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The application of laccase-rich extract of spent mushroom substrates for removing lignin from jute fabric waste: a dual management approach

Summary

This research shows how leftover mushroom growing material (SMS) can be recycled into a useful enzyme called laccase to make jute fabric softer and lighter by removing tough lignin components. Instead of using harsh chemicals, the scientists used mild conditions and natural enzymes to process jute waste sustainably. From just one bag of mushroom waste, they could treat an area of fabric equivalent to 2000 square meters, making this an economically attractive solution for both mushroom and textile waste management.

Background

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) represents significant waste from mushroom cultivation, with over 3 billion kg discarded annually in Europe. SMS is rich in lignocellulolytic enzymes including laccase, which can be extracted and applied to sustainable processing of natural fibers. Jute fabric, while eco-friendly, requires energy-intensive chemical processing for delignification and often ends up as waste at end-of-life.

Objective

This study explored dual sustainable waste management by extracting laccase from SMS of four mushroom species to delignify jute fabric waste. The research aimed to optimize laccase extraction using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and assess the enzyme’s effectiveness in lignin removal under mild conditions.

Results

RSM optimization achieved a 1.47-fold increase in laccase activity, with Pleurotus ostreatus SMS (P-SMS) showing the highest specific activity (4716.33 mU/mg). Optimal extraction conditions were 206.4 min, pH 7.5, and 7.76°C. Laccase treatment removed 61.1% of lignin from jute fabric, resulting in softer, lighter-colored fiber with improved wetting properties. ATR-FTIR confirmed lignin reduction and increased cellulose exposure.

Conclusion

The study successfully demonstrated a synergistic waste management approach combining SMS and jute fabric waste. SMS-derived laccase effectively delignified jute under mild, environmentally friendly conditions without chemical additives. The results suggest significant potential for scaling this process, as one 2 kg SMS bag could treat approximately 2000 m² of jute fabric, offering an economically and ecologically sound circular economy solution.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-025-96177-2, PMID: 40221565
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