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Agro residues have effectively been utilized as a substrate in mushroom cultivation. The substrates used in cultivating edible mushroom requires varying degree of pre-treatments in order to promote the growth of mushroom mycelium by excluding other competitor microorganisms. Sterilization using hot water, steam or chemical methods is done to disinfect the substrate. However, sterilization is not an ideal disinfection method as it kills both beneficial and harmful organisms in the substrate. Pasteurisation of the substrate seems to be the better alternative which permits re-growth of beneficial organisms during the cooling period. This paper presents an outline on the utilisation of agro residues as substrate in mushroom cultivation. Various methods of chemical, non-chemical sterilization and pasteurisation of substrate have been discussed. It also highlights that more focus is needed to promote mushroom growers to adopt the pasteurization technique than sterilization by developing simple and low cost pasteurization equipments for rural and small scale mushrooms growers.

Mulberry (Morus) belongs to the Moraceae plant family, native of China. The leaves of mulberry plant are the major food source for the silkworm. The leaf consists of minerals, vitamins, dietary fibre, amino acids, phytosterols, flavonoids and other functional components, mainly 1-DNJ (1-Deoxynojirimycin) which acts as an anti-diabetic drug. In countries like China, Korea and Japan the preparations from mulberry leaves are used as medicine for increasing the immunity of the human body, cough relief and to lower the blood sugar and blood pressure. The high nutritional value of leaves is used as a functional food, mostly in the form of herbal tea, smoothie, yoghurt, salads, nutritional masala biscuits, capsules, dry powder, oil, dietary supplement etc. This manuscript mainly focuses on the nutritional importance and health benefits of mulberry leaves extract. The leaves extract may help to lower blood sugar (diabetes), inflammation levels, cholesterol and fighting against heart disease.

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