Nauman Khalid

Production of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Osteratus): Special Reference to Pakistan Nauman Khalid

Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, is a common edible mushroom. It was first cultivated in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War II and is now grown commercially around the world for food. Oyster mushroom is called as "king oyster mushroom". Oyster mushrooms can also be used industrially for mycoremediation purposes. The oyster mushroom may be considered a medicinal mushroom, since it contains statins such as lovastatin which work to reduce cholesterol. Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) grows wild in forests of hilly areas in northern Pakistan. These are collected by local people for eating and selling purposes. The sun-dried mushroom is sold in metropolitan departmental stores. Only a few species of Oyster mushroom have been commercially cultivated. It is rated high in taste, amino-acid composition and keeping quality.