Utilization of Disposable Face Masks as Substrate for Pleurotus Ostreatus Mushroom Production

Utilization of disposable face mask (FM) as carbon source for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom was investigated in the attempt to reduce plastic build up in the environment due to its disposal. Growth substrate was prepared using FM as sole and/or partial carbon source varied with mahogany wood shavings (MWS) at 25, 50, 75 and 100% composition (wt/wt). Visual sorting under stereo microscope to detect presence or absence of microplastics in the mushrooms produced was conducted. Shortest spawn run (25.5 days) and optimum number of fruiting bodies (28) were achieved at MWS:FM 75:25 while optimal fruiting body (fresh weight) (71g), biological efficiency (88.8%) and proximate outputs (except carbohydrate) were achieved at MWS:FM of 25:75. No form of microplastic fibre, fragments, microbeads, foams and nurdles was detected in the produced mushroom. This study demonstrated the ability of Pleurotus ostreatus to utilize disposable FM as growth substrate for its production.