Aditi Sharma, Saili Mandavkar, Samruddhi Khemkar, and Vivek Kant
The primary aim of the project is to comprehend the current market of oyster mushrooms, analyse the different sectors associated with its production, distribution and support, and study its potential as a sustainable resource for innovative solutions, particularly in decontaminating polluted areas. The research and analysis culminate in the design of a functional solution to promote the circular economy, which is presented as a gigamap.
The Indian mushroom market is experiencing significant growth owing to its economic potential, sustainability benefits, and contribution to nutritional security. This project delves into the mushroom markets, strategically focusing on Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus) as a key species for understanding and innovating within the nation’s mycelium industry.
The analysis categorised all the associated markets and stakeholders into primary, secondary, and tertiary, providing a comprehensive understanding of the oyster mushroom ecosystem. Further research into its cultivation process, encompassing substrate preparation, spawning, incubation, fruiting, harvesting, and post-harvest management, revealed critical areas for potential enhancement.
We then highlighted the diverse industrial applications of oyster mushrooms, with a particular emphasis on mycoremediation, which uses fungi to decontaminate polluted environments. The mechanisms and factors influencing mycoremediation success were analysed, focusing on enzymatic activity, pollutant degradation, synergistic relationships, and environmental conditions. Challenges and limitations to the commercialisation of mycoremediation were addressed, and its potential applications across various sectors, including oil spill cleanup, heavy metal pollution remediation, pesticide degradation, and industrial waste treatment, were identified.
The analysis revealed that utilising decontamination methods to tackle indoor air pollution by leveraging the filtration and purification properties of mycelium networks presented the highest potential impact with the least effort, becoming the project’s primary leverage point. Based on this leverage point, a design brief was established to create a sustainable, bio-inspired air purifier utilising mycelium’s natural air purification properties through mycoremediation principles. The proposed air purifier utilises a mycelium-based filter as a sustainable alternative to traditional HEPA filters, offering cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness. The mycelial network effectively traps particulate matter, breaks down volatile organic compounds, and enhances airflow. The design emphasises a circular economy approach, minimising adverse environmental impact while effectively improving indoor air quality.
KEYWORDS: oyster mushrooms, mycoremediation, mycelial network, circular economy, synergistic relationships, pollution mitigation, bio-inspired design, decontamination, bioremediation
This is a map from the HFSS Studio (Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur). Related talk by Vivek Kant.
