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From Waste to Value: Investigating Mushroom Stems from Pleurotus ostreatus Grown on Mealworm Frass as a Nutritional Source for Aquaculture Feed

Author

Listed:
  • Soukaina Hilali

    (Celabor, Research Center, Avenue du Parc 38, 4650 Chaineux, Belgium)

  • Emilie Stierlin

    (Celabor, Research Center, Avenue du Parc 38, 4650 Chaineux, Belgium)

  • María Luisa Tello Martín

    (Mushroom Technological Research Center of La Rioja (CTICH), Carretera Calahorra, km 4, 26560 La Rioja, Spain)

  • Diogo Amaral

    (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR LA), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
    School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Margarita Pérez-Clavijo

    (Mushroom Technological Research Center of La Rioja (CTICH), Carretera Calahorra, km 4, 26560 La Rioja, Spain)

  • Mariana Girão

    (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR LA), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal)

  • Maria de Fátima Carvalho

    (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR LA), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
    School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Andrea María Pérez Bonilla

    (Tebrio Group S.L, Ctra. Nacional 620 km 244, 37120 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Sabas de Diego

    (Tebrio Group S.L, Ctra. Nacional 620 km 244, 37120 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Pablo Ramírez

    (Tebrio Group S.L, Ctra. Nacional 620 km 244, 37120 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Rodrigo Ozorio

    (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR LA), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal)

Abstract

This study investigated mealworm frass as a sustainable substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation while valorizing mushroom stems as aquaculture feed. Mushrooms were grown on substrates containing 0–15% frass, and nutritional analyses were conducted on both fruiting bodies (for human consumption) and stems (for fish feed). Increasing frass levels significantly enhanced protein content, rising from 7.78% to 22.31% in stems and 24.74% to 30.99% in fruiting bodies. Lipid concentrations showed minor fluctuations while, in contrast, β-glucan content declined with high frass inclusion percentages. Essential amino acid levels peaked at 7.37% in stems (15% frass) and 8.08% in fruiting bodies (12.5% frass). Polyunsaturated fatty acids dominated the fatty acid profile, increasing with high frass levels. Mushroom bodies and stems were additionally investigated for their antimicrobial activity to determine whether they could offer protection against common fish and human pathogens. Antimicrobial assays revealed that dichloromethane extracts from stems grown on 12.5% and 15% frass exhibited inhibitory activity (inhibition zones of 10–11 mm) against Tenacibaculum maritimum , a microorganism that poses a significant threat to aquaculture. These findings highlight mealworm frass as a promising substrate for enhancing mushroom nutritional value while providing a sustainable, protein-rich feed ingredient for aquaculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Soukaina Hilali & Emilie Stierlin & María Luisa Tello Martín & Diogo Amaral & Margarita Pérez-Clavijo & Mariana Girão & Maria de Fátima Carvalho & Andrea María Pérez Bonilla & Sabas de Diego & Pablo R, 2025. "From Waste to Value: Investigating Mushroom Stems from Pleurotus ostreatus Grown on Mealworm Frass as a Nutritional Source for Aquaculture Feed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6496-:d:1702537
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vos, Rob & Glauber, Joseph & Hebebrand, Charlotte & Rice, Brendan, 2025. "Global shocks to fertilizer markets: Impacts on prices, demand and farm profitability," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
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