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Production of Biochar from Microwave Vacuum Pyrolysis of Spent
Mushroom Substrate for Potential Use in Mushroom Cultivation
Lee Xie Yi
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Su Shiung
Bachelor of Technology (Environment)
School of Ocean Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) represents a biomass waste generated from the
mushroom industry that can potentially be re-used in mushroom cultivation rather
than simply dumped into landfill. In this study, conversion of SMS into biochar was
performed by microwave vacuum pyrolysis (MVP) over a range of microwave
adsorbent to SMS ratios. The SMS-derived biochar obtained was re-used as mushroom
substrate to grow oyster mushroom. The results showed that biochar with the highest
fixed carbon content (60 wt%) and uniform surface porosity was obtained at the
microwave adsorbent to SMS ratio of 2:1 (termed “BC2:1”). Up to 50% of moisture
content and higher mycelium growth rate of 11% were recorded from the use of BC2:1
as mushroom substrate in mushroom cultivation compared to conventional mushroom
substrate (sawdust). Overall, the results demonstrate that SMS shows great potential
as a feedstock for production of biochar for use in mushroom cultivation.
36 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2019