Investigation of kinetics and nutritional qualities of Lentinus edodes mycoprotein in fed-batch fermentation using soy flour dextrose medium
摘要
Lentinus edodes (L. edodes), a medicinal-edible fungus rich in bioactives, faces challenges in large-scale mycelial production due to low biomass yield and costly substrates. This study explores a repeated fed-batch fermentation strategy using an inexpensive soy flour-dextrose medium to enhance mycoprotein production. Submerged cultivation of L. edodes with 30 g/L glucose, 12.38 g/L soy flour, and a C/N ratio of 12 across four feed cycles yielded 22.6 ± 1.35 g/L biomass (dw), significantly improving bioproductivity by 37% (p < 0.05) over batch mode. Kinetic parameters showed a higher (p < 0.05) specific growth rate (0.17 ± 0.008 D⁻1), biomass yield (0.38 ± 0.039 g/g glucose), and productivity (1.255 ± 0.06 g/L·d). UV-irradiated mycelia exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of vitamin D₂ (50.75 ± 4.6 µg/g), protein (27.57 ± 1.39%), and essential minerals (Ca, 3.56 ± 0.32 mg/g; Cu, 80 ± 7.31 µg/g; Zn, 92.30 ± 7.9 µg/g) compared to fruiting bodies. Essential amino acids, phenolics, flavonoids, and β-glucans, were also enhanced with reduced antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS). GC–MS analysis identified bioactive metabolites with reported antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties. All experiments (n = 3) were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, and t-test (unpaired groups) at p < 0.05. This approach demonstrates potential for scalable L. edodes mycoprotein production, though future studies should address bioreactor performance and process control challenges during scale-up.