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Microbial Biomass in Compost During Colonization of Agaricus Bisporus

Summary

This research investigated how button mushroom growth affects other microorganisms in compost. The study revealed that mushrooms significantly impact bacterial populations in their growing environment, potentially using them as a food source. This has important implications for mushroom cultivation and our understanding of microbial interactions in composting systems. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps improve commercial mushroom production methods • Advances our understanding of sustainable composting practices • Provides insights into natural microbial relationships in soil and compost • Could lead to more efficient organic waste recycling methods • May help develop better growing substrates for mushroom cultivation

Background

Compost is used for commercial production of Agaricus bisporus (button mushrooms). The compost goes through multiple phases of preparation involving microbial activity and temperature changes. While wheat straw represents the major carbon source, microbes may also be an important part of A. bisporus’ diet. However, the dynamics of microbial biomass in compost during mushroom cultivation has not been well monitored.

Objective

To determine and quantify fungal and bacterial biomass changes in compost over time in both the presence and absence of A. bisporus using chitin content, laccase activity, and phospholipid-derived fatty acid (PLFA) analysis methods.

Results

Chitin content increased from 576 to 779 nmol N-acetylglucosamine per gram of compost in controls, with similar increases in A. bisporus-colonized samples. The fungal PLFA marker C18:2ω6 decreased from 575 to 280 nmol/g in controls but increased to 1200 nmol/g with A. bisporus present. Bacterial markers remained constant at 3000-3200 nmol PLFA/g in controls but decreased to 850 nmol/g during A. bisporus growth, indicating bacterial biomass reduction from 17.7 to 4.7 mg/g compost.

Conclusion

The study found that fungal biomass can comprise up to 6.8% of compost after A. bisporus colonization, with approximately 57% being dead biomass. A. bisporus significantly impacts both the biomass and composition of bacteria in compost, with evidence suggesting it may feed primarily on bacterial biomass. Gram-negative bacteria appear more suppressed than Gram-positive bacteria during A. bisporus colonization.
  • Published in:AMB Express,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s13568-016-0304-y
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