Yield and enzyme activity of different strains of almond mushroom in two cultivation systems

Mycelium of six strains of Almond mushroom (Agaricus subrufescens) was evaluated according to mycelial growth, mushroom production and enzyme activity. Five traditional culture media were used for mycelial growth. Mushroom productivity was determined from two compost formulations: prepared in Canada for cultivation of Agaricus bisporus in a totally controlled environment, and prepared in Brazil for cultivation of A. Subrufescens in a partially-controlled environment. Samples from each strain were collected from the Brazilian compost at casing and 30 days after casing for the enzyme assays for laccase, cellulase, manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase. Compost agar was significantly superior in promoting mycelial growth compared to any of the other traditional media for all strains. Strain productivity ranked similar in both production systems (CS7 > CS10 > CS1) but did not correlate with mycelial growth in traditional media. Agaricus subrufescens produced laccase and cellulose at measurable levels, but no manganese peroxidase nor lignin peroxidase. Laccase activity was substantially higher than cellulase activity.