Background:

Pleurotus djamor is a pantropical fungus, cultivated commercially in some Asian countries. Due to its growth characteristics, short crop cycles and acceptable nutritional value, it is a mushroom suitable for its propagation and consumption in the warm regions of the world.

Objective:

The purpose of this contribution was to review the advances in the biology and culture of this species, with the purpose of increasing its use in the Neotropic.

Method:

A bibliographic review of the subject was made, selecting relevant information on biological and biotechnological aspects of this species.

Results and conclusions:

This contribution summarize the nutrimental and functional characteristics of the species, as well as its biosynthetic and degradative capacity in various biotechnological processes, such as food production, biotransformation of organic residues by the action of ligninocellulolytic enzymes and their application in bioremediation processes of soils and water, among others. P. djamor has been used successfully in different biotechnological processes and represents an alternative species for the Neotropics, due to the environmental conditions and availability of lignocellulosic materials existing. The production and consumption of this mushroom could improve the nutrimental, environmental and economic conditions of the human population from this region.