The doctoral dissertation in the field of Forestry will be examined at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu campus.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
The study focuses on the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum, a specialty mushroom known for its bioactive properties, using wood by-products from wood processing industries in Finland. The research investigates Finnish strains of Ganoderma lucidum found in local forests, examining their genetic diversity, growth conditions, and β-glucan content, a key bioactive compound.
By utilizing locally available wood residues, such as sawdust and wood chips from poplar and birch, G. lucidum was successfully cultivated showing promise for sustainable, high-quality mushroom production. The findings also revealed that hardwood substrates significantly boosted fruiting body yield and β-glucan content. This approach could lead to a sustainable mushroom production while providing valuable insights for the bioeconomic use of forestry residues.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
The key findings of this research highlight the successful cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum using Finnish wood by-products as substrates. Substrates based on poplar and birch wood significantly enhanced the growth and production of Finnish strains of Ganoderma lucidum, as well as their β-glucan content.
Additionally, while Pinus sylvestris wood was not ideal for mushroom production, it showed potential for biotechnological applications as G. lucidum fermentation helped reduce the lignin content. Therefore, fermentation with G. lucidum could serve as a pretreatment for pulping industries.
Another important observation was the phenotypic variability of Finnish G. lucidum strains, which varied in growth, morphology, and ability to produce β-glucan. However, phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all Finnish isolates represent a single species, although further data is needed for a clearer classification.
For the public, this research opens opportunities for local mushroom production and could contribute to more sustainable agricultural and forestry practices. For the scientific community, these findings provide insights in the phenotypic variation and taxonomy of laccate Ganoderma species in Finland. In other words, one of the most economically important specialty mushroom species was studied for first time in Finland in a form of a doctoral dissertation.
How can the results of your doctoral research be utilised in practice?
The research findings offer several practical applications that could be utilized across different sectors. By using locally available wood by-products as substrates for cultivating Ganoderma lucidum, this research presents a sustainable solution for mushroom farming. These findings could help establish local mushroom production operations, reducing the need for imported substrates and promoting circular economy practices in forestry and agriculture. This research offers a way to valorize waste materials, turning them into valuable resources. This could be particularly valuable in regions with abundant forestry residues, providing new economic opportunities in rural areas.
The ability of G. lucidum to reduce lignin content in pine wood suggests its use in pulping industries as a biological pretreatment. This could lead to more cost-effective methods for processing wood into pulp. The β-glucan content found in G. lucidum is a key bioactive compound with potential health benefits. The successful cultivation of G. lucidum with high β-glucan content could drive the development of locally produced functional mushrooms for supplements and functional foods, creating new market opportunities. In summary, the findings could be applied in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and local economic development, offering a wide range of benefits to various industries.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
The study explored different wood substrates (particularly wood by-products from Finnish industries) to identify those most suitable for the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum. The research tested how different tree species used as substrates influenced the mycelial growth, fruiting body development, and the β-glucan content.
The study also examined the phenotypic variation among different Finnish strains of Ganoderma lucidum. The strain performance and variability of Finnish Ganoderma lucidum was explored. To clarify the taxonomy of the laccate Ganoderma species naturally occurring in Finnish forests, the study involved molecular analysis of fungal strains, using phylogenetic techniques to determine whether the Finnish strains correspond with Ganoderma lucidum. This helped to better understand the species-specific characteristics of the local Ganoderma population.
In summary, the key methods involved cultivation experiments, biochemical analysis specifically measuring β-glucan content, and genetic sequencing to assess the suitability of Finnish wood by-products for mushroom cultivation, optimize growth conditions, and confirm the species identity of Finnish Ganoderma strains.
The doctoral dissertation of Marta Cortina-Escribano, MSc, entitled Selective breeding and taxonomy of laccate Ganoderma species originating from Finland will be examined at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu Campus. The opponent will be Professor Yoshihiko Amano, Shinshu University and the custos will be Professor Antti Haapala, University of Eastern Finland. Language of the public defence is English.
For more information, please contact:
Marta Cortina-Escribano, marta.cortina.escribano@luke.fi
