Saprophytic nutrition, also known as lysotrophic nutrition, is a process of chemoheterotrophic extracellular digestion involved in the processing of decayed organic matter. This type of nutrition is used by saprotrophs, which are organisms that obtain their nutrients by absorbing them directly from dead and decaying organic matter of plants and animals. The process of saprophytic nutrition involves the release of digestive enzymes by saprotrophs and saprobes in their surrounding medium to convert complex organic molecules into simpler constituents. The simpler food is then absorbed through the body surface and utilized for various metabolic activities in the saprophyte.

Some key features of saprophytic nutrition include:

• Sources of nutrients: Saprotrophs require combined protein for the creation of proteins, which is facilitated by the absorption of amino acids, and usually taken from rich soil. Although both ions and vitamins are rare, thiamine or ions such as potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium aid the growth of the mycelium.
• Examples of saprotrophs: Examples of saprotrophs include fungi, bread mold, some protists, and many bacteria. Yeast, fungi, and several bacteria are examples of saprophytic organisms.

In summary, saprophytic nutrition is a process of extracellular digestion used by saprotrophs to obtain nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter. This process involves the release of digestive enzymes to convert complex organic molecules into simpler constituents, which are then absorbed through the body surface and utilized for various metabolic activities in the saprophyte.