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Conversion of Soluble Compounds in Distillery Wastewater into Fungal Biomass and Metabolites Using Australian Ganoderma Isolates

Summary

Researchers discovered that Ganoderma mushroom mycelium can clean up rum distillery wastewater while producing edible, protein-rich fungal biomass. The mycelium successfully removed harmful compounds from the wastewater and accumulated bioactive compounds with health benefits. This dual-benefit approach transforms an environmental waste problem into a valuable food ingredient, offering a sustainable and economical solution for the distillery industry.

Background

Stillage is an acidic, high-carbon residue from ethanol production that presents a significant global environmental challenge. The distillery industry generates substantial wastewater volumes, with each liter of ethanol producing approximately 12 liters of stillage. White-rot fungi like Ganoderma have potential for bioremediation while simultaneously producing valuable fungal biomass.

Objective

This study evaluated Australian Ganoderma isolates for their capacity to treat rum stillage while producing edible biomass and bioactive metabolites. The research aimed to benchmark metabolite and biomass production in stillage against a nutrient medium control.

Results

Ganoderma isolates removed up to 73% soluble organic carbon, 77% soluble nitrogen, and 74% phenolic compounds. Maximum biomass yield in stillage was 8.2 g·L⁻¹ with 52.8% crude protein, 22.1 mg·g⁻¹ extractable protein, and antioxidant activity of 17.2 mg TE·g⁻¹ (ABTS) and 16.6 µmol Fe²⁺·g⁻¹ (FRAP). Isolates G2 and G3 produced more biomass in stillage than in nutrient medium.

Conclusion

Australian Ganoderma isolates successfully valorize rum distillery wastewater while producing high-quality fungal biomass containing bioactive compounds. The production of edible mycelium with bioactive metabolites demonstrates viable integration of bioremediation and biomass recovery, offering economic and environmental benefits for sustainable waste management.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMC12194575, PMID: 40558944, doi: 10.3390/jof11060432
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