High protein and carbohydrate amounts in mycelium of P. brumalis BRFM 985. Suitability of Py-GC–MS to study S/G ratio. Fungal biomass amount on WRF pretreated straws estimated by Py-GC–MS. Pretreatment efficiency linked to polysaccharides/lignin ratio determined by Py-GC–MS. Py-GC–MS polysaccharides/lignin ratio may allow efficient strain selection.