Status and development of spent mushroom substrate recycling: A review

The edible mushroom industry is the sixth largest after grain, cotton, oil, vegetables and fruits, and the annual production of edible mushrooms in China exceeds 40 million tons. Edible mushroom cultivation produces a class of by-products consisting mainly of mycelium remnants and lignocellulosic waste, known as Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) or Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC). SMS/SMC is rich in nutrients and active ingredients and has an extremely high recycling potential. This review paper summarizes SMS recycling strategies from the perspectives of "environmental remediation" and "circular economy", and briefly discusses the legitimacy, possible challenges and future research of SMS recycling. It is hoped that this will assist researchers in related fields and promote the development of the SMS recycling industry, thereby contributing to sustainable environmental and economic development.Implication StatementThe efficient management of SMS is important for many countries around the world, particularly major mushroom producing countries. Traditional disposal methods (incineration, burial, piling) can cause serious damage to the environment and waste resources. The correct disposal method can protect the natural environment and provide certain economic benefits. This study presents the main methods of SMS processing from both an "environmental remediation" and "circular economy" perspective. In general, this paper emphasizes the importance of SMS processing, introduces the current mainstream processing methods and briefly discusses the legality of their processing methods.