ABSTRACT

The proximate compositions, pH, cellulose and hemicellulose compositions of the fruit bodies of. Pleurotus pulmonarius (FR.) Quel cultivated on Oil Palm Bunch Fibre (OPBF) treated with HCI at varying concentration were determined. Data obtained from these were subjected to ANOV A in a CRD and replicated 3 times for the various concentration levels of HCI treatment (0.1- 0.3 ). There was a significant differences (p<0.05) within the various analysis carried out. The values of the proximate compositions of the fruit-bodies of Pleurotus pulmonarius cultivated on Oil Palm Bunch Fibre treated with HCI at varying concentration varied. The values ranged from 22.84% of protein in control level to 29.75% in the 0.3treated OPBF, with the fat content decreasing from 6.48% at the control level to 4.55% at the 0.3%-treated OPBF. The crude fibre contents of the fruit-bodies increased from 8.53% at the control level to I 0.82%at the 0.3% treatment level. The ash contents of the fruit-bodies were highest at the 0.3% treated OPBF (10.85%) and was least at the control level (9.40%). The moisture contents of the fruit-bodies varied with irregular differences amongst them with the 0.2% treated OPBF having the highest moisture value as 5.75% and the least from 0.4%-treated OPBF (4.80%). The carbohydrate contents of the fruit-bodies decreased as the treatment level increased. The control level had the highest carbohydrate value as 43.91% and the least was at the 0.3% treated OPBF (39.24%). Similarly, the pH of the substrate before cultivation ranged from 7.90 - 9.10 which is slightly high for mycelial development and the pH of the fruit-bodies ranged from 6.00- 7.10. The cellulose and hemicellulose compositions of the fruit-bodies decreased as the treatment level of the OPBF increased. The cellulose content was highest at the control level (8.38%) and least at the 0.3%treated OPBF level (4.70%) likewise the hemicellulose was 3.75% at the control level and 2.45% at the 0.3%treated OPBF level.