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Mycelium-Doped Straw Biochars for Antibiotic Control

Summary

Researchers developed a new type of biochar by incorporating fungal mycelium into corn straw to create highly effective water purification material. This mycelium-enhanced biochar can remove antibiotics from water more effectively than conventional biochar and maintains its performance even after being reused multiple times. The approach transforms agricultural waste into a valuable environmental solution while offering a practical, low-cost method for water treatment applications.

Background

Straw is a major agricultural residue with significant potential as a biomass resource. China produces approximately 900 million tons of straw annually, with corn straw representing nearly one-third of total output. Converting straw into biochar offers an efficient approach to enhance its value and address environmental pollution issues.

Objective

This study aimed to develop mycelium-doped straw biochars with enhanced adsorption properties for antibiotic removal from water. The research investigated whether incorporating fungal mycelium into chemically pretreated corn straw could further improve biochar performance beyond conventional preparation methods.

Results

Mycelium-doped straw biochars demonstrated 7-15% higher specific surface area and 9-18% greater total pore volume compared to conventional corn straw biochar. In water-based antibiotic removal experiments with tetracycline hydrochloride and chloramphenicol, the mycelium-modified biochars significantly outperformed standard biochar. After five regeneration cycles, the removal rate remained above 80%, demonstrating excellent stability and reusability.

Conclusion

Fungal mycelium doping successfully enhanced the physicochemical properties and adsorption performance of straw-based biochar. This novel modification approach provides a practical, cost-effective strategy for developing high-performance biochar adsorbents for water treatment while offering a sustainable method for comprehensive straw utilization.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms252111387, PMID: 39518942
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