The worldwide market of medicinal mushrooms is constantly increasing considering the improvement of the level of life of population and the concerns for a healthy quality of life. The consumption of Macromycetes fungi as delicatessen food or nutraceuticals is increasing due to their gourmet features, nutritional characteristics and medicinal properties. The fruiting bodies of several fungal species contain different types of compounds that are valuable in the medical and cosmetic industry and have applications in other industrial sectors. However, the cultivation of Macromycetes is not fully disseminated at world level and just a few species are grown on a commercial scale (about 10 species). In particular, the demand of the Macromycetes Grifola frondosa (Maitake) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) in their different trade presentations is increasing because of their medicinal features and their applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, research and development regarding the improvement of the cultivation parameters for these two fungal species have a paramount importance in order to reach a higher coverage in their industrialization. G. frondosa is a less-known and newer species in the mushroom industry. Its cultivation presents different levels of complexity and there are a few commercial facilities for its production. Likewise, G. lucidum, although more known than Maitake, exhibits significant complexity levels during its cultivation as well. In the present book, a comprehensive compilation of the developments achieved for improving the cultivation parameters of these two species in tropical weathers aimed at implementing them at industrial scale is provided. The book presents extensive research outcomes obtained by the authors not only at small scale, but also at pilot and industrial scales. The main markets for these two species are presented as well as the most promising residual feedstocks to be used for production of Reishi and Maitake fruiting bodies in the context of countries with tropical weather. The conventional procedures for solid-state cultivation at different production scales is analyzed and specific conditions for such production in tropical weathers are also discussed. In addition, a description of the potential biologically active compounds that could be extracted from these two fungal species is provided as well as main lignocellulylitic enzymes obtained from these mushrooms. This book is intended to researchers, graduate students, technologists, and entrepreneurs as well as private firms working in the medicinal mushroom industry.
