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Hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase mycoremediation to increase inorganic nitrogen availability

Summary

This research shows that a common mushroom fungus called Trametes versicolor can clean up wastewater produced during the conversion of food waste into biofuel. The fungus transforms hard-to-use nitrogen compounds in the waste into forms that plants can absorb. After three days of treatment, the nitrogen that plants can use increased dramatically. When bacteria known for converting ammonia to nitrate were added to the fungal treatment, the results improved even more, suggesting this waste could eventually be recycled as a fertilizer for growing plants in water-based farming systems.

Background

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of biomass produces biocrude oil but generates a complex aqueous phase byproduct (HTL-AP) containing high concentrations of organic compounds and heavy metals. HTL-AP has potential for reuse in hydroponic systems as it is pathogen-free and nutrient-rich, but most nitrogen exists in organic form rather than the inorganic forms (NH4+ and NO3-) that plants require.

Objective

This study investigated the use of the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor for mycoremediation of HTL-AP to increase inorganic nitrogen availability, specifically NH3/NH4+ and NO3-, for potential use in hydroponic crop production systems.

Results

After three days of fungal treatment, NO3–N increased 17-fold (1.84 to 30.67 mg/L) and NH3/NH4+-N increased 8-fold (4.04 to 32.20 mg/L). Laccase activity increased throughout cultivation despite minimal fungal biomass growth. Addition of nitrifying bacteria to fungal-treated HTL-AP resulted in a twofold increase in NO3–N concentration compared to fungal treatment alone.

Conclusion

Trametes versicolor shows promise as a mycoremediation agent for increasing inorganic nitrogen in HTL-AP, with three days identified as optimal treatment time. Combined fungal and bacterial treatment enhanced NO3- production, suggesting potential for valorizing HTL-AP as a fertilizer source for hydroponic systems, though further studies on toxicity and crop production are needed.
  • Published in:Heliyon,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 38882322, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31992
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