Compositional changes of cottonseed hull substrate during P-ostreatus growth and the effects on the feeding value of the spent substrate

The dry matter and composition of cottonseed hull substrate for P. ostreatu s cultivation were tested at different growth stages. As protein, cellulose , hemicellulose and lignin were used by P. ostreatus, the compositional pro files of the substrate were changed greatly, but their rates of change vari ed at different growing stages. The increase of protein content and the red uction of lignocellulose content contributed to the increase in the dry mat ter digestibility of the spent substrate, making it possibly acceptable as a kpotential ruminant feed. This could provide an alternative to environmen tally sound use of P. ostreatus spent substrate. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.