Browning technology for shiitake in sawdust using LED source

Abstract

The incorporation of Shiitake culture into sawdust is a widely utilized technique that can assist in reducing the cost and time consumption associated with oak cultivation. In sawdust cultivation, browning of the surface mycelia is an important stage with respect to the utility and longevity of the sawdust media. Surface browning forms a protective coating on the substrate, which can inhibit the invasion of pathogens and suppress water evaporation. Several different light sources (red LED, white LED, blue LED, and fluorescent light) were used and the intensity of illumination was carefully controlled (1.5, 10.5, $20.5{\mu}mol/m^2s$ for LEDs and 10, 100, 300 lux for the fluorescent light) to induce browning. The light sources were regulated via a 1 h on/off cycle in a controlled room environment at a temperature of $20^{\circ}C$, 60% humidity, and 1200 ppm $CO_2$ concentration for 60days. The browning effect varied depending on the source and the intensity of illumination. This effect was most effectively induced at $1.5{\mu}mol/m^2s$ for the red and blue LEDs. All light sources induced less browning at the highest intensity of illumination. This indicates that intensity values higher than $20.5{\mu}mol/m^2s$ in the case of the LEDs and 300 lux for the fluorescent light are not effective. After harvesting of the fruit bodies, we measured the weight, length, and width of the pileus and stipe in addition to their chromaticity and hardness. Treatment with $1.5{\mu}mol/m^2s$ blue LED produced the best harvest with the highest average chromaticity, weight (21.2 g), stipe length (30.8 mm), and hardness (377.9 g), with a fine length and width of the pileus.

Fig. 1. Lateral photo of light treated Shiitake culture in sawdust

Table 1. Effect of difference light source and intensity

Table 2. Measured characteristics of harvested fruit bodies