The project ran between September 2017 and February 2021.
This project, that was part of the innovation project BioEconomy 2.0 – Improved valorisation of residue streams, was to develop technologies for integrating mushroom and biofuel production. Four white-rot edible fungi and a few wood residues were studied for mushroom yields, substrate delignification and recycling spent substrates for processing ethanol. It showed that Lentinula edodes is one of the best species. Birch and alder wood are good growing sources. One important finding is that optimal ratios of nitrogen and bark in the substrates reduce glucan degradation by 20-30%, and thus more glucan is available for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to bioethanol. The studies succeeded in determining key parameters for hot-air pasteurisation of mushroom substrates that can reduce 60% energy use and 65% CO2 emission than conventional steam autoclavation. Further, new devices and processes were developed to facilitate robotization of mushroom production, which may save >30% labour costs and 25% cultivation time. Five academic publications and 2 patents are among the major results.
Participants
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå University, ProcessIT Innovations, Biosteam AB, Valutec AB, SCA Obbola AB, SCA Munksund AB, Svampkungen AB, Swedfungi AB, Umeå Energi AB, Hällnäs Handelsträdgård AB and Cathaya Co Sweden AB.
Budget
The project’s budget was 8 980 000 SEK.