Pleurotus biomass production on vinasse and its potential use for aquaculture feed

• Published in: Mycology 2015-01, Vol.6 (1), p.28-34
• Main Authors: Sartori, S.B, Ferreira, L.F.R, Messias, T.G, Souza, G, Pompeu, G.B, Monteiro, R.T.R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alcohols; aquaculture feeds; basidiomycete; biomass; biomass production; body weight; Danio rerio; diet; fermentation; fish; freeze drying; fungi; manufacturing; microbial growth; mycelium; nutrients; organic matter; Pleurotus; Pleurotus sajor-caju; ration; sugarcane; toxicity; toxicity testing; toxicology; vinasse
• ISSN: 2150-1211; 2150-1203; 2150-1211
• DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2014.988769

The vinasse is a by-product generated during the manufacture of alcohol from sugarcane fermentation. Rich in organic matter, it is known that the vinasse has the potential to be used as a source of nutrients for plants as well as microorganisms. In this study, the fungi Pleurotus sajor-caju, P. ostreatus, P. albidus and P. flabellatus were cultivated in vinasse and utilised as a complementary diet for Danio rerio fish. The fungi mycelia cultured in vinasse for 15 days were lyophilised and offered to the fishes at a rate of 2% (medium/body weight) for 28 days. P. albidus produced the highest biomass (16.27 g L ⁻¹). Bromatological analysis of mycelia showed similar values to commercial rations. Toxicity tests showed that fish survival was 100% and no significant biomass loss was observed, indicating that the tested fungi grown in vinasse showed no toxicity. Our results showed that vinasse is a promising by-product for fungal growth and the mycelia of Pleurotus sp. fungi can be included in the diets of fish as a nutritional supplement.