Research Topic: composting

Environmental impact of bioplastic use: A review

Bioplastics are plastic-like materials made from renewable sources like corn, seaweed, and mushroom mycelium instead of petroleum. While they’re often promoted as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, they have their own problems including methane emissions and using farmland needed for food production. However, research shows that despite these drawbacks, bioplastics generally cause less environmental harm than traditional petroleum-based plastics.

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Ultra-high temperature bacterial agents enhance heavy metal passivation and antibiotic degradation in compost

This study develops a faster, more effective way to treat pig manure contaminated with both heavy metals and antibiotics. By combining special heat-loving bacteria with activated carbon and optimized moisture levels, the composting process reaches very high temperatures that accelerate both metal immobilization and antibiotic breakdown. The method successfully removes over 99% of harmful antibiotics while stabilizing heavy metals within 30 days, producing safe fertilizer that meets quality standards.

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Temporal characterization of biocycles of mycelium-bound composites made from bamboo and Pleurotus ostreatus for indoor usage

Scientists created a sustainable building material by growing oyster mushroom fungus on bamboo fibers. The material was strong enough for packaging and could be composted after use to enrich soil, completing a full cycle in about 7 months. By adding a natural beeswax coating, the material lasted longer while remaining completely biodegradable. This proof-of-concept demonstrates how fungal materials could replace synthetic plastics in a circular economy.

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Influence of the Ultrasonic Treatment on the Properties of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, Modified by Antimicrobial Additive

Researchers developed a new eco-friendly plastic material for food packaging that combines two important benefits: it breaks down naturally in the environment, and it prevents harmful bacteria and fungi from growing on food. The material is made from a biodegradable plastic called PBAT mixed with a natural extract from birch bark. Using special ultrasonic sound waves during manufacturing helped distribute the birch extract evenly throughout the material, improving its performance.

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Occurrence and function of enzymes for lignocellulose degradation in commercial Agaricus bisporus cultivation

White button mushrooms grow on compost made from straw and manure through carefully controlled phases. The mushroom uses specific enzymes to break down tough plant materials, especially lignin during the growing mycelium stage, which helps make nutrients available for mushroom formation. Understanding these enzymatic processes could help mushroom farmers improve their production by developing better mushroom strains that degrade plant materials more efficiently.

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Sustainable Recycling of Mushroom Residue as an Effective Substitute for Cotton Hull Waste in Volvariella volvacea Cultivation: Evidence from Physicochemical and Microbiome Analyses

This research shows that mushroom waste left over from growing one type of mushroom can be recycled to grow another type of mushroom, called straw mushroom. The recycled mushroom waste works just as well as the traditional cotton hull material currently used, but costs much less money. By analyzing the bacteria and chemical changes during the composting process, scientists found that beneficial bacteria break down the organic matter effectively, making this recycling method both environmentally friendly and economically practical.

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Development of a consortium-based microbial agent beneficial to composting of distilled grain waste for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation

Scientists developed a special mix of five beneficial bacteria found in grain waste composting to speed up the process of preparing grain waste as growing substrate for oyster mushrooms. This microbial treatment made the composting hotter and faster, allowing oyster mushroom roots to grow quicker on the substrate. While the final mushroom harvest was similar in quantity, using this microbial treatment allowed farmers to harvest mushrooms about a week earlier. This method offers a practical way to recycle grain waste into valuable mushroom crops.

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Sustainable Recycling of Mushroom Residue as an Effective Substitute for Cotton Hull Waste in Volvariella volvacea Cultivation: Evidence from Physicochemical and Microbiome Analyses

This research shows that mushroom waste left over from growing mushrooms can be successfully recycled as a growing medium for straw mushrooms, similar to the traditional cotton hull waste currently used. The recycled mushroom residue produces mushrooms of equivalent quality and quantity but costs much less to purchase. By analyzing the microscopic bacterial communities in the compost, scientists found that different bacteria help break down the organic matter in both types of substrates, supporting efficient mushroom growth.

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Mycovorax composti gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Chitinophagaceae isolated from button mushroom compost

Scientists have discovered a new type of bacteria living in button mushroom compost called Mycovorax composti. This bacterium is found in the compost during a special preparation phase and helps break down tough plant materials and fungal structures. The bacteria thrive at warm temperatures (around 45°C) and play an important role in creating a healthy environment for growing button mushrooms. This discovery helps us better understand the microbial communities that make mushroom farming possible.

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