ABSTRACT

 The work involved the investigation of the effect of different substrates on the phytochemical, heavy metals and minerals var florida. The highest gross of heavy metals fruit bodies was obtained from the substrate Andropogon gayanus (351.75±0.30), followed by Pennisetum straw (342.41±0.20), while the least was found in Pannicum maximum (338.05±0.01). Similarly, the fruit bodies of substrates Andropogon gayanus weighed more than those from other substrates for both fresh and dry weight. Based on the phytochemical composition, Tannins was found to be highest (0.73±0.02) in mushroom harvested from A.gayanus followed by Pennisetum straw (0.66 ± 0.02) while fruit-bodies harvested from P. maximum gave the lowest (0.55 ± 0.03) phytochemical composition. Based on the mineral composition, result showed that all the fruit bodies obtained from A. gayanus substrates contained appreciable amount of calcium (1.60 ± 0.30), potassium (2.45 ± 0. 10), magnesium (31.25 ± 0.04 ), and sodium (2.30 ± 0.30). Similarly fruit body obtained from P. ostreatus had highest (74.37 ± 0.30) concentration of Phosphorus while significant difference in the amount of Sulphur containing fruit bodies harvesting in all substrates at p<0.05. However, the lowest (0.70±0.10) Calcium composition was recorded in mushroom harvested from P. purpureum. Likewise P.maximum which gave the lowest of Sodium (1.60±0.20) and free Nitrogen (1.80±0.20). The result of the investigations was discussed in line of the best substrates for maximum production of Pleurotus ostreatus fruitbodies with better qualities. The investigation concluded that growing Pluerotus ostreatus on A. gayanus straw produced the highest fruit-bodies among other substrates which will help in the wide production of mushroom for market value. In general, Pleurotus ostreatus contains nutritional properties Also, the result from the investigation revealed that 4.gayanus, Pannicum maximum, and Pennisetum straw could be vital in production of P.ostreatus from fruit bodies with A. gayanus supporting the highest P.ostreatus fruit-body production.People should incorporate the habit of eating mushrooms because of their high nutritional values.