Evaluation of mushroom stems as an alternative protein source in rabbit feeding

This study aimed to investigate the usability of cultivated mushroom stems as a protein source in rabbit feed as an alternative to protein sources used in feeds. Mushroom stems were collected from farms that cultivated mushroom and then subjected to a series of processes to extract protein from dry or wet mushroom stems. Mushroom stems were used in protein extraction by going through different stages in two applications. In the first application, after the mushroom stems were dried; They were subjected to processes such as sieving, washing, drying, grinding, diluting with tenfold water, homogenization, filtration, adjusting the pH of the filtered water, boiling, filtration again and drying the obtained product. In the second application, the mushroom stems were subjected to similar processes such as sieving, washing, grinding, diluting threefold, homogenization, filtration, adjusting the pH of the filtered water and boiling, filtration again and drying the obtained product to be used for protein extraction process as wet. It was observed that when the mushroom stems were processed and the protein was extracted, it was a quality product that could be used in rabbit nutrition. In this way, it has been concluded that additives containing high purity protein obtained from products defined as waste and cannot be evaluated will contribute to the economy and can be evaluated as an alternative product in meeting the protein needs in both human nutrition and animal nutrition. In addition, since the mushroom stems left as waste in the environment at the end of mushroom production are processed and the waste material is recycled, it will also prevent damage to the environment.