Auricularia polytricha was cultivated on a sawdust basal substrate supplemented with different proportions (30%, 45%, and 60%, respectively) of stalks of three grass plants, i.e., Panicum repens (PRS), Pennisetum purpureum (PPS), and Zea mays (ZMS), to determine the most effective substrate. The mycelial growth rate, total colonization time, days to primordial formation, biological efficiency and chemical composition of fruiting bodies were evaluated. The results indicated that 30PPS was the best substrate for mycelial growth of A. polytricha, with a corresponding total colonization period of 32.0 days. With the exception of 30PPS, the total biological efficiency of all of the substrates containing P. repens stalk, P. purpureum stalk and Z. mays stalk was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control. The most suitable substrate with a high biological efficiency was 60PRS (148.12%), followed by 30ZMS (145.05%), 45ZMS (144.15%) and 30PRS (136.68%). The nutrient values of fruiting bodies were affected by different substrates. The ash contents of A. polytricha cultivated on a substrate containing Z. mays stalk were higher than that of the control; meanwhile, the protein contents of mushroom cultivated on a substrate containing P. repens stalk (except substrate 45PRS) were higher than that of the control. The biological efficiency of the substrates was tested, and according to the results, it is feasible to use the stalks of P. repens and Z. mays on partially replaced sawdust to cultivate A. polytricha.

Palmyra palm syrup, produced from Borassus flabellifer flowers’ sap, is rich in nutrients and minerals and has unique flavors. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity, physicochemical characteristics, and Maillard reaction products of palmyra palm syrup prepared by thermal and ultrafiltration processes. Palmyra palm syrup prepared by a thermal process had smaller L*, b* values, and larger a* values than that prepared by an ultrafiltration process. Palmyra palm syrup contained 10 vitamins, the most abundant being vitamin E. Overall, 38 volatile compounds were found and classified into six groups in the order of alcohols > acids > ketones > sulfurs > pyrazines > phenols and aldehyde. Volatile compounds depended on concentration, temperature, and ultrafiltration process. Protein content decreased because of participation in the Maillard reaction and increased 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and total phenolic content. The HMF content was very low (0.02–14.95 mg/100 g). The radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-1 picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) in palmyra palm syrup with thermal process was higher than with ultrafiltration. This study established that ultrafiltration pretreatment of palmyra palm syrup generated a good appearance and reduced the HMF content, however, it negatively affected the volatile compounds and physicochemical characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of different spent mushroom sawdust wastes (SMSWs) and different proportions of SMSWs as potential substrates for the cultivation of Auricularia polytricha by evaluating yield and biological efficiency of the fruiting body. Nine SMSWs were respectively utilized as the main ingredient in the cultivation of A. polytricha. Then, spent Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus cystidiosus, and Pleurotus ostreatus sawdust wastes were screened among these nine SMSWs to be utilized as substrate and to determine the suitable proportion of SMSW in the cultivation of A. polytricha based on their yields and biological efficiencies. The highest yield and biological efficiency (total of two flushes) of A. polytricha cultivation on a single SMSW substrate was obtained with spent P. eryngii sawdust waste, followed by spent P. cystidiosus and P. ostreatus sawdust wastes. These three SMSWs were then applied in nine combination substrates, which were screened based on yield and biological efficiency for cultivation of A. polytricha. The combination substrate with the highest yield and biological efficiency of A. polytricha cultivation was P. eryngii (PES) + P. cystidiosus spent sawdust (PCYS) (235.4 g/bag yield and 58.85% biological efficiency); its yield was 1.62 folds higher than that of the control. From the results, we found that it was feasible to use spent sawdust wastes of P. eryngii and P. cystidiosus to replace sawdust for cultivation of A. polytricha.

Oyster shell waste has led to many problems, including displeasing odors, pollution of the seaside, and harm to the environment. Using calcined oyster shells as a natural preservative might solve the problem of oyster shell waste. We studied the use of calcined oyster shell powder (COSP) as a natural preservative for improving shrimp shelf-life over 12 days under refrigerated conditions. As compared with the control, COSP treatment effectively retarded pH change, reduced the formation of total volatile basic nitrogen, and inhibited bacterial growth during refrigerated storage. In addition, shrimp muscle lipid oxidation measured by peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was decreased during storage. The quality was preserved up to 12 days with 2.0–4.0% COSP treatment as compared with only 6 days for un-treated shrimp. The development of preservatives for aquatic products is expected to delay growth of and spoilage by microorganisms in the refrigerated state, thus providing more barrier protection for aquatic food safety.

Two prevalent issues with Gastrodia elata growing in a natural wild environment are the necessary symbiotic seed germination with Mycena spp. and the long growing cycle of protocorms into mature rhizomes with Armillaria mellea. This study explored the most suitable nutrients to germinate seeds and the developmental stages and propagated protocorm/juvenile rhizomes (jrhs) through a tissue culture approach. Adding humic acid, mashed potato, peptone, and (indole-3-acetic acid) IAA to the 2 g/L Hyponex 7-6-19 basal medium accelerated seed germination into protocorms with an average length of 2 mm. The nutrients best for the in vitro propagation of jrhs consisted of 1 g/L Hyponex 7-6-19 and MS salts with 1/2 NH₄NO₃ and KNO₃, 2 mg/L BA, 2 mg/L NAA, 2 g/L tryptone, 2 g/L glutamic acid, 1 g/L chitosan, 10 g/L apple puree, 20 g/L mashed potato, 100 mL/L coconut water, and 1.5 g/L A. mellea powder, at a pH level of 6. The maximum length and number of jrhs were 17.2 ± 0.8 mm and 76.6, respectively, in two subcultures. The in vitro propagation system started from seeds of G. elata can be employed as a potential method to propagate protocorm/jrhs for the cultivation of mature rhizomes from indoor or outdoor cultures.