Valorization of textile waste through biodegradation, fruiting body production, and mycelium composite formation by Pleurotus ostreatus

Waste textiles, particularly those containing natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and hemp, can be repurposed as substrates for oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreatus ) cultivation due to their high cellulose and lignin content. This approach offers an environmentally friendly strategy for textile waste valorisation while simultaneously producing edible mushrooms and mycelium-based composite materials with potential insulating applications. In the present study, cultivation conditions for P. ostreatus were optimized with respect to growth-medium composition, humidity, temperature, and fruiting parameters. Both mycelium and fruiting bodies were analysed for metal content. Among the metals tested, only zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) were detected in both mycelium and fruiting bodies, at comparable concentrations of approximately 170, 80 and 21 mg/kg, respectively. Across six experimental variants, fruiting body yields ranged from 0 to 45 g per cultivation bag, with an average yield of 20 g per bag. A schematic production workflow for P. ostreatus fruiting bodies based on substrates containing 30%, 50%, and 100% textile waste is presented. In addition, selected mechanical and thermal properties of textile–mycelium composites were evaluated, demonstrating their potential applicability as bio-based construction and insulation materials.