A short presentation related to horticulture about Portobella Mushroom.

1.  Agaris bisporus

2.  One of the most imposing mushrooms in
size.
 It has a rounded, earthen tan flat cap with
near black gills on its underside.
 Stem is thick, white and edible.
 Very memorable, rich and meaty texture and
flavor, which it retains even after cooking.

3.  Natural source of vitamin D. The amount of
vitamin D they contain depends on the
amount of exposure to ultraviolet light.
 Portobella mushrooms are a rich source of
copper and selenium.
 Up to 28% of an individual’s recommended
dietary allowance can be obtained from
Portobella mushrooms.
 The fully mature Agaricus bisporus is also a
good source of vitamin B6 and niacin.

4.  They have a "meaty" texture and can be
substituted for other proteins.
 Use in soups and stews, baked pasta or rice
dishes, as a beef substitute or in salads. Pair
with fresh herbs, fresh cow's milk cheeses,
tomato or cream-based sauces, leafy greens,
garlic and onions.
 Mushroom caps should be kept dry and
refrigerated until ready to use; they will keep
for up to a week.

5. Researchers from the University of
California, Riverside have created a battery
incorporating the skins of portabella
mushrooms.
The move not only has the potential to
reduce the economic and environmental cost
of battery production, but may also result in
batteries whose capacity increases over time.

6. Batteries consist of three main elements:
a negative terminal (cathode),
a positive terminal (anode) and
a solid or liquid separating them
(electrolyte).
Synthetic graphite is commonly used for the anode
in lithium-ion batteries, but this material
requires the use of chemicals such as
hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids for purification
and preparation. These processes are not only
expensive, but also produce hazardous waste
that is harmful to the environment.

7.  Portabella mushrooms as a more natural
substitute for graphite for two reasons.
 Firstly mushrooms were highly porous, which is a
desirable attribute when it comes to batteries as
the tiny holes allow extra room for both the
storage and transfer of energy, which improves
performance.
 Secondly, they contain high amounts of
potassium salt, which causes more of these pores
to be activated over time, something that would
increase the level of electrolyte-active material as
it is used, and in effect boost the battery's
capacity.

9. The research was published in the journal
Nature Scientific Reports.
Source: University of California,Riverside