Evaluation Of Pleurotus Florida (White Oyster Mushroom) Cultivated In Amalaki Medium In The Management Of Vitamin D Deficiency

Abstract

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida), known as 'dhingri' in India, grows spontaneously on decaying and dead wooden logs or on dying trunks of deciduous or coniferous trees in temperate and tropical woodlands. In addition to supplementing nutritional requirements, the cultivation of Pleurotus also provides an opportunity for self- employment and mycoremediation. In accordance with conventional cultivation practices Pleurotus florida is grown in paddy straw treated with amalaki. After cultivation, when exposed to sunlight or a UV lamp, oyster mushrooms produce nutritionally significant levels of vitamin D. The vitamin D content of UV-exposed oyster mushrooms is likely to remain at 10ug/100g fresh weight, which is greater than the vitamin D content of the majority of vitamin D-containing foods and comparable to the recommended daily intake of vitamin D at the global level. Vitamin D deficiency leads to reduced calcium absorption, which in turn leads to generalized body pains, hair fall and fatigue which are the most common complaints. Eligible candidates (n=50) were screened by computerized randomization method to receive Pleurotus florida soup during the 03-month study. The efficacy parameters were evaluated through the Vit D 25 (OH) blood investigation.