Conversion of Oil Palm By-Products into Value-Added Products through Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Cultivation

The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus species) is a popular and widely cultivated edible that can be found worldwide, including in Malaysia. However, its local production unable to fulfil the market demand, partly due limited availability of rubber wood sawdust (RWS) as conventional cultivation substrate. Furthermore, palm oil industry Malaysia generates large volumes organic by-products have caused environmental concerns. Therefore, potential utilisation waste-based substrates order develop substitute RWS for Pleurotus ostreatus evaluated this study, based on their agronomic performance nutritional properties. Empty fruit bunches (EFBs), fronds (OPFs), trunks (OPTs) were used formulate substrates. control was 100% RWS. Generally, EFB showed better performance, growth 1.9 times faster compared control, with comparable yield. crude protein beta glucan content mushrooms grown by-product-formulated significantly higher than those using control. Additionally, number fruiting bodies, protein, positively correlated potassium could P. ostreatus.