2.5. Solid state fermentation (SSF)
Raw, untreated, SMC was obtained after harvesting of A. bisporus, from a local mushroom farm and used as substrate for SSF without prior treatment. SSF was carried out in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask covered with microbiological cotton wool caps. Each Erlenmeyer flask contained 50 g of substrate moistened with distilled water to achieve relative humidity of 60% (calculated),autoclaved and aseptically inoculated. Spore suspensionwas spread on substrate in a 1:15 ratio (w/V). SSF was carried out in duplicates at 28 C for 7 days.