth, better log browning, the highest yield (722.08 g/log) and summit biological efficiency (80.23%). The determined carbon/nitrogen in this substrate was 67.21. The size (pileus diameter) of fruit bodies were not much affected by the change in formulas. Addition of corncob had an influence on nutritional composition of mushrooms. The highest polysaccharide content in fruit bodies (4.51 g/100 g) was found when the substrate contains 40% corncob. Corncob is a major agricultural waste in the world. These results revealed an excellent potential of corncob when used as a main substrate ingredient for L. edodes cultivation.