




































Agriculture and Food 

Sciences Research 
ISSN: 2411-6653 
Vol. 2, No. 1, 6-11, 2015 
http://www.asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/AESR 

  

 

* Corresponding Author 

 

 

6 

 

Mycelia Growth of Pink Oyster (Pleurotus Djmour) 

Mushroom in Different Culture Media & Environmental 

Factors 
 

Iftekhar Ahmad
1*

 --- Imran Fuad
2
 --- Zobada Kanak Khan

3
 

 
1
Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 

2, 3 
Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 

 

Abstract 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License 

Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

Contents 
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 

2. Materials and Methods .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 

3. Results .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 

4. Discussion ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10 

References ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The study was undertaken to determine the optimum culture media and different other factors viz: optimum 

culture media composition, pH and temperature for a well-known mushroom- pink oyster (Pleurotus 

djmour). Four different types of culture media as-Potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar (MEA), 

potato yeast dextrose agar (PYDA), and yeast extract agar (YEA) was prepared as different media for 

pure culture growth. Calculation was conducted on average mycelium growth & duration of complete 

mycelium growth. The highest mycelia growth rate (0.24 cm) was observed for potato dextrose agar media 

and the lowest mycelia growth (0.11 cm) was observed in yeast media. The highest mycelia growth rate (0.41 

cm) was observed at 25
0
C and the lowest mycelia growth (0.20cm) was observed at 30

0
C temperature. 

Among the nutrient media compositions the fastest mycelium growth rate was observed in PDA media at 

ratio of 15:150 (Dextrose: Potato) and Minimum mycelia growth rate was observed in PDA media at ratio of 

25:250 (Dextrose: Potato). The pH that gives the highest mycelia growth rate (0.45cm) was observed in the 

pH 6.5 & the lowest (0.11cm) was observed in the pH 4.5 which statistically similar with pH 9.0. 

 
Keywords: Pink oyster, Mycelium growth, Potato dextrose agar (PDA), Malt extract agar (MEA), Potato yeast dextrose agar 
(PYDA), Yeast extract agar (YEA). 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2015, 2(1): 6-11 

 

 

 

 

7 

 

1. Introduction 
Mushroom describes a variety of gilled fungi, with or without stems, and the term is used even to describe both 

the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota and the woody or leathery fruiting bodies of some Basidiomycota. 

Pleurotus djamor, commonly known as the pink oyster mushroom, is a species of fungus in the family Pleurotaceae. 

The potential of mushroom as fungal protein and as a source of medicinal compounds make the production of 

mycelium an attractive prospect. Mushroom mycelium is used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes; mycelial 

biomass powder can be used to formulate various types of health tablets and capsules [1]. The biological efficiency 

of mushroom depends on the development of mycelia in the first cultural stage. Healthy and active mycelial growth 

plays crucial roles in protecting themselves against several stress factors [2]. Mushrooms are the source of extra 

ordinary power and virility and are used in the preparation of many continental dishes and have medicinal properties 

like anti-cancerous, anti-cholesteral, anti-tumorous. Mushrooms are useful against diabetes, ulcer and lungs diseases 

[3]. Mushrooms are the good source of protein, vitamins and minerals [4]. Mushrooms contain about 85-95% water, 

3% protein, 4% carbohydrates, 0.1% fats, 1% minerals and vitamins [5]. Mushrooms contain appreciable amount of 

potassium, phosphorous, copper and iron but low level of calcium [6]. Mushroom protein is intermediate between 

that of animals and vegetables [7]. Mushroom also contain appreciable amount of Niacin, pantothenic acid and biotin 

[8].  

It is also  important   in  biotechnological   researches   which   are  dealing   with  large   scale production  of 

mycelium  (biomass)  to obtain  anti-cancer  and  antimicrobial  substances, volatile  compounds,   biomass  for  

food  industry  and  enzymes  production [9]. Mycelia growth is strongly influenced by in vitro conditions and 

they obtain their nutrients by absorbing soluble inorganic and organic materials from medium which assures the 

maximum and most vigorous germination [10]. It has  also  been  reported  that  healthy  and active  mycelia  

growth  in used  medium  play crucial role for protecting themselves against several stress factors [ 2 ] .  Beside 

media the factors like temperature, pH and light affect to the mycelia growth. 

Mycelium growth depends on several factors such as growing media, different media concentration, pH, 

temperature, nutrient element & some environmental factors. Mycelia stage of mushroom was significantly 

influenced by the carbohydrate source, nitrogen source, temperature, pH and light intensity. Fasola, et al. [11] 

reported that potato dextrose agar (PDA) is the best culture media for mycelia growth of Volvariella speciosa. 

Fasola, et al. [11] also reported that the maximum, optimum and minimum mycelia growth of Volvariella speciosa at 

the pH of 9.0, 6.0 and 3.0, respectively while no growth was observed at pH 2.0 and 10.0. Generally, the growth of 

this fungus reduced at very strong acidic and alkaline pH. Jonathan and Fasidi [12] observed very good mycelia 

growth of Volvariella esculenta at pH 6.0. This study was attempted to investigate the effects of different media, 

pH level, temperature, and different nutrient media composition on vegetative growth of pink oyster 

(Pleurotus djamor) mushroom. 

 

2. Materials and Methods 
The experiment was conducted in the tissue culture laboratory of National Mushroom Development and 

Extension Centre (NAMDEC), sub centre (Strengthening Mushroom Development Project), Horticulture Center, 

Mehedibag, Sylhet, Bangladesh. 

 

2.1. Preparation of Culture Media for Pure Culture 
Potato dextrose agar ( PDA), malt extract agar ( MEA), potato yeast dextrose agar ( PYDA), and yeast extract 

agar (YEA) was prepared as different media for pure culture growth according to standard methods. Media was 

autoclaved at a pressure of 15 pound square inch (psi) for twenty minutes at 121ºc. Calculation was conducted on 

average mycelium growth & duration of complete mycelium growth. 

 

2.2. Sterile Culture Technique 
A healthy, fresh, clean mushroom fruit body was selected for culture. A section of mushroom was broken off. 

Pour the different media into sterile tubes. Using the index finger and thumb of the left hand, a piece of the 

mushroom was firmly grasped with the clean surface facing upward or sideways. With the right hand, the scalpel was 

grasped firmly by the handle. Starting with the tip of the scalpel, a very small triangular shape was cut from the clean 

inner tissue. The tissue was gently "teased" free, and placed it quickly just inside the lip of the tube. Then the bottom 

of the tube was taped for a few times on the heel of hand to position the mushroom tissue on the surface of the agar. 

The tube was then placed in a second storage can.  These steps were repeated for the remaining tubes and mushroom 

materials. It was important to make several tubes from each mushroom specimen, since even with the most careful 

technique contamination can sometimes occur. 

 

2.3. Preparation of Different Synthetic PDA Media 
Different amount of potato & dextrose were used for PDA media. The PDA was prepared by 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g, 

20g, 25g of dextrose & 0g, 50g, 100g, 150g, 200g, 250g potato mixed with20g agar at pH 6.5. The mixture was 

boiled in gas burner until the agar dissolved. The media was poured into petri plate at 20 ml/plates and sterilized and 

solidified. Then the plates were inoculated with testing mushroom species. Then plates were transferred in incubation 

room for mycelium running at 20-25
o
 C temperature. 

 

2.4. Study of the Different Temperature on Mycelial Growth of P. Djamor 
The selected medium was employed to evaluate the suitable temperature for mycelium growth of P. djamor. 

Some composition was adjusted at 6.5 ph value before autoclave  The inoculated plates of P. djamor on PDA (Potato 

Dextrose Agar) were placed at six different temperature values such as 10
0
 C, 15

0
 C, 20

0
 C, 250 C 30

0
Cand 35

0
 C, 

with the pH value of each medium being 6.5. 



Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2015, 2(1): 6-11 

 

 

 

 

8 

 

2.5. Study of the Different Ph on Mycelial Growth of P. Djamor 
The media were adjusted to different pH values at 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5 and 9.0 with the 

addition of 1N HCl or 1N NaOH before pouring into Petri plates and autoclaving. The Petri plates were inoculated 

with the inocula of the mushroom. After autoclaving, the Petri plates were inoculated and transferred into incubation 

room for mycelial growth at 21
0
 to 25

0
 C temperatures. Average mycelia growth and duration of completion of 

mycelium running of each replication were calculated. 

 

3. Results 
3.1. Study of the Different Growth Media on Mycelial Growth of Pleurotus Djamor 

3.1.1. Mycelium Growth per Day 
Four different culture media such as potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar (MEA), yeast extract agar 

(YEA), malt extract yeast agar (MEYA) and potato yeast dextrose agar (PYDA) medium were used to investigate the 

mycelial growth of Pleurotus djamor.  

The highest mycelial growth rate (0.24cm/day) was observed in the potato dextrose agar (PDA) media where 

lowest mycelial growth was found in YEA media (0.11cm/day) (Table 1). The density of mycelium on PDA was 

higher than other culture media. 

 
Table-1. Mycelial growth rate per day by different media 

Media Mycelial growth rate (cm/day) 

Potato dextrose agar 0.24 a 

Malt extract agar medium 0.20 a 

Potato yeast dextrose agar 0.16 ab 

Yeast agar medium 0.11 b 

C.V (%)                                                              9.16 
              Note: Means followed by same letters are not significantly different from each other at 5% level 

 

3.2. Total Time Required for Complete Mycelium Growth 
In case of duration of complete mycelium running, the minimum time (5.25 days) was recorded in PDA medium 

and the maximum time (10.25 days) was found in YEA medium (Figure 1). 
 

 
Figure-1. Days required for mycelium growth in line diagram 

 

The diagram describes that PDA media takes the least amount of time to complete mycelium growth and YEM 

takes the highest amount of time. 

 

3.3. Study of the Different Ph on Mycelial Growth of Pleurotus Djamor 
To determine the suitable pH on PDA media with the pH range of 4.5 to 9.0 were used for mycelial growth of  

Pleurotus djamor. The best mycelia growth (0.45 cm/day) was observed in slightly acidic medium (pH 6.5) which 

was statistically different from other pH values (Table 2).  

 
Table-2. Mycelial Growth Rate (cm/day) at different pH level 

pH Mycelial growth rate (cm/day) 

4.5 0.11 c 

5.0 0.13 c 

5.5 0.15 c 

6.0 0.31 b 

6.5 0.45 a 

7.0 0.31 b 

7.5 0.30 b 

8.0 0.26 b 

8.5 0.15 c 

9.0 0.12 c 

C.V% 4.93 
Note: Means followed by same letters are not significantly different from each other at 5% level 

By interpreting the results we find that means are not significantly different from each other for pH of 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 8.5, 9.0 and 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 

8.0 are not significantly different but 6.5 is significantly different mean than others. 



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3.4. Time Required for Complete Mycelium Growth Depending on Ph 
In case of duration of complete mycelium running, the minimum time (5.0 days) was recorded at pH 6.0 and 6.5 

which was statically similar to pH 6.0 and pH 7.0 and the maximum time (9.25 days) was found at pH 4.5 (Figure 2).  

 

 
Figure-2. Days required for mycelium growth in line diagram at different pH. 

 

 
Figure-3. Mycelium growth at pH 6.5, gives the highest mycelium growth rate 

 

3.5. Study of the Different Temperature on Mycelial Growth of Pleurotus Djamor  
The best mycelial growth (.41 cm/days) was obtained at 25

0
 C which was significantly higher on compare to all 

the treatment. The lowest mycelial growth (0.20 cm/day) was recorded in 30
0
 C. 

10
0 
& 35

0 
has no mycelium growth at all (Table 3). 

 
Table-3. Mycelial growth rate at different temperature 

Temperature (
0
C) Mycelial growth rate (cm/day) 

10 --- 

15 0.28 b 

20 0.26 bc 

25 0.41 a 

30 0.20 c 

35 --- 

C.V% 4.01 
                       Note: Means followed by same letters are not significantly different from each other at 5% level 

 

3.6. Time Required for Complete Mycelium Growth Depending on Tempereture 
In case of duration of complete mycelium running, the minimum time (5.25 days) was recorded at 20

0
C, which 

was statistically similar to 15
0
C. In case of 35

0
 C temperature, the duration of complete mycelium running was more 

than 7.75 days. 

 



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10 

 

Table-4. Days required for complete mycelial growth at different temperature 

Temperature (
0
C) Days required for complete mycelial growth 

10 --- 

15 6.50 a 

20 5.20 a 

25 7.00 a 

30 7.75 a 

35 --- 

C.V% 9.24 
                 Note: Means followed by same letters are not significantly different from each other at 5% level 

 

3.7. Mycelial Growth Rate for Various PDA Media Composition (Cm/Day) 
The result of mycelia growth rate in different ratio of potato & dextrose used in the culture media as well as 

variety is shown below. Highest mycelial growth rate (.33cm/day) was observed from the treatment T4 when 

Pleurotus djmour was inoculated in PDA at ratio of dextrose: potato (g/liter) (15/150) (Table 5). 

 
Table-5. Mycelial growth rate (cm/day) for various PDA media composition 

Treatment Mycelial growth rate  (cm/day) 

T1 --- 

T2 0.28 ab 

T3 0.30 ab 

T4 0.33 a 

T5 0.31 ab 

T6 0.26 a 

C.V% 9.57 
Note: Means followed by same letters are not significantly different from each other at 5% level 

[Here T1= Dextrose (g/liter): Potato(g/liter) (0:0), T2= Dextrose (g/liter): Potato(g/liter) (5:50), T1= Dextrose (g/liter): Potato(g/liter) (10:100), T1= 

Dextrose (g/liter): Potato(g/liter) (15:150), T1= Dextrose (g/liter): Potato(g/liter) (20:200), T1= Dextrose (g/liter): Potato(g/liter) (25:250)] 

 

3.8. Duration of Mycelium Completion for Various PDA Media Composition (Days) 
Duration of mycelia completion in different ratio of potato and dextrose used in culture media is shown in table 

below. Maximum days (14.00 days) required for the completion of mycelium running was observed from T6 when 

P.djmour was inoculated in PDA at ratio of dextrose (g/liter) (25:250) because excess nutrient delay the mycelial 

growth. Minimum days required for completion of mycelim running was observed from the treatment T4 when P. 

djmour was inoculated in PDA at ratio of dextrose (g/liter): Potato (g/liter) (15/150). 

 
Table-6.  Duration of mycelium completion for various PDA media composition 

Treatment Days required to mycelium complete (days) 

T1 --- 

T2 13.75 a 

T3 13.00 ab 

T4 11.50 b 

T5 12.25 ab 

T6 14.00 a 

C.V% 9.83 
          Note: Means followed by same letters are not significantly different from each other at 5% level 

 

4. Discussion 
The growth of mycelium depends on different factors such as media, pH, temperature, nutrient element and some 

environmental factors [13]. Medium is important because it supplies necessary nutrient for the growth of mushroom 

mycelium. Culture media permit acceleration of mycelial growth; ensure quality and year round production [14].  

The highest mycelial growth rate (0.24cm/day) was observed in the potato dextrose agar media which was similar to 

Khan, et al. [15] who reported that malt extract potato extract & wheat extract were the best media for cultivation of 

Auricularia politrica. 

Fasola, et al. [11] reported that pH 6.0 is best for mycelial growth of V. speciosa. Ibekwe, et al. [16] reported that 

the optimum mycelia growth of Pleurotus ostreatus was recorded at pH 6.5 which supports our proposition.   

Likewise, Chandra and Purkayastha [17] and Jonathan and Fasidi [12] obtained very good growths of Agaricus 

campestris and V. esculenta at pH 6.0. This result is not similar with the findings of Chang and Miles [10] who 

reported 7.5 as the best pH level for mycelial growth of V. volvacea. The lowest mycelial growth (.11 cm/day) was 

recorded at pH 4.5.  

Mushroom mycelium is significantly influenced by various environmental factors such as light, temperature, pH, 

carbon sources etc. pH has great effects on nutrition and morphological development of mushrooms. Generally the 

growth of fungi is reduced at very strong acidic and alkaline pH. Different agar media such as Potato Dextrose Agar, 

Malt Extract agar, Lamberts Agar, Compost Extract Agar are mostly used for the growth of mycelium [18].  

The effect of mycelial growth rate in four different culture media were shown in the results. Significantly the 

highest mycelium growth (0.24cm/day) of pleurotus djamor was observed in Potato Dextrose Agar media which is 

statistically similar (0.20cm/day) to Malt Extract Yeast Agar media and the lowest mycelium growth rate (0.11 

cm/day) was found in Yeast Extract medium. This result is similar to Kalm and Kalyoncu [9]. The highest mycelium 

growth of Pleurotus geesternaus was observed in Potato Dextrose Agar media (0.41 cm/day) and this medium has 

been demonstrated to be highly supportive of mycelial growth of mushrooms by several authors such as Jeffers and 

Martin [19]. The lowest mycelium growth rate (0.29 cm/day) was found in Yeast Extract Agar media. 



Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2015, 2(1): 6-11 

 

 

 

 

11 

 

The days required to the completion of mycelium running in different media is shown in the results. The lowest 

time (5.25 days) required for the completion of mycelium running of Pleurotus djamor was observed in Potato 

Dextrose. Agar which was statically similar to Malt extract agar medium (6.75days) and highest time (10.25 days) 

was observed in Yeast Extract Agar media. Kalm and Kalyoncu [9] reported  that  MEA  and  PDA  are  more  

suitable  media  for  mycelial  growth  of Morchella spp.  

For Pleurotus djamor the temperature range of 10-35
0
C was considered to find out the most suitable one. The 

highest mycelial growth (0.41 cm/day) was found in 25
0
C in the case of Pleurotus djamor .This result is supported 

by Sung, et al. [20]; they stated that the favorable temperature for mycelial growth was 30
0
C for Macrolepiota 

procea and Pleurotus ostreatus. This result is similar to the report of Shim, et al. [21]; they stated that the mycelial 

growth of P. fumosoroseus was favorable at the temperature of 20 to 25
0
C. For pleurotus djamor, 10

0
C & 35

0
C was 

found to be not suitable for mycelial growth. 

The test was conducted also to determine the best ratio in PDA media for mycelia growth for Pleurotus djmour. 

Highest mycelial growth rate (.33cm/day) was observed from the treatment T4 when pleurotus djmour was 

inoculated in PDA at ratio of dextrose: potato (g/liter) (15/150) which was statistically similar to T5. Similar findings 

were reported by Khandaker, et al. [22], who reported that PDA media gave highest (0.33cm/day) mycelial growth of 

Grifola frondosa. 

 

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