Physicochemical Studies on Schizophyllum commune (Fries) a Nigerian Edible Fungus

Schizophyllum commune a Nigeria edible higher fungus is valued for its high nutritional composition. The major limitation to its availability and utilization is that it is seasonal in nature. The fungus was obtained from dead wood and maintained on potato dextrose agar supplemented with 0.5% peptone. We observed the effects of temperature, pH, vitamins and carbon source on the vegetative growth of the fungus. The result obtained revealed that this fungus had its optimum growth at 25°C with mycelial extension of 102.97 mm. The best growth for the fungus was recorded at pH 5.5. Riboflavin and pyridoxine were the best growth promoting vitamins with mycelial dry weight of 100.85 mg/30 cm and 100.45 mg/30 cm . Among the studied carbon 3 3 sources, mannitol and sorbitol stimulated the best mycelial growth of 110.15 and 100.45 mg/30 cm , respectively. 3 The result obtained here will assist in the mass cultivation of this fungus and increase its availability to the Nigerian’ populace.