African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (12), pp. 1401-1403, December 2005 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals Short Communication Cultivation of mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) on banana leaves Belewu, M. A.* and Belewu, K.Y. Microbial Biotechnology and Dairy Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Accepted 9 September, 2005 Following the solid state fermentation of banana leaves (Musa sapientum lina) by lignin degrading mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), yield of fruiting bodies and compositional changes of the substrate were evaluated using a student parametric “T” test model. The biological efficiency was 5.21 while the total weight of fruit yield was 2.5 kg. The percentage biomass loss was 18.20%. The banana leaves treated with V. volvacea exhibited losses primarily in the polysaccharide components and with a greater percentage of the fibre components being degraded. The crude protein content was enhanced by the incubation of the mushroom due probably to the addition of microbial protein. The acid detergent lignin (ADL) was significantly reduced in the fungus treated sample. The acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) followed similar trend but, the cellulose and hemicellulose increased. The development of this simple technology is expected to improve the yield of mushroom as well as provide sustainable feed (spent substrate) for ruminant animals. Key words: Banana leaves, Volvariella volvacea, chemical composition, ruminant animals. INTRODUCTION Mushroom which is a fleshy saprophyte fungus are found growing on damp rotten log of wood trunk of trees, decaying organic matter and in damp soil rich in organic substances. Edible mushroom are highly nutritious and can be compared with eggs, milk and meat (Oei, 2003). The content of essential amino acids in mushroom is high and close to the need of the human body. Mushroom is easily digestible and it has no cholesterol content. However, the cultivation of mushroom is still very limited and the industry is still at its infancy in Nigeria (Isikhuemhen and Okhuoye, 1996; Belewu, 2002, 2003). The major problem associated with the transfer of technology for mushroom cultivation is the lack of technical know-how for its cultivation. During an investigation of the cultivation of mushroom on agricultural residues, it was found that rice husk sorghum *Corresponding Author. E-mail: milkyinka@yahoo.com, Tel: 2348035817941, 2348043348738. stover, saw dust, cotton waste, cocoa bean shell, and sawdust – Gliricidia mixture are suitable substrates for the cultivation of edible mushroom (Belewu, 2001; Belewu and Ademilola 2002; Belewu, 2002; Belewu , 2003; Belewu and Lawal, 2003). While, rice straw, water lilly and banana leaves are equally implicated (Oei, 2003). The chemical composition of banana leaves is well documented in literature (Sompson et al., 2004). The thrust of the study herein reported was to evolve a method for the cultivation of the muchroom, Volvariella volvacea, using banana leaves and determine their effect on the chemical composition of the spent substrate (banana leaves). MATERIALS AND METHODS Collection of banana leaves and inoculation Banana leaves still hanging on the trees used for the experiment were collected around the University of Ilorin permanent site campus. The leaves were cut into uniform length preferably as wide