Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. V. Effect of various organic acids and growth promoters on the efficiency of substrate utilization and protein production by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

Results of an investigation made for selecting a source of organic acid and also a growth promoter that can maximize protein production in the three test fungi, viz., Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus from their respective substrates (i.e. sugarcane bagasse for the former two and wheat straw for the latter) are reported. Among organic acids, acetic acid (at 0.1% level) and among the growth promoters ascorbic acid (at 0.1% level) had maximum influence on growth and protein production. Based on the detailed investigations carried out with three test fungi (JAUHRI at. al. 1978, Jauhri and Sen 1978a, b, c, new stuffed media have been formulated for the three test fungi which assure maximum protein efficiency from them.