Application of Fungus Enzymes in Spent Mushroom Composts from Edible Mushroom Cultivation for Phthalate Removal

Author: mycolabadmin
2021-09-19
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Summary

This research demonstrates an innovative way to turn mushroom farming waste into a useful tool for cleaning up water pollution. The study found that spent mushroom compost (SMC) – the leftover growing material from mushroom farms – can effectively remove harmful plastic-related chemicals called phthalates from water. This creates a win-win solution by dealing with two environmental problems at once: managing agricultural waste and treating contaminated water. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides a sustainable way to recycle mushroom farming waste • Offers a green method for cleaning up water pollution • Could help reduce exposure to harmful phthalate chemicals in water • Demonstrates how agricultural waste can be transformed into valuable resources • Could lead to more cost-effective water treatment solutions

Background

Spent mushroom composts (SMCs) are waste products from mushroom cultivation, with at least 5 kg produced for every 1 kg of mushrooms. Their disposal has become an environmental concern. Meanwhile, phthalates are widely used plasticizers that contaminate the environment and cannot be effectively removed by conventional wastewater treatment. Finding sustainable ways to both manage SMC waste and remove phthalate pollutants is an important environmental challenge.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of spent mushroom composts (SMCs) from four edible mushroom species for removing phthalate pollutants from water. The study aimed to identify useful SMCs for phthalate removal, analyze the fungal enzymes involved in degradation, and test direct application of SMCs in bioreactor experiments simulating wastewater treatment.

Results

The SMC enzyme extracts successfully degraded three phthalates (BBP, DBP, and DEP), with P. djamor showing the highest degradation rates. Mass spectrometry identified multiple enzymes potentially involved in phthalate degradation, including esterases, oxidases, and dehydrogenases. Bioreactor experiments demonstrated that direct application of SMCs could remove phthalates through both adsorption and biodegradation, even in wastewater conditions.

Conclusion

SMCs can be effectively repurposed from waste material into a useful resource for removing phthalate pollutants from wastewater. The process works through both adsorption and biodegradation mechanisms. Even SMCs with low laccase levels can be used for removing organic pollutants, providing a sustainable, mycoremediation-based solution for both waste management and water treatment.

Published in:Microorganisms,
Study Type:Laboratory Research,
Source: 10.3390/microorganisms9091989