Major
Environmental Science
Anticipated Graduation Year
2020
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
This study investigated the potential for using spent coffee ground waste as a substrate material for Pleurotus pulmonarius, Phoenix Oyster mushroom cultivation. As a college campus, Loyola University Chicago produces vast amounts of coffee waste that, even when composted, contributes to carbon emissions. By diverting this waste product to hyper-local food production, we can hope to help further close the loop of Loyola’s food system. The results of the study suggest that coffee grounds on their own may not be a good candidate for a substrate, but as a supplement for more carbon-rich substrates they do have some promise.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Kevin Erickson, Urban Agriculture Coordinator
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Trash to Table: Pleurotus pulmonarius Cultivation on Spent Coffee Grounds
This study investigated the potential for using spent coffee ground waste as a substrate material for Pleurotus pulmonarius, Phoenix Oyster mushroom cultivation. As a college campus, Loyola University Chicago produces vast amounts of coffee waste that, even when composted, contributes to carbon emissions. By diverting this waste product to hyper-local food production, we can hope to help further close the loop of Loyola’s food system. The results of the study suggest that coffee grounds on their own may not be a good candidate for a substrate, but as a supplement for more carbon-rich substrates they do have some promise.