Reducing Environmental Pollution by Bioconversion of Vast Quantities of Organic Wastes into Mushrooms.

         Organic solid wastes are a kind of biomass, which are generated annually through the activities of the agricultural,forest and food processing industries.They consist mainly of three components:cellulose,hemicellulose and lignin.The general term for these organic wastes is lignocellulose.It is common knowledge that lignocellulosic wastes are available in abundance both in the rural areas.They have insignificant or less commercial value and certainly no food value, at least in their original form.When carelessly disposed of in the surrounding environment bydumping or burning, these wastes are bound to lead to environmental pollution and consequently health hazards.It should be recognised that the wastes are resources out of place and their proper management and utilization would lead to further economic growth as well.Huge quantities of lignocellulosic and other organic waste residues are generated annually through the activities of agricultural, forest and food processing industries.In 1999, more than3,000 million tons of cereal straws were available in the world and about half of these residues remain unused.All these lignocellulosic waste residues can be used as substrate growing mushrooms;otherwise,they would cause health hazards

Mushroom enzymes can break down lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose present in these organic materials into simpler molecules, which the mushrooms then use for their growth and metabolism.Lignocellulosic compounds are complex and insoluble.They can be treated by various chemicalmethods, e.g. with dilute hydrochloric acid and calcium chloride to increase the digestibility and nutritional qualities, and even to form sugars to serve as carbon sources. However, these chemical methods are tedious and costly. Furthermore,  treatments to eliminate adverse side effects of the chemicals are also very complex.In contrast, mushroom cultivation techniques have become significantly important in recent years in improving nutritional quality and upgrading the economic value of the solid organic wastes. Mushrooms with other fungi are presently only organisms that can synthesize and excrete the relevant hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes that enable them to degrade complex organic substrates into soluble substances which can then be absorbed by the mushrooms for their nutrients,the ability of the different mushroom species to utilize various substrates will depend on both mushroom-and substrate-associated factors.For example, examination of the lignocellulolytic enzymes profiles of the three important commercially cultivated mushrooms exhibit varying abilities to utilise different lignocellulosics as growth substrate.Lentinula edodes is cultivated on highly lignified substrates such as wood or sawdust, produces two extracellular enzymes(manganese peroxidase and laccase) which have been associated with lignin depolymerisation.Conversely,Volvariella volvacea prefers high cellulose- low lignin-containing substrates such as paddy straw and cotton wastes which have relatively low lignin content, and produces a family of cellulolytic enzymes including at least five end oglucanases,five cellobihydrolases and two ß-glucosidases,but none of the recognised lignin-degrading enzymes.

Pleurotus ostreatus is the most adaptable of the three species and can be grown on a wide variety of agricultural waste materials of differing composition in terms of polysaccharide/lignin ration,because it is able to excrete both kinds of cellulose- and lignin-degrading enzymes. 


Mamaland Mushroom Farm(2016).

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Phone:+2550682757566/+255752007108.

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MAMALAND MUSHROOM FARM.: FUNGI MEDICINE-Dr.Kalonga,AE.

MAMALAND MUSHROOM FARM.: FUNGI MEDICINE-Dr.Kalonga,AE.: FUNGI MEDICINE-Dr.Kalonga,AE. Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lif...

#Mushroom_Is_Therapy.

FUNGI MEDICINE-Dr.Kalonga,AE.

FUNGI MEDICINE-Dr.Kalonga,AE.

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.
Countless studies have suggested that increasing consumption of naturally-grown foods like mushrooms decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality,diabetes,heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair,increased energy and overall lower weight.

1) Cancer.

Mushrooms contain just as high an antioxidant capacity as carrots, tomatoes,green and red peppers,pumpkins and green beans.
Selenium is a mineral that is not present in most fruits and vegetables but can be found in mushrooms.It plays a role in liver enzyme function and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body.Additionally,selenium prevents inflammation and also decreases tumor growth rates.
The vitamin D in mushrooms has also been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by contributing to the regulation of the cell growth cycle.The folate in mushrooms plays an important role in DNA synthesis and repair, thus preventing the formation of cancer cells from mutations in the DNA.

2) Diabetes.

Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar,lipids and insulin levels.One cup of grilled oyster mushrooms and one cup of stir-fried shiitake mushrooms both provide about 3 grams of fiber.

3) Heart health.

The fiber,potassium and vitamin C content in mushrooms all contribute to cardiovascular health.Potassium and sodium work together in the body to help regulate blood pressure.Consuming mushrooms which are high in potassium and low in sodium helps to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally,an intake of 3 grams of beta-glucans per day which is found in mushrooms can lower blood cholesterol levels by 5%.Also it naturally contains Lavostatin which is primary used for the treatment of dyslipidemia and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.Lovastatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate.Mevalonate is a required building block for cholesterol biosynthesis and lovastatin interferes with its production by acting as a reversible competitive inhibitor for HMG-CoA,which binds to the HMG-CoA reductase.

4) Immunity. 

Selenium has also been found to improve immune response to infection by stimulating production of killer T-cells.The beta-glucan fibers found in the cell walls of mushrooms stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells and prevent tumors from forming.

5) Weight management and satiety.

Dietary fiber plays an important role in weight management by functioning as a "bulking agent" in the digestive system. Mushrooms contain two types of dietary fibers in their cell walls: beta-glucans and chitin which increase satiety and reduce appetite, making you feel fuller longer and thereby lowering your overall calorie intake.

Dr.Kalonga,AE.

Project Manager.

Mamaland Mushroom Farm(2016).

E-Mail:-Mamalandmushroomproject@gmail.com,

Phone:+2550682757566/+255752007108.

Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin/Google+:Mamaland mushroom farm.

Blog:Mamalandmushroomproject.blogspot.com

WEIRD FACTS ABOUT MUSHROOMS.

WEIRD FACTS ABOUT MUSHROOMS.

 

 

 

                                                                                  

• Mushrooms are more closely related in DNA to humans than to plants.
• Like human skin,mushrooms can produce vitamin D by being exposed to sunlight.In fact, exposing a freshly cut shiitake mushroom, gills up, to the sun for eight hours can increase its vitamin D content by as much as 4,600 times!
• There are approximately 70 miles of mycelium (the root of the mushroom) in one square inch of colonized organic matter,such as a decomposing tree trunk.
• The Honey Mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae) is the world’s largest known organism.This massive organism covers 2,384 acres (nearly four square miles) of soil in Oregon’s Blue Mountains.The fungus is estimated to be 2,400 years old but could be as ancient as 8,650 years.
• Psathyrella aquatica is a gilled mushroom that lives completely under water.
• There are more amino acids in mushrooms than in corn, peanuts,or soybeans.
• Mycelium can use toxic substances such as oil and e coli bacteria as a food source.
• The Mycena family of fungus contains more than 70 species of mushrooms that glow in the dark.These mushrooms produce light by a chemical reaction called bioluminescence.In the past, people illuminated their way through the woods using these glowing pieces of fungus-colonized wood.
  
• In the Amazon Rainforest,mushrooms release spores high into the air, creating the surface for water to condense,thus triggering rain.A feedback loop is created as the rain promotes more fungal growth.
• Over 80 percent of all terrestrial plants have a mycorrhizal relationship with a fungal species.The roots of the plants have a symbiotic relationship with the underground mycelium.Mycelium nourishes the plant’s roots, and in turn,the plant transfers nutrients to the mycelium.
• Fungi use antibiotics to fend off other microorganisms that compete with them for food.
• The antibiotic penicillin was derived from the fungal species Penicillium.
  

 

Mamaland Mushroom Farm(2016).

E-Mail:-Mamalandmushroomproject@gmail.com,

Phone:+2550682757566/+255752007108.

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MUSHROOM PRODUCTION AS A WAY OUT POVERTY TO LANDLESS FARMERS IN TANZANIA-Dr.Kalonga,AE.    

       Mushroom is an important fungi with nutritive and medicinal value.It can also be cultivated domestically in a small scale by landless people.The climate of Tanzania is highly favourable for high volume of mushroom production.The cultivation of mushroom is one of the most lucrative agricultural job.In our study the profitability of mushroom cultivation was found comparatively higher than that of cassava,rice,and cotton,the most popular cash earning crops in Tanzania.As funding to promote the production and consumption of mushrooms is limited,local governments and NGOs can play vital role to develop mushroom agriculture to arise at industrial level which can create ample employment opportunities both in semi-urban and rural areas.This suggests that the potential of mushroom cultivation could be a possible offer to alleviate poverty and develop the life style of the vulnerable people in Tanzania.
       It is hoped that the new hot industry of mushroom cultivation in Tanzania will soon provide an important tool for income generation and the creation of food security for thousands of households. Unlike other agronomic crops,the set-up,costs-benefits and space for mushroom cultivation are recommendable.Fertilizers, machinery and pesticides are not much used, the market price is relatively high and profit margins for mushroom crops can be considerably higher than traditional crops.In general the project takes very little space and can produce returns within a short period of time.Tanzanian farmers who are using local varieties of seed can grow cassava and maize crops that take an average of seven months to reach harvest maturity.This time period is equivalent to at least three cycles of mushrooms cultivation.Considering this scenario,the relative profitability of these three crops can be compared even the input costs of mushrooms enterprise were to be doubled and would still remain more profitable than that of either cassava,maize or rice .Therefore, potential mushrooms cultivation may play an active role to employment generation and thus alleviate poverty.   
        The main objective of this report is to focus on the alternative job opportunities which could be potential income source as well as to prove the economic viability of mushroom cultivation and how it will aid and promote poverty alleviation in Tanzania.The term ‘mushroom’ is ‘a macro-fungus with a distinctive fruiting body which can be either hypogeous or epigeous,large enough to be seen with the naked eye and to be picked by hand.From a biological taxonomic point of view,mainly basidiomycetes but also some species of mushrooms belong to ascomycetes.The number of mushroom species on the earth is estimated to be 1,400,000 and only 10% are known. The proportion of useful mushrooms among the undiscovered and unexamined mushrooms may be 5%,which can be of possible benefit to mankind.

            Mushroom cultivation can be popular to income generation among the women in Tanzania because of its suitability to their works and life style.As they are especially responsible for household works and taking care of their children, thus they can easily accommodate their time for mushroom cultivation.This product is highly nutritious and a good food for their children and the older as well. They also obtain some money from this product because of its high economic value.They can utilize the agricultural waste, and thus mushroom cultivation can improve the life of many poor families in Tanzania.Cultivation of mushrooms is labor intensive for the countries where jobs are rare.In fact, some technologies can use family labour thus providing employment for all of the family members.Unfortunately, funding to promote the production and consumption of mushrooms is limited in Tanzania.But the potential of mushroom cultivation to poverty reduction among the vulnerable groups like women are especially encouraged.In this context,an assistance of the local government is important for the development of mushroom industry which can create job opportunities both in semi-urban and rural areas.Our findings indicate that the growing set-up,costs-benefits and space for mushroom cultivation are recommendable as well as retun-in is easier than other crops.According to estimate of our research,the Capital of 200,000 will earn a profit of between Tsh 800,000 and 1,500,000 within three months of cultivation.In the estimated project,one mushroom grower can produce about 3~4 crop cycles,2 tons per year on average.Therefore,he or she can earn between 8,000,000~10,000,000 Tsh per year.For more information about mushroom cultivation and technical support contact us through address below:

Dr.Kalonga,AE.

Project Manager.

Mamaland Mushroom Farm(2016).

E-Mail:-Mamalandmushroomproject@gmail.com,

Phone:+2550682757566/+255752007108.

Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin/Google+:Mamaland mushroom farm.

Blog:Mamalandmushroomproject.blogspot.com

6 Easy Steps to Grow Oyster Mushrooms-Part 2.

MAMALAND MUSHROOM FARM.

6 Easy Steps to Grow Oyster Mushrooms.

4.Inoculate growing medium so that the mycelia will spread.

The mycelia in your mushroom spawn need to spread into the growing medium thoroughly before producing mushrooms.A warm temperature encourages this growth.

• Mix the spawn into the growing medium with your fingers or sterilized teaspoon.Set the ideal temperature around  to encourage growth.
• Leave the setup in a dark environment,such as a cabinet or shelves designed for mushroom farm for about 2 weeks.This will allow the mushroom mycelia to permeate the growing medium
• 5.Place the growing medium into the proper environment.
  After 2 weeks of dark,you need to place the mushroom growing bags into an environment that has light and cool (about 55 degrees Fahrenheit / 13 degrees Celsius).Well mushroom growing room/farm usually works well for this.
  • You can place a damp towel over the pan to prevent moisture loss if desired.
  • The mushroom growing bags should be kept moist and cool as the mushrooms grow.Check it periodically and spray it with water as necessary. 
  •  
  • 6.Harvest your mushrooms when they are fully grown.
  • 
    In about 3 weeks, you should see small mushrooms appearing. Continue to keep their environment moist,cool and lighter to encourage their growth.
    • When the mushroom caps(primordia) separate fully from their stems,they are ready to harvest.You can pluck the mushrooms out with your fingers,but carefully because this risks damaging the newly developing fungi beneath the surface.
    • It is best to rinse the mushrooms before cooking or eating. You can store harvested mushrooms in a paper bag or in refrigerator for up to a week.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      PREPARED BY:-
      Dr.Kalonga,AE.
      Project Manager.
      Mamaland Mushroom Farm(2016).
      E-Mail:-Mamalandmushroomproject@gmail.com,
      Phone:+2550682757566/+255752007108.
      Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin/Google+:Mamaland mushroom farm.
      Blog:Mamalandmushroomproject.blogspot.com