Iron biofortification of Pleurotus eous via substrate supplementation

Iron biofortification enhances the nutritional quality of edible mushrooms by increasing their mineral and bioactive content. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of FeSO₄·7 H₂O supplementation (15MmM, 30 mM, 45 mM, and 60 mM) on Pleurotus eous growth, yield, mineral content, and ergothionine. Mycelial growth was suppressed at 60 mM, decreasing yield, while 45 mM recorded the maximum biological efficiency without affecting physical characteristics. Iron deposition was greatest at 60 mM (117.81 ppm), whereas 45 mM recorded an iron deposition of 89.42 ppm with the greatest moisture content (81.98%) and least fat content. The results showed that while calcium and boron levels have decreased, a few minerals, including sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and copper, have increased significantly (p p P. eous with 45 mM FeSO₄·7 H₂O promotes its production and nutritional quality without having any adverse effects.