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Study on Microbial Community Succession and Functional Analysis During Biodegradation of Mushroom Residue

Summary

This research investigated how microorganisms break down leftover mushroom growing materials into useful organic fertilizer. The scientists tracked changes in bacterial and fungal communities during composting and identified the proteins involved in breaking down plant materials. This has important real-world applications: • Helps reduce agricultural waste by converting mushroom cultivation leftovers into valuable fertilizer • Improves our understanding of sustainable farming practices and organic waste management • Provides insights for optimizing composting processes for better fertilizer production • Contributes to environmentally-friendly farming methods • Demonstrates how agricultural waste can be transformed into useful resources

Background

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of edible fungi, producing over 37.12 million tons in 2018, accounting for more than 70% of global production. Mushroom residue, consisting of mycelium and cultivation material left after harvesting, contains abundant carbohydrates, bacterial protein, and mineral elements, making it a valuable agricultural renewable resource that can be developed into organic fertilizer through composting.

Objective

To analyze the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in mushroom residue samples at different composting stages using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, and to identify and analyze proteins expressed during the composting process using mass spectrometry and label-free quantification methods.

Results

The maximum temperature during composting reached 52.4°C and remained above 50°C for 8 days. Five main bacterial phyla (Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi) accounted for 98.9-99.7% of total bacteria. For fungi, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota represented 98.3-99.5% of total fungi. The study identified 22,815 proteins, with 2,212 showing differential expression across composting stages. Proteins related to cellulose decomposition showed significant stage-specific expression patterns.

Conclusion

The composting process showed distinct microbial succession patterns and protein expression profiles across different stages. The C/N ratio decreased from 29.47 to 17.66, indicating effective decomposition. The study revealed stage-specific expression of proteins involved in cellulose degradation, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the composting process and the specialized roles of different microorganisms at various stages.
  • Published in:BioMed Research International,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1155/2021/6620574
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