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dietary fiber has its own advantages such as energy saving, environmental friendly,
non-toxic, and being specific (Cheung 2013).
2.3.2 Commercial Mushroom Production
in the Asian Tradition
Lentinula edodes (mushroom) is another example of fungal production of dietary
fiber, traditionally grown on evergreen hardwood logs (oak, chestnut, hornbeam)
and is still very widely grown like this in the central highlands in China. The growing region covers an area equal to the entire land area of the European Union. The
logs considered suitable for shiitake (Lentinula edodes) production are over 10 cm
diameter and 1.5 to 2 m long. To minimize pre-infestation by wild fungi or insects,
the logs are normally cut in spring or autumn of each year. Holes drilled in the logs
(or saw or axe cuts) are packed with spawn, and the spawn-filled hole then sealed
with wax or other sealant to protect the spawn from weather. To permit good air
circulation and easy drainage and provide temperatures between 24 °C and 28 °C,
the logs are stacked in laying yards on the open hillside. The logs are kept for 5 to
8 months to grow fungus completely through the log. Finally, the logs are transferred to the raising yard to promote fruit body formation. This procedure is done in
winter to ensure the lower temperature (12–20 °C) and increased moisture which
are required for fruit body initiation. The first crops of mushrooms appear in the first
spring after being moved to the raising yard. Each log will produce 0.5 to 3 kg of
mushrooms, each spring and autumn, for 5 to 7 years. On both land and trees, the
traditional approach to shiitake production is expensive and demanding. Several
other agricultural wastes make suitable substrates for mushroom production of
dietary fibers such as the straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) grown mainly on
rice straw. For the preparations of the substrate, straw bundles are soaked in water
for 24 to 48 hours. The soaked straw is piled into heaps about 1 m high which are
inoculated with spent straw from a previous crop. In less than 1 month, a synchronized flush of egg-like fruit bodies appears. These immature fruit bodies are sold for
consumption just like the young fruits. Comparatively low yields of straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) are generated from the substrate, and it is difficult to
maintain a good quality in post-harvest storage. Within 2–3 days the crop turns
brown and autolyses even in cold storage. These factors restrict the production of
the crop (Moore and Chiu 2001).
2.4 Importance
In human bodies dietary fiber plays a very important role for regulation (Anderson
et al. 2009). Dietary fiber is not able to be decayed in the human gut and affects the
moisture absorption in the digestive system. It increases the volume of food inside
Divya and S. Mishra
dietary fiber has its own advantages such as energy saving, environmental friendly,
non-toxic, and being specific (Cheung 2013).
2.3.2 Commercial Mushroom Production
in the Asian Tradition
Lentinula edodes (mushroom) is another example of fungal production of dietary
fiber, traditionally grown on evergreen hardwood logs (oak, chestnut, hornbeam)
and is still very widely grown like this in the central highlands in China. The growing region covers an area equal to the entire land area of the European Union. The
logs considered suitable for shiitake (Lentinula edodes) production are over 10 cm
diameter and 1.5 to 2 m long. To minimize pre-infestation by wild fungi or insects,
the logs are normally cut in spring or autumn of each year. Holes drilled in the logs
(or saw or axe cuts) are packed with spawn, and the spawn-filled hole then sealed
with wax or other sealant to protect the spawn from weather. To permit good air
circulation and easy drainage and provide temperatures between 24 °C and 28 °C,
the logs are stacked in laying yards on the open hillside. The logs are kept for 5 to
8 months to grow fungus completely through the log. Finally, the logs are transferred to the raising yard to promote fruit body formation. This procedure is done in
winter to ensure the lower temperature (12–20 °C) and increased moisture which
are required for fruit body initiation. The first crops of mushrooms appear in the first
spring after being moved to the raising yard. Each log will produce 0.5 to 3 kg of
mushrooms, each spring and autumn, for 5 to 7 years. On both land and trees, the
traditional approach to shiitake production is expensive and demanding. Several
other agricultural wastes make suitable substrates for mushroom production of
dietary fibers such as the straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) grown mainly on
rice straw. For the preparations of the substrate, straw bundles are soaked in water
for 24 to 48 hours. The soaked straw is piled into heaps about 1 m high which are
inoculated with spent straw from a previous crop. In less than 1 month, a synchronized flush of egg-like fruit bodies appears. These immature fruit bodies are sold for
consumption just like the young fruits. Comparatively low yields of straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) are generated from the substrate, and it is difficult to
maintain a good quality in post-harvest storage. Within 2–3 days the crop turns
brown and autolyses even in cold storage. These factors restrict the production of
the crop (Moore and Chiu 2001).
2.4 Importance
In human bodies dietary fiber plays a very important role for regulation (Anderson
et al. 2009). Dietary fiber is not able to be decayed in the human gut and affects the
moisture absorption in the digestive system. It increases the volume of food inside
Divya and S. Mishra