Polina Amaya

Research Project

Utilization of Mushroom By-Products

Bio

Polina Amaya is a professional mushroom grower with four years of experience in the industry. She co-founded the mushroom supply company Fungi For You and has helped many other mushroom growers with their facilities and production.

Research Summary

The research explores sustainable opportunities for managing residual waste from the mushroom industry. Focusing on small to medium-sized mushroom farms in Ontario, the study seeks to identify and leverage untapped potential within mushroom by-products, particularly spelt mushroom substrates (SMS). SMSs are organic blocks used to grow mushrooms that consist of dense nutrient materials, including mycelium – mushroom “roots.” However, the effective utilization and recycling of mushroom by-products remains a challenging area, hindered by the lack of regulations and sustainable waste management practices. By employing professional experience and deductive thematic analysis, the study identified that turning SMS into biochar has higher environmental and economic benefits for the mushroom industry.

Research Poster

A research infographic titled 'UTILIZATION OF MUSHROOM BY-PRODUCTS.' The left column details 'Mushroom Production By-Product: Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS),' including global market context, research question on waste reduction in Ontario, and deductive thematic analysis methodology. The right column details 'Specialty Mushroom Fruiting Body: Elm Oyster (Hypsizygus ulmarius),' presenting results on biochar production from SMS, a conclusion on sustainability, and recommendations for further exploration and education. A large photo at the bottom shows a hand holding a clear plastic bag filled with white mycelium substrate, from which a cluster of light beige, fan-shaped oyster mushrooms grows. Below the photo is a 'FUNGI FOR YOU' logo with icons for poop, a mushroom, and wheat.

Lightning Talk

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