Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology

White mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) cultivation has expanded widely due to improved production technologies, while optimization of substrate composition and the use of nano-fertilizers offer promising approaches to enhance yield, nutritional quality, nutrient efficiency, and environmental sustainability in mushroom farming. This study investigates how different concentrations of copper and iron nanoelements affect the amino acid and β-glucan content in white mushrooms. Copper and nano-iron (CuONPs and FeONPs) were tested at different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm) to determine their effectiveness in increasing amino acid and β-glucan levels. CuONPs and FeONPs were extracted from wheat straw to create compost, which was then used to cultivate white mushrooms. Nanoparticles were sprayed at varying concentrations to assess their impact on the amino acid and β-glucan content of fruiting bodies.

The amino acid analysis results show that treatment with CuONPs at a concentration of 5 ppm increased amino acid concentrations when compared to the control sample that was not exposed to nanoparticles. The study found a significant change in peak intensity and area, as well as an increase in amino acid concentrations, between 2.9 and 13.94 minutes. CuONP treatment at 5 ppm raised the concentration of aspartic acid from 25.65 to 29.88 mg/100 g. The concentration of glycine increased from 15.98 to 19.50 mg/100 g, while lysine increased from 18.66 to 21.05 mg/100 g. Isoleucine concentration rose from 19.87 to 23.05 mg/100 g, indicating that several amino acids were significantly concentrated. This could imply that treatment with CuONPs at 10 ppm boosted metabolic activity. The detention times ranged from 2.05 to 13.93 minutes. Following treatment with 10 ppm CuONP, the concentration of aspartic acid in the comparison sample increased from 25.65 mg/100g to 35.98 mg/100g. This indicates higher quality and nutritional value. The concentration of the amino acid glycine increased from 15.98 mg/100g in the comparison sample to 26.80 mg/100g.

HPLC analysis of β-glucan revealed that the control treatment had two peaks at retention times of 4.05 and 5.89 minutes. The first peak was at 80% concentration, indicating the presence of one primary and two secondary compounds. The β-Glucan sample with a concentration of 5 ppm showed a single peak at 4.09 minutes with a percentage of 100%. The disappearance of the second peak suggests high purity and homogeneity. CuONPs treatment at 5 ppm resulted in a larger total area of peaks for β-glucan (22,564.08 mAU·s) than the comparison sample (2,693.25 mAU·s). The relative distribution of the peaks was identical in both cases, with 80% for the primary compound and 20% for the secondary compound. CuONP treatment at 20 ppm resulted in two distinct peaks of β-Glucan content with retention times of 4.0 and 5.8 minutes, as compared to the control. Both samples show the same retention time, indicating no qualitative changes in β-glucan composition or new compounds after treatment. CuONP treatment at 20 ppm increased peak area to 30667.06 mAU·s, compared to the headquarters sample (20693.25). The relative distribution of the peaks was consistent in both cases, with 80% for the main compound and 20% for the secondary compound. Nano-copper treatment at 20 ppm resulted in significantly higher β-glucan content than the control. FeONP treatment at 20 ppm produced a larger peak area of 38241. The difference was 19 mAU·s versus 20693.25 mAU·s in the comparison sample. The peak distribution was consistent in both cases, with 80% for the main compound and 20% for the secondary compound.