Recently, mycelium-based composites are attracting attention as eco-friendly materials to replace fossil fuel-based plastics and Styrofoam. Various cellulose-based substrates are used as culture substrates for various mycelium materials. This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using various agricultural by-products as mycelium material substrates that can replace the main material, oak sawdust. The growth of mycelia was confirmed by inoculating the culture substrate with Irpex lacqueratus (KMCC02967) with four types of agricultural by-products (peach branch hemp stem, perilla stem, and pepper stem). As a result, compared to the oak sawdust substrate, when not only the agricultural by-products substrate itself but also nutritional sources such as rice and wheat bran were added, the effect of promoting mycelia growth was confirmed. The results of this study clearly show the potential of agricultural by-products to shorten the growth period of mycelia by replacing existing oak sawdust and reduce production costs through this. Based on these research results, it is suggested that agricultural by-products can be used as high value-added industrial materials and further suggests that they are sustainable alternatives that can contribute to carbon reduction and building a resource circulation economy.

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using domestic agricultural by-products—pruned branches of apple and pear trees, soybean stems, and spent cocopeat substrate—as alternative substrates for the cultivation of Flammulina velutipes. Chemical analysis showed that Substrate 1 (apple branches replacing corncob) and Substrate 2 (pear branches replacing corncob) had total carbon (42.6%) and total nitrogen (1.5%) contents most comparable to those of the Control. Mycelial growth in all mixed substrates exceeded that of the control. Fruiting body yield was higher in Substrate 2 (273.4 g/1,100mL) and Substrate 1 (238.0 g) compared with the Control (231.5 g). Fruiting body quality in Substrates 1 and 2 was equivalent to that of the control. These results indicate that woody by-products such as apple and pear pruned branches can serve as effective replacements corncob in F. velutipes cultivation.

This study was conducted to evaluate horticultural and herbal crop by-products as alternative substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii. Chemical analysis showed that Substrate 3 contained 42.2% total carbon and 2.6% total nitrogen, comparable to the control substrate (42.9% and 2.7%). After 35 days of incubation, mycelial growth in treatments ranged from 134.3 to 140.7 mm, which was similar to or greater than that of the control (135.5 mm). Fruiting body yield in Substrate 3 (173.4 g/1,100 mL) was about 14% higher than Control A (152.6 g) at 15 days after scratching, while Substrate 4 (202.9 g) produced yields comparable to Control B (209.6 g) at 17 days. These results demonstrate that red ginseng marc can entirely replace corn germ meal without compromising growth or yield, suggesting its strong potential as a sustainable substrate for P. eryngii. In addition, to enhance the utilization of by-products as substrate resources, it is essential to first establish stable and large-scale supply chains.

In this study, we analyzed the contents of different bioactive compounds, including those with antioxidant activity, in selected mushroom species. Analysis of DPPH radical-scavenging activity revealed that Agaricus bisporus(‘A15’) had the highest antioxidant efficacy at 33.1 μg/mL, followed by Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus, for which we also recorded high values. The results of nitrite-scavenging activity analysis revealed L. edodesto have the highest value at 15.8 μg/mL, with A. bisporus, P. ostreatus, and Wolfiporia extensaalso showing relatively good results. Furthermore, our analysis of total polyphenol contents indicated that A. bisporus had the highest content at 13.7 μg/mL, with L. edodesand Flammulina filiformis similarly having high levels, whereas W. extensa was established to contain the highest levels of β-glucan at 32.6 μg/mL, followed by L, edodes and P; ostreatus, which were also found to have significantly high values. These findings indicate that the antioxidant and nitrite-scavenging capacities and polyphenol and β-glucan contents differ according to fungal species. Among the evaluated species, given its high contents of a range of bioactive compounds, A. bisporus was assessed to be a suitable candidate for functional food development, Our findings in this study will provide essential basic data for the development of functional foods using edible mushroom species.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition of various edible and medicinal mushrooms and assess their potential as alternative food sources in response to increased meat consumption, which poses environmental and health risks. The crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and vitamin C contents of 17 edible and medicinal mushroom species, including Flammulina velutipes, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes, and Wolfiporia extensa, were systematically analyzed. Pleurotus ostreatus‘Suhan 2’ and P. eryngii‘No. 2’ showed high crude protein and carbohydrate contents, suggesting excellent potential as alternative protein and energy sources. Flammulina velutipesvarieties ‘TO22’ and ‘Aram’ exhibited relatively high crude fat contents, whereas P. eryngii‘No. 2’ and P. ostreatus‘Suhan 2’ had high vitamin C levels, suggesting a beneficial role in immune enhancement. In contrast, the medicinal mushroom W. extensa had relatively low protein and dietary fiber contents, limiting its potential as an alternative protein source compared to the other edible mushrooms. Nonetheless, it may provide other health benefits. The present study provides foundational data for the utilization of mushrooms as sustainable alternative food resources, supporting efforts to mitigate environmental impacts of meat production and improve dietary health.

This study analyzed patent trends for technologies that convert horticultural crop residues into mushroom substrates and developed mycelium-based utilization technologies. Environmental pollution caused by disposable plastics and Styrofoam has increased. Therefore, the demand for innovative and eco-friendly solutions has substantially increased. Agricultural residues such as fruit pruning residues and citrus waste provide economically and environmentally viable alternatives to imported raw materials because of their rich cellulose and lignin contents. Recent studies have shown that substrates containing these residues can produce mushrooms of equivalent quality as conventional sawdust-based media, thereby reducing production costs and improving resource independence. In addition, mushroom mycelia have been developed as sustainable materials for non-animal leather, packaging, building, and insulation. A patent analysis of ECOVATIVE confirmed important innovations in processing, material mixing, and product applications. The results provide the foundation for building an integrated system for utilizing horticultural residue resources with mycelium-based materials, as well as offers strategic insights and future directions for the research and development of sustainable industrial materials. The results also demonstrate the potential of agricultural byproducts to reduce dependence on imported substrates, lower cultivation costs, and mitigate environmental impacts, ultimately contributing to a circular economy for the development of sustainable materials.

Oyster mushrooms were analyzed to confirm the effect of installing a convection fan on the uniformity of the environment inside the cultivation house, the quantity of fruiting bodies, and marketability for stable production. When using a convection fan, it was confirmed that the temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentration were maintained more uniformly than when not used.As for the characteristics of the fruiting bodies, the quantity per bottle was 177.3 g when using a convection fan, which was 17% higher than when not used, and the individual weight was 49% higher. In addition, the cap diameter, cap thickness, and stem thickness increased slightly in the convection fan treatment, and the stem length was shorter.

This study evaluated the quality characteristics of Flammulina velutipesduring storage using modified atmosphere films of different thicknesses (20, 40, and 60 μm). The films included high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). F. velutipeswere stored at 1°C for six weeks, and quality was assessed based on weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, color parameters, β-glucan content, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] radical scavenging activities). All HDPE and LDPE films were more effective than the conventional film (polypropylene) at maintaining mushroom quality, particularly in the later stages of storage. In particular, LDPE films with thicknesses of 20 and 40 μm showed superior performance at reducing respiration rates and weight loss, while mushrooms packaged with these films retained higher TPC and antioxidant activities. The β-glucan content also remained more stable in mushrooms stored using HDPE and LDPE films. Although we did not evaluate changes in sensory properties or nutritional components, such as vitamins, our results suggest that the type and thickness of packaging films significantly influence the preservation of the quality of F. velutipesduring storage. Additionally, LDPE films with thicknesses of 20 and 40 μm were found to be the most suitable packaging materials for the distribution and storage of F. velutipes. Furthermore, these findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the selection of optimal packaging materials to extend the shelf life and maintain freshness during the postharvest handlingof F. velutipes.

In this study, Pleurotus ostreatus were grown in bottles at temperatures set to 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C inside the cultivation room. Changes in temperature, CO2 concentration, and humidity inside the bottles were measured, and growth characteristics according to the temperature conditions were evaluated. CO2 concentration increased overall as the temperature increased and was particularly stable at 20°C, suggesting that 20°C is the optimal condition for the physiological respiration of P. ostreatus . While humidity was relatively constant at 15°C, it decreased over time at 20°C and was maintained at a stable level at 25°C, suggesting that water retention capacity may occur at high temperatures. As a result of the growth investigation, the yield per bottle and individual weight were the highest at 20°C, confirming that 20°C is the most suitable temperature condition for the growth of oyster mushrooms. At 25°C, the yield per bottle was maintained but the individual weight decreased and the color tended to change. These results suggest that the interaction between CO2 concentration, humidity, and temperature has a significant effect on the growth and quality of oyster mushrooms, and that it is effective to control the cultivation room temperature to 20°C for optimal growth.

Flammulina velutipesis highly valued and widely consumed because of its nutritional and functional benefits, and its global demand is steadily increasing. However, rapid quality deterioration and short shelf life create an urgent need for effective preservation and advanced quality assessment of Flammulina velutipes. The aim of this review was to identify methods that reduce postharvest quality loss, extend shelf life, and optimize storage and distribution practices for Flammulina velutipes. Chemical treatments (including antioxidants, 1-methylcyclopropene, and edible coatings), low-temperature plasma, and innovative nanocomposite-based packaging have been effective in maintaining Flammulina velutipesquality after harvest. Nevertheless, further discussions on the economic feasibility, safety, and sustainability of these technologies are essential for their practical and industrial applications in Flammulina velutipespreservation.

Cnidium officinale M. is an important crop that is widely used as a raw material for health functional foods. However, it is experiencing cultivation difficulties due to climate change and abnormally high temperatures. In response to this problem, the characteristics and main causes of the high-temperature damage occurring in C. officinale M. cultivation fields were analyzed. A survey of five farmhouse fields in Jecheon and Bonghwa, major C. officinale M. cultivation areas in Korea in 2018, indicated that about 5% to 37% of the cultivation fields in Jecheon and 5% to 15% of the fields in Bonghwa died from wilting. The high-temperature damage of the C. officinale M. fields is divided into two categories: upper leaves drying due to solar radiation and temperature, and lower leaves dying serially to the radiant heat of the vinyl mulch. Damage caused by radiant heat was typically greater. This is due to the greenhouse effect that occurs in the small space between the black vinyl mulching and the soil. The heat radiated to the surface of the ridge creating an environmental condition that greatly exceeded the atmospheric temperature especially on hot days. As a result, short plants with underground parts, such as C. officinale M., can suffer more high-temperature damage than other plants, so it is considered that it is necessary to develop related technologies such as mulching materials that can reduce pavement temperature in the future.

고려엉겅퀴(Cirsium setidens Nakai)는 여러해살이 초본식물로서 식용이 가능하며 곤드레라고 부르기도 한다. 최근 고려엉겅퀴에 여뀌못 털진딧물(Capitophorus elaeagni, Del Guercio)의 발생이 확인되어 재배농가의 피해가 예상되고 있다. 이에 대한 친환경적인 방제방법 구명을 위 해 시판 유기농업자재를 이용하여 고려엉겅퀴 식물체에 발생한 여뀌못털진딧물에 대한 방제효과를 검정한 결과 pyrethrins+paraffinic oils 이 98% 수준의 방제가를 보여주었으며 pyrethrins+matrine+pyroligneous 가 약 95%의 방제가를, azadirachtin+rotenone 성분이 75% 이상의 방제효과를 보여주었다. 이중 pyrethrins 성분이 가장 좋은 효과를 주는 것으로 여겨지며 유기농업자재 살포로 인한 약해는 발생하지 않았다.