Due to the implementation of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) scheme, the verification of the microbiological safety of imported agricultural by-products used as mushroom substrates is now concerning. However, basic data on pathogenic fungi remain scarce. In this study, we examined fungal contamination levels (CFU/g) in the agricultural by-products imported in 2017 from Egypt, Germany, India, and Ukraine. Fungal loads ranged from 1.0 × 102 - 6.6 × 104 CFU/g. A total of 25 species across 10 genera were identified, including 21 species from Ascomycota, 3 species from Basidiomycota, and 1 species from Mucoromycota. Some of these species have been known to produce mycotoxins and exhibit pathogenicity toward humans or animals. The results of this study suggest that the fungal contamination in imported agricultural by-products is a critical factor to be considered in mushroom cultivation.

This study was conducted to investigate the potential use of Cordyceps militaris spent mushroom substrate as a natural antimicrobial agent. The fruiting body and spent mushroom substrate of C. militaris were extracted into 80% ethanol, and the antimicrobial activity was compared. Both extracts (1 mg/disc) exhibited clear antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the agar diffusion assay. The MIC values of the fruiting body and spent substrate extracts against P. aeruginosa were determined to be 0.4 mg/ml and 0.6 mg/ml, respectively, indicating a bacteriostatic action. The inhibitory effects of the C. militarisspent mushroom substrate extract on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa were determined by biofilm biomass staining and qRT-PCR analysis. The biofilm biomass and cell growth of P. aeruginosa in the cultures treated with 0.2–2.0 mg/ml of extracts were significantly decreasedin a concentration-dependent manner. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the lasI and lasR gene expression associated to quorum sensing (QS) in the cultures treated with 0.2–2.0 mg/ml of extracts were suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that extracts from C. militaris spent mushroom substrate can be used as an antimicrobial agent derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the bacteriostatic action and inhibition of biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa.

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.

The objective of this study was to achieve biological control of green mold disease in Pyogo mushrooms using antagonistic microorganisms. Bacillus subtilis BSM320 cells inhibited mycelial growth by 48–60% against three Trichodermaisolates including T. hazianumisolated from the substrates of Lentinula edodes, showing their antifungal activity.The bacteria were cultured to a high density of 4.2 x 109±113.7 cfu/mlin aqueous extract of composted spent mushroom substrates of L. edodes containing 1% glucose and showed a higher growth rate than that observed when using the commercial medium, Luria-Bertani broth. The bacterial culture showed a 75% protective effect without damaging the mushroom fruiting bodies. These results suggest that B. subtilis BSM320culture is suitable for biological control of green mold disease during mushroom cultivation.

We conducted an on-site application study at the livestock cooperative fertilizer plant to compare the composting period, temperature change, moisture content, and chemical properties between livestock manure compost using sawdust as a moisture regulator with those using spent oyster mushroom substrate. The composting period, moisture content, and fertilizer composition of compost containing spent oyster mushroom substrate did not differ from that of conventional compost mixed with sawdust after the first and second fermentation and post-maturation stages, it was suitable as a material for manufacturing livestock manure compost. The spent oyster mushroom substrate also lower the production cost of livestock manure compost by replacing the more expensive sawdust. The developed technology is expected to contribute towards the utilization of by-products of the oyster mushroom harvest while simultaneously producing high quality livestock manure compost.

Bacillus velezensis HKB-1가 표고버섯 수확후배지 퇴비로부터 분리되었으며 고추역병균(Phythopthora capsici), 인삼모 잘록병균(Rhizoctonia solani), 고추탄저병균(Collectotrichum coccodes) 및 시들음병(Fusarium oxysporium)의 균사체 성장을 70% 이상 억제하는 항 진균 활성을 보였다. B. velezensis HKB-1은 표고버섯 수확후배지 퇴비물 추출물과 당밀 1% 첨가배지에서 다른 상업용 세균배지보다 10~100배 더 높은 세균증식률을 보였으며 고추 역병균의 균사체 생장을 90% 억제하였으며 고추생육 촉진효과 및 고추역병에 대하여 70% 이상의 방제효과가 있었다.

Over a million tons of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) are generated as by-products of mushroom cultivation every year in Korea. Disposal of SMS by mushroom farmers is difficult, therefore, recycling solutions that do not harm the environment are necessary. SMS consists of mushroom mycelia and residues of fruiting bodies, containing a variety of bioactive substances, such as extracellular enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and secondary metabolites. This paper reviews utility of SMS for bioremediation, controlling plant disease, and production of lignocellulytic enzymes, organic fertilizer, and animal feed.

본 연구는 아미노산과 질소원이 증진된 수확후배지를 재사용하고, 느타리에서 영양원으로 사용되는 면실박의 사용을 줄이기 위해 수행되었다. 수확후배지의 질소원 증진을 위해 두 가지의 세균이 사용 되었으며, GM20-4는 느타리버섯의 수확후배지부터 분리되었고, Rhodobacter sphaeroides는 광주시농업기술센터로부터 분양받았다. 처리구에 사용된 수확후배지는 건조 후 사용했으며, 위의 2가지의 미생물 처리에 의해 수확후배지의 총질소 함량은 0.34% 증가되었다. 8% DSMS 가진 T1처리구와 18% D-SMS가 첨가된 T2가 대조와 T3처리구보다 발이율이 높았으며, 생물학적 효율은 대조 110%, T1이 114%, T2가 112%, T3가 79%로 조사되었다. 경제성, 수량 및 생물학적 효율을 고려해볼 때 18% 건조 수확후배지를 사용한 T2가 느타리 재배배지로 가장 효율적인 것으로 조사되었다.