Abstract
In one of the main cultivation methods for shiitake mushrooms, known as the spawn-based cultivation method, expanded polystyrene (EPS) caps are used as covers for the mushroom spawn. However, due to the lack of established proper disposal methods for the large quantities of EPS caps used, their disposal becomes challenging, potentially leading to microplastic pollution. In this study, chitosan was investigated as an alternative material to replace EPS.
However, the current chitosan-based caps used in the cultivation process under natural environmental conditions, such as in log cultivation, do not function properly as the cap sizes expand or contract depending on weather conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a technique to improve the water resistance of chitosan-based caps, enabling them to function effectively as spawn caps even in natural environments.
For improving water resistance, methods such as incorporating insoluble chitin or applying coatings to the cap surface were attempted. As a result, a certain level of improvement in water resistance of the caps was achieved in this experiment.
