Performance Evaluation of Mycelium-Based Biofiltration System for the Removal of Physicochemical and Microbiological Pollutant from Poultry Wastewater

Abstract

- Poultry wastewater contains high levels of microbiological and physicochemical contaminants that may contribute to environmental pollution when inadequately treated. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a mycelium-based biofiltration system using Pleurotus ostreatus in reducing selected contaminants in poultry wastewater. Specifically, the study determined the changes in Escherichia coli (E. coli), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and ammoniacal nitrogen following five days of treatment. A quantitative experimental design was employed, in which poultry wastewater samples were treated using submerged mycelial booms for five consecutive days. Pre-treatment and post-treatment samples were analyzed for the selected microbiological and physicochemical parameters, and percentage reductions were calculated. The results showed reductions in all measured parameters. E. coli decreased from 1,210,000 to approximately 119,667 MPN/100 mL, representing a 90.1% reduction. COD decreased from 1,303.33 to 517.67 mg/L, corresponding to a 60.3% reduction, while ammoniacal nitrogen decreased from 81.10 to 42.70 mg/L as N, representing a 47.3% reduction. The greatest percentage reduction was observed in E. coli, followed by COD and ammoniacal nitrogen. These findings demonstrated that the P. ostreatus-based biofiltration system reduced microbial contamination, organic load, and ammoniacal nitrogen under the experimental conditions. However, measurable concentrations of all parameters remained after treatment. Therefore, the system demonstrated potential as a biological wastewater treatment or pretreatment component but was not sufficient as a stand-alone treatment for discharge or reuse.