Evaluation of sisal post-harvest waste as a potential bioresource for
production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sapidus (P969) and
Pleurotus HK-37)
ANTHONY MSHANDETE-UDSM
First Bio-Innovate Regional Scientific
Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25-27 Feb 2013

From sisal post-harvest wastes to
edible valuable mushrooms crop
Background
BIOREFINERY: is the technology for Biomass
bioresource conversion into useful biomaterials
and/or bio-energy carriers in an integrated manner
and thereby it can maximize the economic value of
the biomass used while reducing the waste streams
produced

From sisal post-harvest wastes to
edible valuable mushrooms crop
Challenges to Biorefinery
One of the main challenge; Sustainability of biomass
resources supply being is ONE of the key issues for
the transition towards the bio-based economy.
Therefore the biomass resources needs to be
identified from the perspective of supply and
demand.

From sisal post-harvest wastes to
edible valuable mushrooms crop
What is the problem?
Scarcity of innovative sustainable technologies and
their adoption for mushroom production from sisal
processing industry in Tanzania particularly SPHW
contributes to environmental pollution, emission of
GHG and biological resource wastage.

From sisal post-harvest wastes to
edible valuable mushrooms crop
Demonstrated potential of SPHW
Sisal post harvest wastes has been
identified quantified and characterized as a
bioresource.
SISAL INDUSTRY:
Generically discards
98% of sisal plant
biomass as waste

From sisal post-harvest wastes to
edible valuable mushrooms crop
Sisal post harvest wastes bioresource.
SISAL LEAF REMNANTS WASTE SISAL BOLE WASTES
SPHW EACH WEIGHS
19=129 KG

From sisal post-harvest wastes to edible
valuable mushrooms crop
Sisal post harvest wastes bioresource
Mshandete, A.M., Kibazohi, O and Kivaisi, A.K., (2013).
Tanzania sisal industry: Auditing and characterization
of sisal post-harvest wastes as a bioresource for
biorefining. International Journal of Pure and Applied
Sciences and Technology. (IN PRESS). Proposed
integrated utilization of sisal post-harvest waste. SEE
OVERLEAF

Poles Sisal Post-harvest waste Sisal boles including leaf stubs
Chopping, crushing, leachate
Construction
extraction
materials
Chopping, drying, grinding Biomass Leachate
residue
Mushroom cultivation Chemical/fermentation processing
Mushrooms: To
markets
Spent mushroom substrate
Inulin, organic acids,
ethanol, biogas, etc.
Co-digestion with animal
manures for biogas Biogas
Biofertilizer to sisal plantations

From sisal post-harvest wastes to
edible valuable mushrooms crop
Technical limitations of SPHW for
mushroom cultivation.
SISAL LEAF REMNANTS WASTE SISAL BOLE WASTES

From sisal post-harvest wastes to edible valuable
mushrooms crop
How Technical limitations were ADRESSED:
*Pre-treatment in water by complete immersion
(fermentation) for 10 days
*The pre-treated SPHW was used as substrate fabricated
glass SSF bioreactors

SPHW formulation for mushrooms
cultivation in glass bioreactors
•Volume 500 ml, Height 27 cm, Inner diameter
4.7 cm (r=2.35cm).
•Volume (cm3) occupied by mycelia=3.14xr2xh
Density =mass (g) of spawn/volume (g/cm3)
Colonization rate (mm/day)
•THREE SUBSTRATES:RSL
(DRIED);SBW (DRIED) MIXTURE
RSL (70%):SBW(30%)
•FIVE SPAWN RATES % (1.5, 2.5,
4, 5 AND 6.5) 200g moist
substrate per glass column
•
•TWO OYSTER MUSHROOMS
(PLEUROTUS HK37,PLEUROTUS
SAPIDUS P 969)

SPHW formulation for mushrooms
cultivation in I kg plastic bags
*BEST MUSHROOM SEEDS
rates of 2.5 and 4% of
Pleurotus HK-37
*Mixture 30% SBW and 70%
SLR
*BE of 80-86%
*Mushroom yield of 251-270
g/kg moist substrate

Conclusions
*Mixed SPHW may be considered a novel substrate
for large-scale Pleurotus HK-37 production
*For mushroom commercial ventures bioconversion
of 25% of the moist substrate into fresh mushrooms
is considered profitable.
*Based on Mushroom yield of 250 g/kg moist
substrate (25%), for large scale 2000 bags each
2 kg can produce 1000 kg of fresh mushrooms
per month.

Pathways to impact
*Knowledge and skills transfer to mushrooms
growers and entrepreneurs UDSM has TWO manuals
“Department receives the International Linnaeus Tricentennial Diploma
from Her Majesty the Crown Princes Victoria of Sweden, Outstanding
Mycological Research of benefit to Society” Award, Sweden

Pathways to impact
*Production of high quality MUSHROOM SEEDS
MATERIALS FOR GROWERS IN TANZANIA
MUSHROOM SEEDS OYSTER MUSHROOMS
MUSHROOM CULTURE

Acknowledgement: Bio-Innovate Regional
Scientific Conference –UNECA, Addis
Ababa