Spent Mushroom Substrate as a Renewable Energy Resource: Evaluating Its Biogas Production Potential

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), often overlooked as waste despite its richness in organic matter and mineral micronutrients, is increasingly recognized as a versatile resource for various applications. This study examines the potential of SMS as a feedstock for biogas production. A periodic mesophilic fermentation regime at 36.0 ± 0.1 °C was selected to conduct the experiments, after mixing the substrate with the inoculum, over a period of 38 days. The experimental results showed an average biogas yield of 292.7 Nm3/t of fresh SMS, with a methane concentration of 66.2%, making SMS a competitive resource for renewable energy production. This approach not only offers economic benefits for agricultural and energy sectors, but also supports environmental sustainability by promoting waste reduction and resource valorization.