Pleurotus sajor-caju is one of the most successful mushrooms, cultured mainly for its delicious taste and medicinal value (1). This mushroom belongs to the Agaricaceae family of Basidiomycetes class mostly confused with Oyster mushrooms. It is saprophytic in nature and grows mainly on organic matters like fallen leaves, animal dropping, and stumps of dead wood (2). The common name of this mushroom is a grey oyster mushroom or houbitake.

Pleurotus sajor-caju is used for medicinal purposes since ancient times as it contains a high potassium-to-sodium ratio thus making this mushroom ideal for that who are having hypertension and heart disease. Not only this Pleurotus sojar-caju is also rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins (3). Commercial cultivation of this mushroom is mainly done on agricultural waste as it provides high-value products with nutritional and medicinal properties (4).

The mushroom Pleurotus sojar-caju is rich in minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, zinc copper, and magnesium (5).

It also contains good quality proteins and vitamins such as B₁, B₂, and C and has very little lipid or starch. This mushroom is claimed to be able to reduce the cholesterol level in the blood (10) and prevent hyperlipidemia and this ability is attributed to its low fat and high soluble fiber content.

the water-soluble glucan obtained from the fruiting body of the mushrooms helps in lowering the cholesterol level thus maintaining the lipid level of the body also (9).

The aqueous extract of P. sajor-caju was able to act as a reducing agent as functional as the commercial antioxidant agent. Studies on animal models show its potential antioxidant capacity (8).

The beta-glucan present in this mushroom has been shown to be effective in reducing body weight. This polysaccharide promotes satiety and reduces the absorption of dietary fat, thereby aiding in weight loss efforts (7).

Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom is used to prevent diabetes due to its low-fat and high-fiber content. Animal experiments show it positively affects diabetes and inflammation. P. sajor-caju’s glucan-rich polysaccharide reduces inflammation in mice (6).

The mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju shows potential antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the yeast Candida albicans (11).

Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom contains proteins and polysaccharides that inhibit cancer cell growth. These anti-tumor properties make it a beneficial food for those looking to prevent cancer (12).

Enzymes derived from Pleurotus sajor-caju mushrooms have been found to be effective in breaking down Bisphenol A (BPA). It is a chemical widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics.

By breaking down BPA, these enzymes could help in the cleanup of the environment from this potentially harmful chemical.

The discovery of this natural solution could pave the way for more sustainable approaches to managing plastic waste (13).

Bisphenol A is harmful and produced worldwide. It can be removed from the environment chemically or biologically. Biological methods are safer and cheaper (14).

Bisphenol A is in shatterproof windows, eyewear, canned foods, and polycarbonate items like water bottles. It can leach into food and liquids and even breast milk. The temperature may affect leaching more than the container’s age (13). Hence this mushroom is good for reducing the effect of BPA not only on the body but also on the environment.