• Mycobiology
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.184-194
• /
• 2015

A compressive description of tropical milky white mushroom (Calocybe indica P&C var. APK2) is provided in this review. This mushroom variety was first identified in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and can be cultivated on a wide variety of substrates, at a high temperature range ($30{\sim}38^{\circ}C$). However, no commercial cultivation was made until 1998. Krishnamoorthy 1997 rediscovered the fungus from Tamil Nadu, India and standardized the commercial production techniques for the first time in the world. This edible mushroom has a long shelf life (5~7 days) compared to other commercially available counterparts. A comprehensive and critical review on physiological and nutritional requirements viz., pH, temperature, carbon to nitrogen ratio, best carbon source, best nitrogen source, growth period, growth promoters for mycelia biomass production; substrate preparation; spawn inoculation; different supplementation and casing requirements to increase the yield of mushrooms has been outlined. Innovative and inexpensive methods developed to commercially cultivate milky white mushrooms on different lignocellulosic biomass is also described in this review. The composition profiles of milky white mushroom, its mineral contents and non-enzymatic antioxidants are provided in comparison with button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Antioxidant assay results using methanol extract of milky white mushroom has been provided along with the information about the compounds that are responsible for flavor profile both in fresh and dry mushrooms. Milky white mushroom extracts are known to have anti-hyperglycemic effect and anti-lipid peroxidation effect. The advantage of growing at elevated temperature creates newer avenues to explore milky white mushroom cultivation economically around the world, especially, in humid tropical and sub-tropical zones. Because of its incomparable productivity and shelf life to any other cultivated mushrooms in the world, milky white mushroom could play an important role in satisfying the growing market demands for edible mushrooms in the near future.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.184-188
• /
• 2010

Calocybe indica, known as milky white mushroom, grows and cultivated in the sub-tropical and temperate zones of South Asia. We investigated the most suitable supplements and their levels for the commercial cultivation of milky white mushroom. Rice bran, maize powder, and wheat bran with their different levels (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) were used as supplements to evaluate the yield and yield contributing characteristics of C. indica. Primordia initiation was observed between 13.5 and 19.3 days. The results indicated that the 30% maize powder supplement was effective for producing viable fruiting bodies. The maximum diameters of the pileus and stalk were observed with 30% maize powder. The highest biological and economic yield and biological efficiency were also obtained with 30% maize powder as a supplement. The results indicate that increasing the supplement level resulted in less biological efficiency, and that 30% maize powder was the best supplement level for rice straw substrate to cultivate milky white mushrooms.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.273-284
• /
• 2020

Calocybe indica is an edible mushroom commercially cultivated in India and other tropical countries. In this study, the culture characteristics and optimal conditions of milky mushroom strains were determined. The growth temperature and pH range of milky mushrooms was extensively investigated between 15-35 ℃ and pH 3-11. For efficient cultivation, 20 types of nutrient sources were selected that consisted of one of 21 types of carbon sources, 6 organic nitrogen sources, 6 inorganic nitrogen sources, 13 amino acids, 6 organic acids and 12 inorganic salts. The impact of each of the selected nutrition sources and their concentration on growth was investigated. The optimum pH and temperature were determined to be pH 6.0 and 15 ℃, respectively. The optimum concentration of medium elements for the mycelial growth of C. indica was determined to be as follows: carbon source, 2% maltose; organic nitrogen source, 1% yeast extract; inorganic nitrogen source, 0.1% NaNO₃; amino acid, 0.7% asparagine; organic acid, 0.07% acetic acid; inorganic salt, 0.07 mM MnSO₄.