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

Summary

This research shows that leftover mushroom growing material (spent compost) can be used to clean phthalates from wastewater. Phthalates are harmful chemicals found in plastics that can damage human health. Scientists tested four types of mushroom composts and found they all worked, with the best results removing 99% of certain phthalates. This provides an affordable, eco-friendly way to treat polluted water.

Background

Spent mushroom composts (SMCs) are waste products from edible mushroom cultivation with limited disposal options. Phthalates are widely distributed environmental pollutants that cannot be effectively removed by conventional wastewater treatment. This study explores using fungal enzymes from SMCs to degrade phthalates.

Objective

To evaluate the ability of SMCs from four edible mushroom species to remove phthalates including benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) through enzymatic degradation and adsorption.

Results

SMC enzyme extracts from all four mushroom species successfully degraded BBP, DBP, and DEP, with P. djamor showing highest efficiency. Metaproteomic analysis identified esterases, oxygenases, and oxidases/dehydrogenases as key degradation enzymes. Bioreactor experiments demonstrated effective phthalate removal through both adsorption and biodegradation.

Conclusion

SMCs can be directly applied for phthalate removal from wastewater through a combination of adsorption and enzymatic biodegradation. The study extends mycoremediation applications to white-rot fungi with low laccase levels, such as Auricularia species, providing a sustainable green technology for treating phthalate contamination.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 34576885, DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091989
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