Enzyme activities of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fries) Singer, cultivated on selected agricultural wastes

Studies were carried out on the enzyme activities of Pleurotus tuber-regium fruitbodies and sclerotia cultivated in various agro-wastes. Higher activities of proteinase, total amylase, and glucose-6-phosphatase were observed in the sporophores compared to the sclerotia. Cellulase, carboxymethylcellulase and lipase values were higher in fruitbodies grown on cotton waste, sawdust of Khaya ivorensis and rice straw (2.4, 0.4 and 3.0 mg/h/mg protein, respectively). Sclerotia propagated on groundnut shells and cocoyam peels had lipase and phenoloxidase levels of 5.8 and 2.6 mg/h/mg protein, respectively. The peroxidase, α-amylase and catalase activities were also determined. The implication of these findings in relation to shelf-life, food nutrient, and flavour of this mushroom are discussed.