Novel fungal bioreactors and their bioremediation of pathogenic bacteria in the environment

The filamentous and white rot fungal species, P. ostreatus , is known to degrade pathogens in the environment when in a nutrient limiting condition or starved. By utilizing novel mycoremediation techniques, P. ostreatus could be utilized as a pre- harvest food safety measure. This study was conducted to assess the three different matrices (spent mushroom compost, reticulated polyurethane foam, and woodchips) to determine their nutrient values and capabilities in aiding white rot fungus, P. ostreatus , into ligninolytic activity to inhibit E. coli in a novel bioreactor system. Overall, woodchips were proven to be the most effective matrix at supporting ligninolytic activity and increasing bacterial inhibition. Woodchips fostered greater bacterial reduction with a reduction of 2.1 log-CFU/mL ( p < 0.0001), when compared to spent mushroom compost (reduction of 0.6 log CFU/mL) ( p =0.0325) and reticulated polyurethane foam (reduction of 1.1 log CFU/mL) ( p