Michael Davis
Mushroom cultivators need to understand and optimize biological efficiency and yield to improve their production. Biological efficiency, or BE, is a calculation that measures the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination. It was originally developed by the button mushroom industry to grade strains of mushrooms. The formula for BE is (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%. A biological efficiency of 100% occurs when 1 lb of fresh mushrooms is harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate, over multiple flushes. The dry weight of the substrate is used in the calculation, which can be confusing because much of the weight of a fruiting block or straw log is water. The type of substrate used can also impact BE, with cotton seed yielding a higher BE than sawdust for oyster mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Biological efficiency (BE) is a way to calculate the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination when growing mushrooms. |
| Calculation | BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100% |
| Interpretation | 100% biological efficiency occurs when 1 lb of fresh mushrooms is harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate, over multiple flushes. |
| Considerations | The calculation uses the weight of dry substrate, which may be misleading as much of the weight of a fruiting block or straw log is water. |
| Alternative | Using the "wet-weight" is a useful measure for mushroom growers to quantify the efficiency of their grows. |
| Yield | The yield for mushrooms can vary between flushes, with the first flush sometimes yielding the largest amount. |
| Harvest Timing | Picking mushrooms when they are small will decrease BE, while picking mushrooms late will increase overall yield but may decrease quality. |
| Substrate Composition | Substrate composition, including bio-fortified essential elements, is critical to enabling a continuous supply of fruiting bodies of marketable quality. |
| Oyster Mushroom Substrates | Cotton seed, paper waste, wheat straw, and sawdust have been tested as substrates for oyster mushroom production, with cotton seed yielding the highest biological efficiency. |
| Mushroom Species | Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), enokitake (Flammulina velutipes), king oyster (Pleurotus eryngii), and button (Agaricus bisporus) mushrooms have been studied for their bioconversion efficiency. |
| Bioconversion Efficiency | Oyster mushroom exhibited the highest efficiency of protein bioconversion, while enokitake stood out in fiber ratio, king oyster in fat ratio, and button mushroom in carbohydrate ratio. |
| Commercial Considerations | The selection of mushroom species for commercial cultivation depends on factors such as grower's investment, facilities, substrate preparation, raw materials, environmental conditions, taste, aroma, and texture. |
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What You'll Learn
- Biological efficiency formula: BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%
- Oyster mushrooms have the highest efficiency of protein bioconversion ratio
- Picking mushrooms when they are small will decrease BE
- Cotton seed is the best substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation
- Mushroom yield is the amount of fresh mushrooms produced with your space, substrate and other constraints
Biological efficiency formula: BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%
Biological efficiency, often referred to as BE, is a way to calculate the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination when growing mushrooms. It was originally developed by the button mushroom industry to grade certain strains of mushrooms. The formula for calculating biological efficiency is BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%.
The formula uses the weight of all mushrooms harvested from a substrate over multiple flushes. The calculation uses the weight of the dry substrate, so it is possible, and common, to achieve a biological efficiency greater than 100%.
For example, if you harvest 2 lbs of King Oyster mushrooms from a 5-lb supplemented sawdust fruiting block, the BE would be 105% (2 lbs/1.9 lbs), where the total dry weight of the substrate is 1.9 lbs (each block contains 3.1 lbs of water, weighing about 1.9 lbs without).
The yield for your mushrooms can vary between flushes, so using the total yield is a better indicator of performance. It is sometimes better to go for a larger yield on the first flush, as future flushes may have diminishing returns. The timing of picking mushrooms also affects overall yield and biological efficiency. Picking mushrooms when they are small will decrease BE, whereas picking mushrooms late will allow for a larger overall yield, but the quality may be less.
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Oyster mushrooms have the highest efficiency of protein bioconversion ratio
Oyster mushrooms, or Pleurotus ostreatus, have the highest efficiency of protein bioconversion ratio, according to a 2023 study. This makes them an excellent choice for food production. The bioconversion efficiency was calculated by dividing the dry weight of the substrate by the dry weight of the mushroom, resulting in the ratio of proximate composition.
Biological efficiency, often referred to as BE, is a way to calculate the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination when growing mushrooms. It was originally developed by the button mushroom industry to grade certain strains. By definition, 100% biological efficiency occurs when 1 lb of fresh mushrooms is harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate, over multiple flushes. The formula for calculating BE is: BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%.
The yield for your mushrooms can vary between flushes, so using the total yield from all flushes until the substrate block is completely spent is a better indicator of performance. The timing of picking mushrooms also affects the overall yield and BE. Picking mushrooms when they are small will decrease BE, while picking them later will increase yield but may decrease quality.
Mushrooms are considered functional foods as they have health benefits beyond their nutritional value. They are a good source of vitamin D, minerals, polysaccharides, dietary fibre, and protein. Oyster mushrooms, in particular, are sought after as functional foods due to their taste, aroma, flavour, nutritional benefits, and medicinal properties. They contain high levels of protein, fibre, vitamins B complex, C and D2, and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, and essential amino acids.
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Picking mushrooms when they are small will decrease BE
When growing mushrooms, it is important to understand and optimize the parameters of mushroom yield and biological efficiency. Biological efficiency, often referred to as BE, is a measure developed by the button mushroom industry to grade certain strains of mushrooms. It is calculated as:
> BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%
The calculation uses the weight of dry substrate, which can be confusing for growers because much of the weight of a fruiting block or straw log is water. It is important to note that the weight of the harvest should be in fresh weight, not dry weight.
To increase BE, one strategy is to pick mushrooms when they are larger. Picking mushrooms when they are small, such as Agaricus species in the button stage, will decrease BE. This is because the yield, or the amount of fresh mushrooms produced, is an important factor in determining BE. By allowing the mushrooms to grow larger, the overall yield will be higher, resulting in a greater BE.
However, it is important to find the right balance, as picking mushrooms too late may result in a decrease in quality due to the fruits being past their prime. The optimal harvesting time will depend on the species of mushrooms and the intended storage methods. Additionally, it is worth noting that the harvesting technique, such as cutting or pulling, has little impact on future yields, according to long-term studies. Therefore, the focus should be on achieving the desired yield and quality while also being mindful of sustainable practices, such as minimizing trampling and leaving some mushrooms behind to ensure the long-term health of the mushroom population.
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Cotton seed is the best substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation
Cotton seed hulls are considered one of the most efficient substrate materials for oyster mushroom cultivation. The hulls contain hot water extracts and alcohol extracts that mushrooms can easily utilise. They are also easy to dry and store for long periods of time. If the substrate needs to be sterilised or pasteurised, cotton waste is a good option as it emits extra heat. Cotton seed hulls are the coating of cotton seeds that remain after the cotton has been peeled off. As a waste material of the cooking oil industry, it is a sustainable option for mushroom cultivation.
However, cotton seed hulls cannot absorb water thoroughly, and it is challenging to remove excess water if they become overwetted. During fermentation, concentrated gas cannot escape to the outer surface of the hull, so the control of gas and water is critical for successful cultivation.
To calculate the biological efficiency (BE) of cotton seed hulls in oyster mushroom cultivation, the following formula can be used:
BE = (weight of mushroom harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%
For example, if 2 lbs of oysters are harvested from a dry substrate weighing 1.9 lbs, the BE would be 105%. It is common to achieve a biological efficiency greater than 100% due to the use of the weight of the dry substrate in the calculation.
The timing of mushroom harvesting also impacts overall yield and biological efficiency. Picking mushrooms when they are smaller will decrease the BE, while picking them later will result in a larger yield but potentially lower quality. Cultivators must find the ideal time to harvest to achieve the desired yield and quality.
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Mushroom yield is the amount of fresh mushrooms produced with your space, substrate and other constraints
Mushroom yield refers to the amount of fresh mushrooms produced within a given set of constraints, such as the available space and substrate. The yield is a crucial factor in determining the cost-effectiveness of mushroom cultivation, with larger yields generally resulting in more favourable economics.
To optimise mushroom yield, growers must consider various factors, including strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. Among these, strain selection is critical, as different strains exhibit varying yield characteristics. For instance, cordyceps and shiitake mushrooms have demonstrated significant differences in yield depending on the chosen strain.
Substrate preparation is another essential aspect of maximising yield. Growers can choose from various substrates, including straw, logs, supplemented sawdust blocks, and coffee grounds, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Supplementation, or the addition of a nitrogen-rich nutrient to the substrate, can also increase yield by providing the mycelium with enhanced nutritional support. However, excessive supplementation may lead to contamination and reduced yields.
The timing of mushroom harvesting also plays a significant role in overall yield. Picking mushrooms when they are smaller, such as Agaricus species in the button stage, tends to decrease yield. Conversely, allowing mushrooms to grow larger before harvesting results in a higher overall yield but may compromise the quality of the mushrooms due to over-ripeness. Therefore, cultivators must find the optimal harvest time to achieve the desired balance between yield and quality.
To accurately assess mushroom yield, it is common to measure the total weight of fresh mushrooms harvested across all flushes until the substrate block is entirely spent. This comprehensive approach provides a more reliable indicator of performance than relying on individual flush yields, which can vary significantly.
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Frequently asked questions
Biological efficiency (BE) is a way to calculate the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination when growing mushrooms.
Mushroom yield and biological efficiency are important parameters that need to be understood and optimized by the mushroom cultivator. The larger the yield, the more cost-effective the grow.
BE is calculated by dividing the weight of the mushroom harvest by the weight of the dry substrate, then multiplying that number by 100%.
The type of substrate used can influence BE. For example, cotton seed has been shown to result in a higher BE than sawdust. The timing of when mushrooms are picked can also impact BE.
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on cotton seed resulted in a higher BE than when grown on sawdust. In another example, the BE of Oyster mushroom on substrate C80 + WB20 was significantly higher than that on substrates R80 + WB20 and WS80 + WB20.
