Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. II. Effect of carbon/nitrogen ratio on the efficiency of substrate utilization and protein production by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

An attempt was made to standardize the C/N ratio at which maximum protein production may be achieved by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus, using sugarcane bagasse for the former two and wheat straw for the latter in the liquid medium. Three different ways of changing the C/N ratios were tried. The optimum levels of carbon and nitrogen required for the best yield, substrate utilization, and protein production efficiency were worked out.