Embedded Files
Genus Pleurotus
History
History
Pleurotus ostreatus, a well known oyster mushroom, was first grown for human consumption in Germany during World War I and since then has been studied as a possible means to turn waste such as sawdust into a food source. (Eger et al., 1976)
Pleurotus ostreatus, a well known oyster mushroom, was first grown for human consumption in Germany during World War I and since then has been studied as a possible means to turn waste such as sawdust into a food source. (Eger et al., 1976)
- Commercial growth of mushrooms has increased dramatically, particularly oyster mushrooms (Beyer, 2016)
- Also investigated for mycoremediation, the process of using mushrooms to remove and/or break down pollutants
- Effective at removing organic micropollutants from water (Hultberg, 2020)
- Excellent for Cadmium remediation (Chen, 2018)
- Relatively easy to grow on your own
"White Mushrooms Oyster"PixbayCC0
Habitat
Habitat
Oyster mushrooms are found in both tropical and temperate climates around the world.
Oyster mushrooms are found in both tropical and temperate climates around the world.
- Pleurotus pulmonarius and Pleurotus populinus are two oyster mushrooms commonly found in the Pacific Northwest (Trudell, 2009)
- While oyster mushrooms can grow anywhere, they are most commonly found on trees (Osipian, n.d.)
- Prefer deciduous trees, but some species can be found on conifers (Osipian, n.d.)
Medicinal Properties
Medicinal Properties
Research has shown that oyster mushrooms, specifically Pleurotus ostreatus, reduce oxidative damage to cells that is associated with aging. (Thomas et al., 2014)
Research has shown that oyster mushrooms, specifically Pleurotus ostreatus, reduce oxidative damage to cells that is associated with aging. (Thomas et al., 2014)
- Low in calories and sodium (US Department of Agriculture)
- Cholesterol free and essentially fat free (US Department of Agriculture)
- High in protein, fiber, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus (US Department of Agriculture)
- High in vitamins B1, B3, B5, B12, and D (Christopher Hobbs, 1995, Medicinal Mushrooms)
- Polysaccharides from oyster mushrooms have been shown to possess anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties (Jedinak et al., 2011)
"Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom), gills from below. Sycamore tree host."Rosser 1954 Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Culinary Uses
Culinary Uses
In general, oyster mushrooms tend to be mild, unlike other mushrooms that sometimes have a strong, earthy flavor. Their flavor is often compared to a subtle taste of anise. (Watson, 2020)
In general, oyster mushrooms tend to be mild, unlike other mushrooms that sometimes have a strong, earthy flavor. Their flavor is often compared to a subtle taste of anise. (Watson, 2020)
- Often sautéed and served in soups, atop pasta, or in stir-fries
- Popular in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine
- Used similarly to meat in modern Czech and Slovak cooking
- Frying, roasting, and grilling maintains firmer texture, while braising and sautéing softens them
- Popular as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes
Morphology
Morphology
Oyster mushrooms are most often white-rot fungi on deciduous trees. They are saprotroph's rather than parasites as they feed on the decaying matter of trees but are not the cause of the decay. Generally there is no stipe (stem) and the caps are laterally attached. If there is a stipe then it is eccentric (not in the center) and the gills are decurrent along it, meaning they attach down the length of the stipe rather than at the top (Trudell, 2009).
Oyster mushrooms are most often white-rot fungi on deciduous trees. They are saprotroph's rather than parasites as they feed on the decaying matter of trees but are not the cause of the decay. Generally there is no stipe (stem) and the caps are laterally attached. If there is a stipe then it is eccentric (not in the center) and the gills are decurrent along it, meaning they attach down the length of the stipe rather than at the top (Trudell, 2009).
- Cap: a broad fan or oyster shape (5-25 cm)
- Gills: white/cream descending on the stalk if present
- Flesh: white, firm, variable thinness
- Spores: smooth and elongated
- Margin: rolled in when young often smooth and lobed/wavy
- Toxic Lookalikes: Omphalotus nidiformis, Omphalotus olivascens, Clitocybe dealbata
- Fun Fact: P. ostreatus is actually carnivorous and can kill and digest nematodes and bacteria
Resource List
Resource List
- Beyer, D.M. (2016, June 27). Cultivation of oyster mushrooms. PennState extension. https://extension.psu.edu/cultivation-of-oyster-mushrooms
- Chen, M., Zheng, X., Chen, L., & Li, X. (2018). Cadmium-resistant oyster mushrooms from North China for mycoremediation. Pedosphere, 28(6), 848-855. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(18)60047-5
- Eger, G., Eden, G. & Wissig, E. (1976). Pleurotus ostreatus – breeding potential of a new cultivated mushroom. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 47(4), 155–163.
- How to grow oyster mushrooms. (n.d.). GroCycle. Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://grocycle.com/how-to-grow-oyster-mushrooms/
- Hultberg, M., Ahrens, L., & Golovko, O. (2020). Use of lignocellulosic substrate colonized by oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) for removal of organic micropollutants from water. Journal of Environmental Management, 272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111087
- Jedinak, A., Dudhgaonkar, S., Wu, Q.-L., Simon, J., & Sliva, D. (2011). Anti-inflammatory activity of edible oyster mushroom is mediated through the inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 signaling. Nutrition Journal, 10, 52. https://doi-org.emporiastate.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-52
- Osipian, M. & Gandia, A. (n.d.). Pleurotus ostreatus oyster mushroom - Oesterzwam. Mediamatic. https://www.mediamatic.net/en/page/10012/pleurotus-ostreatus
- Rabin, R.C. (2018, January 19). What Is the Health and Nutritional Value of Mushrooms?. The New York times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/19/well/eat/what-is-the-health-and-nutritional-value-of-mushrooms.html
- Thomas, P. A., Geraldine, P., & Jayakumar, T. (2014). Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible mushroom, enhances glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ascorbate peroxidase and reduces xanthine dehydrogenase in major organs of aged rats. Pharmaceutical Biology, 52(5), 646–654. https://doi-org.emporiastate.idm.oclc.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.863948
- US Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Mushrooms, oyster, raw. Food data central. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168580/nutrients
- Watson, M. (2020, May 4). What are oyster mushrooms. the spruce eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-oyster-mushrooms-4172003
Page updated
Report abuse