Solid-state fermentation of oyster mushroom by-products using Neurospora crassa: a sustainable approach for the development of novel meat analogues

Mushroom production generates large amounts of by-products, particularly stipes, which can represent up to half of the fruiting body biomass. Due to their similar composition to mushroom caps, these residues represent a promising substrate for the development of value-added foods. In this study, oyster mushroom stipes were used as a substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) with a Neurospora crassa strain isolated in Albacete to produce a novel meat analogue inspired by the oncom. Fermentation generated a cohesive matrix bound by hyphae that adopted the shape of the mold and exhibited a meat-like color, although with a softer texture. Nutritional analysis revealed a product with relatively low protein content but a complete amino acid profile, enriched in dietary fiber and containing unsaturated fatty acids. These results demonstrate that SSF with N. crassa provides a strategy to upcycle oyster mushroom by-products into fiber-rich meat analogues with potential applications in sustainable food systems.