PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BANANA PSEUDO-STEM FERMENTED WITH PLEUROTUS TUBER-REGIUM

Abstract

The study was aimed at investigating the physicochemical changes in banana pseudo-stem (BPS) during a 20-day solid-state fermentation with Pleurotus tuber-regium . The experiment which was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD), comprised of two treatments (T1 and T2) replicated thrice. One of the portions of the dried and ground BPS was composted and inoculated with P. tuber-regium as T2 while the untreated portion referred to as T1 (control). The
physicochemical characteristics were analyzed for both fermented and unfermented BPS. Data generated were analyzed using the student t-test to determine the statistical effects of the treatment. The mushroom failed to colonize the composted BPS due to the production of high levels of ammonia gas in acidic pH (5.9–6.7) of the substrate. The results revealed significant reductions (p<0.05) in Water holding capacity (WHC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), swelling capacity (SWC), crude protein (CP), Gross Energy (GE) and metabolizable energy (ME) values due to the degradation process. Similarly, the fiber fraction results showed significant reductions (p<0.05) in the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose contents of the fermented BPS. It was concluded that banana pseudo-stem may not be suited for king tuber mushroom mycelia colonization using the method described in this study. It is recommended that the composting method adopted for the banana pseudo-stem be reviewed either by extending composting period or blending with other substrates.