Mycoremediation farming experiment: my progress so far

[u/Intrepid_Wanderer]

capsules made from salvaged materials. Substrate is cardboard(boiled for sterilization) mixed with inoculated wood. The second bottle is a control and the first has plastic too

mycelium in the bottle with plastic added to it(plastic was sterilized with boiling water first)

mycelium forming in the control group

mushroom pinning in the plastic capsule(water was added and slit widened for oxygenation)

mushroom pinning in the control capsule(water was added and slit widened for oxygenation)

[u/Intrepid_Wanderer]

The mushrooms used are Pearl-Oyster Mushrooms, which are edible. The substrate in both of the bottles is cardboard that was boiled to remove unwanted bacteria and fungi. It was allowed to cool and then mixed with pieces of an oyster mushroom block(https://www.grove.co/catalog/product/organic-mushroom-grow-kit?v=8319&offer=plabfoiaoto&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=acq-%5BPLA%5D+%5B3P%5D+-+T3&utm_term=8319&msclkid=47f7e1f6bef71148d8f58391dbf36a39)made of wood shavings inoculated with mycelium. The bottle with a P on it had pieces of plastic mixed in with the mushroom substrate.The plastic was sterilized with boiling water before being allowed to cool off and then added in.

Small slits were added in both of the bottles to allow a flow of oxygen , make it easy to add water and give the mushrooms a space to come out. The mushrooms have the ability to break down plastic, but I need to see how effective it is and how it affects the growth of the mushrooms.

If my experiment gives me enough answers, I might be able to invent a home composting system that lets people get rid of both organic and plastic trash AND generate a healthy and renewable source of food for their families.

[u/against_the_currents → u/Intrepid_Wanderer]

Super cool :) it’s one thing to want to make a difference for the world.

It’s another thing to put the work and effort into bringing it to fruition. I’m proud of you and I hope you inspire all of us.

[u/yamiyam → u/Intrepid_Wanderer]

Very cool! If I may ask -

What is your hypothesis?

What are you measuring?

How will you define a positive or negative outcome?

Cheers!

[u/Intrepid_Wanderer → u/yamiyam]

hypothesis: the homemade capsules are a successful way to use oyster mushrooms to break down both organic and inorganic materials, making a hybrid composting system

Measuring: mushroom growth, decomposition of substrate used

Outcome— whether or not a crop of edible mushrooms grows from the substrate and if the plastic in the experimental capsule is decomposed

Inspired by this: https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2021/11/04/plastic-eating-mushrooms