Use of Selenium-Contaminated Plant Waste Materials from Phytoremediation in Central California for Production of Selenium-Enriched Edible Mushrooms
EPA Grant Number: SU836036Title: Use of Selenium-Contaminated Plant Waste Materials from Phytoremediation in Central California for Production of Selenium-Enriched Edible Mushrooms
Investigators: Lin, Zhi-Qing
Current Investigators: Lin, Zhi-Qing , Morrissy, Jennifer , Hong, Jie , Haddad, Samuel
Institution: Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2011 through August 14, 2012
Project Amount: $14,539
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using selenium-polluted plant waste materials harvested from phytoremediation filed sites in the San Joaquin Valley in central California to produce selenium-enriched edible mushrooms. The proposed research activities will prove this novel concept that integrates phytoremediation and biofortification processes and develop an environmentally sound and sustainable management strategy for the reduction of agricultural wastewaters and solid wastes.
Approach:
This study will measure concentrations of selenium in different edible mushroom species/varieties that are commonly produced in the US, and will determine the research needs in producing selenium-biofortified edible mushrooms. The further research will select two mushroom species/varieties that contain low concentrations of selenium in fruiting bodies, and will determine their ability of accumulating selenium from the growth substrates treated with selenium. Laboratory experiments will also be carried out to determine potential effects of different chemical forms of selenium (i.e., selenate, senenite and selenomethionine) on selenium accumulation in mushroom tissues. The focus of this project is to test the concept that uses selenium-polluted plant materials to grow selenium-enriched edible mushrooms, which includes developing technical protocols for the growth substrate preparation and optimizing selenium accumulation in mushroom tissues.
Expected Results:
This study will demonstrate the need and feasibility of producing selenium-biofortified edible mushrooms on selenium-contaminated plant waste materials. Accumulation of selenium in mushroom tissues can be enhanced with increasing selenium contents in the growth substrates, and also be affected by the dominant chemical forms of selenium in the substrates. The findings from this proposed laboratory experiments will prove the concept that utilizes selenium-polluted plant waste materials harvested from phytoremediation in the agricultural field to produce selenium-biofortified edible mushrooms.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
None.