Journal of Environmental Biology

Bioremediation of industrial waste through mushroom cultivation

 

Shweta Kulshreshtha*¹, Nupur Mathur², Pradeep Bhatnagar³ and B.L. Jain⁴

¹Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 015, India

² Centre for Converging Technology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India

³International College for Girls, Mansarovar, Jaipur, India

⁴Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 015, India

(Received: March 13, 2009; Revised received: September 05, 2009; Accepted: September 25, 2009)

 

Abstract: Handmade paper and cardboard industries are involved in processing of cellulosic and ligno-cellulosic substances for making paper by hand or simple machinery.? In the present study, solid sludge and effluent of both cardboard and handmade paper industries was collected for developing a mushroom cultivation technique to achieve zero waste discharges. Findings of present research work reveals that when 50% paper industries waste is used by mixing with 50% (w/w) wheat straw, significant increase (96.38%) in biological efficiency over control of wheat straw was observed. Further, cultivated basidiocarps showed normal morphology of stipe and pileus. Cross section of lamellae did not show any abnormality in the attachment of basidiospores, hymenal trama and basidium. No toxicity was found when fruiting bodies were tested chemically.

Key words: Mushroom cultivation, Pollution abatement, Handmade paper, Pulp and cardboard industries

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