Cellulase Activity in the Growing Media and Physicochemical Content of the Auricularia auricula -Judae Fruiting Body

This study examined the cellulase activity from Auricularia auricula-judae planting media before harvest and the physicochemical content of the A. auricula-judae fruiting body. Cellulase enzyme activity was determined by calculating the reducing sugars of the medium using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method. The optimum activities of cellulase enzymes and reducing sugar content in the second harvest were 1.63 (U/mL) and 22.39 (mg/mL) at pH 8.0 respectively. The physicochemical results of the fruiting body at the 2nd harvest proximate (%) levels of water, ash, fat, protein, carbohydrates, crude fiber respectively as 12.96; 0.54; 0.85; 5,46; 50.14; 21.27. Ear mushroom cultivation media have reduced sugar as raw material which is fermentable into bio-ethanol or other chemicals.