KSL Mushroom Forms India Pvt.Ltd.

Mushroom Health Benefits

Mushrooms are low in carbohydrates, calories and sodium and are cholesterol and fat free! They are high in riboflavin and contain as much fiber as 1 medium tomato. They are also a good source of niacin, pantothenate and copper.

While medicinal mushrooms have been used in China and Japan for more than 3,000 years to boost immunity and fight diseases such as cancer, only in the last decade has their power begun to be recognized in the United States. In more scientific terms, a number of compounds in fungi have been found to stimulate the function of the immune system, inhibit tumor growth and boost intestinal flora. Particularly, mushroom substances called terpenoids help kill bacteria and viruses and exert anti-inflammatory effects, while complex chain-like sugars called polysaccharides have been shown to exert antitumor and immuno-stimulating properties. - The Natural Foods Merchandiser, March 2005

According to Kenneth Jones in Shiitake: The Healing Mushroom , Shiitake provides noteworthy benefits for ulcers, high or low blood pressure, liver problems, allergies and autoimmune diseases. A 1980 study found that a virus in shiitake mushrooms could produce interferon, effective in treating cancer. Shiitake (Lentinus Edodes) is the second most commonly produced mushroom in the world because of having both medicinal and food value. It is a flesh, gilled mushroom that grows on wood. When eaten, it yields 26% protein by dry weight, carbohydrates, fiber, linoleic acid, vitamins B2, C and D, ergosterol and possesses abundant quantities of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and all the essential amino acids needed in our diet. It has been used to treat nutritional deficiencies and liver ailments.

According to Maitake: King of Mushrooms , by Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. and Ken Babel, C.N., its polysaccharide compound, beta 1,6 glucan, "is recognized by researchers as the most effective active agent stimulating cellular immune responses." Harry Preuss and Sensuke Konno, Ph.D., authors of Maitake Magic, say that studies show Maitake (Grifola Frondosa) can hamper growth and spread of cancer cells, protect normal cells from environmental carcinogens, reduce side effects of and augment chemotherapy, stimulate anti-tumor and anti-microbial activity, and help to halt HIV proliferation. The National Cancer Institute declared Maitake more powerful than AZT, with no toxic side effects. Those with high blood pressure can expect a gradual decrease and Maitake also reduces blood and liver cholesterol and triglycerides, thus reducing risk of stroke and heart disease.

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus Ostreatus) is a fleshy, gilled mushroom growing in shelf-like fashion on wood that is a good food and promising medicinal. Protein quality is nearly equal to animal derived protein. Low fat content is mostly of the good unsaturated kind. Also contained are carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins B1, B2, plus minerals, especially iron and an antioxident. This mushroom shows activity against cancer and high cholesterol. It has shown activity in the following areas: antitumor, immune response, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibiotic.

Crimini and Portabello (Agaricus Bisporus) are the same mushroom, the portabello being left to grow longer and larger. These mushrooms contain a variety of B complex vitamins, are an excellent source of riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin, are a very good source of thiamine, vitamin B6 and a good source of folate. Selenium, lysine, protein, zinc, copper , manganese and iron are more benefits of eating this mushroom.

Chanterelle (Cantharellus Cibarius) contain protein, vitamin D and vitamin B, including riboflavin, niacin and thiamine. Minerals include potassium, copper and selenium.

Morel (Morchella Elata) contain protein, vitamin D and vitamin B, including riboflavin, niacin and thiamine. Minerals include potassium, copper and selenium.

Porcini (Boletus Edulis) contain niacin, potassium, selenium and protein.

Wood Ear (Auricularia Auricula) has shown antitumor and cholesterol-lowering properties. They contain Vitamin B, C, D and iron.

Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) mushrooms have been used as a cure for disease for over 2,000 years. According to The Medicinal Benefits of Mushrooms by William H. Lee, R.Ph., Ph.D., Reishi increases vitality, improves coronary arteries, inhibits platelet aggregation, normalizes blood pressure, relieves stress and asthma and prevents and treats certain types of cancer and other degenerative diseases. The beta-glucans found in Reishi support the body's immune system in fighting cancer cells and countering the effects of aging. According to Jones in Reishi: Ancient Herb for Modern Times, Reishi is even more effective in fighting cancer when supplemented by vitamin C. Reishi also works as an antihistamine by inhibiting agents that cause cold symptoms, hay fever, asthma, and allergies and promotes respiratory health.

For informational purposes only, consult a health professional for medical problems. Warning: Mushrooms can interact with some over-the-counter and prescription drugs; check with your health care provider.

Monday, October 11, 2010

HARVESTING

After casing the small pin head buttons develop and with in another 7 days mushrooms are ready for harvest. Stir the top of the bed after first harvest and spray water regularly. (Second harvest can be obtained in another 10 days). Disturb the topsoil after second harvest and spray water as regular. (Third harvest can be done after 10 days and for commercial cultivation a maximum of three harvests is recommended). The mushroom yield of 700 –800 grams can be obtained from 500 grams dry weight of the straw, providing all optimum conditions inside the mushroom shed.

MILKY MUSHROOM - CASING

(The fully spawn run beds can be shifted to blue coloured tent after casing for initiation of buttons.)

In the case of milky mushroom, an extra process called casing has to be done to induce button formation. After casing operation the beds should be arranged inside the Blue polythene covered pit tent for the growth of the mushroom. The fungus requires an optimum temperature of 30-35° C and relative humidity of 80-85 per cent for the better growth and production of sporocarp. In addition, the fungus needs a light intensity of 2500- 3000-lux for production of buttons, and the cased beds should be kept inside the blue tent.

CASING
Casing nothing but application of thin layer of sterilized soil on the surface of mushroom bed to induce buttons formation. For casing, garden land soil rich in calcium is preferable. Instead of that soil and river sand , mixed in equal proportion can also be used. Sometimes the soil is mixed with Calcium carbonate @ 100 g/ kg and used as a casing medium. The soil used for casing process should be free of stones and stubble and has to be sterilized before casing. The soil is taken in a mud pot or a vessel and steamed in an autoclave or pressure for 45 minutes. (Soil can also be mixed with a little quantity of water and sterilized for this purpose). The soil is used for casing after cooling.

Take the fully spawn run bed and cut horizontally into two equal halves. Compact the beds as much as possible by pressing firmly with hand. Apply casing soil to a height of 1 cm and press it gently. Spray the water sufficiently to wet the cased soil. Place the beds inside the blue tent. Observe the beds daily and spray water, if necessary, to keep the beds wet.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Button Mushrooms Contain As Much Anti-Oxidants As Expensive Ones

The humble white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) has as much, and in some cases, more anti-oxidant properties than more expensive varieties.

Although the button mushroom is the foremost cultivated edible mushroom in the world with thousands of tonnes being eaten every year, it is often thought of as a poor relation to its more exotic and expensive cousins and to have lesser value nutritionally.

But according to new research in SCI's Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, the white button mushroom has as much anti-oxidant properties as its more expensive rivals, the maitake and the matsutake mushrooms - both of which are highly prized in Japanese cuisine for their reputed health properties including lowering blood pressure and their alleged ability to fight cancer.

Anti-oxidants are believed to help ward off illness and boost the body's immune system by acting as free radical scavengers, helping to mop up cell damage caused by free radicals.

Dr Jean-Michel Savoie and his team from the Institut National de la Recherche Agrinomique, a Governmental research institute in France, found that anti-radical activity was equivalent to, if not more, than the better known mushrooms when they measured the respective mushrooms' free radical scavenging ability.

The French team also found that the body of the mushroom had a higher concentration of anti-oxidants than the stalk.

Dr Jean-Michel said: "It can be reasonably assumed that white button mushrooms have as much, if not more, radical scavenging power as mushrooms currently touted for their health benefit. The good thing is button mushrooms are available all year round, are cheap and may be an excellent source of nutrition as part of a healthy diet."

What is oyster mushroom ?

The oyster mushroom has obtained its name from its shape. The shape looks like an oyster. They are very common is temperate regions of the world. They can be seen over some dead trees or barks. They take their food from the dead bark and they grow by that food. Some sources say that they are one of the carnivorous mushrooms, which take animals as prey, and they feed upon them. They are very important to have a balanced eco system. They contribute to a very large portion of the food chain.

Various vitamins in oyster mushroom

This oyster mushroom has various vitamins like A, B complex, C, etc. They are very important in their respective function. They are also very good for health. The vitamin C and D are water-soluble whereas the vitamin A and B are not water-soluble but they are fat-soluble. So it is very essential to take more of water-soluble vitamins and a less amount of fat-soluble. This is one of the major reasons why the oyster mushroom is preferred in the daily menu, as this contains a lot of water-soluble vitamins rather than fat-soluble vitamins.

Effective cultivation of oyster mushroom

They require moisture to grow. The moisture content present in ambient air can provide necessary environment for comprehensive growth both in size and shape. They need not be cultivated like other crops but they can be grown on trees in the forest region, which are normally humid and have very high moisture, content in the air. They spread from one place to another through spores, which uses air or water as a medium to move from one place to another. As they are very less in weight they can move through air for a long distance and can spread through a large area. They do not require any fertilizers or pesticides to grow them. They have the capability to grow on their own.

Introduction

It is very important to all of us to maintain good health to lead a healthy life. We can do this in many ways. One of which is to take care of the diet that you are taking. The diet, which you are taking, should contain all the essential vitamins and should be able to give you just enough calories, which can help you to do work. This is why oyster mushroom is very essential in our daily menu. It contains the exact amount of all the things in it. This has a very less fat content and a lot of proteins and a large variety of vitamins, which can help you to maintain a well balanced diet.