Cultivation of Agaricus bisporus enriched with selenium, zinc and copper.

BACKGROUND: Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom) is an important culinary and medicinal species of worldwide importance. The present study investigated for the first time whether it may be grown on substrates supplemented with Se alone or in combination with Cu and/or Zn (0.1-0.8 mmol L(-1) ) to produce fruiting bodies of increased nutritional value.

RESULTS: As found, substrate supplementation did not affect yielded biomass up to 0.6 mmol L(-1) element concentrations regardless of the cultivation model. At 0.8 mmol L(-1) Se + Cu and Se + Zn supplementation biomass comparable with controls still developed. The accumulation of trace elements in the fruiting bodies generally increased over the concentration gradient reaching its maximum at 0.6 mmol L(-1) (for Se + Zn and Se + Cu + Zn) and 0.8 mmol L(-1) (for Se and Se + Cu). The organic Se constituted the greatest share in total Se quota. As calculated, each 10 g of dried fruiting bodies of A. bisporus obtained from 0.6 or 0.8 mmol L(-1) supplementation would represent 342-469% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for Se, 43.4-48.5% for Cu and 5.2-5.8% for Zn.

CONCLUSION: Considering inexpensive methods of A. bisporus cultivation, global popularity and use of this mushroom, its biofortification with Se, Cu and Zn could have a practical application in deficiency prevention and assisted treatment. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.