Pages 343–347
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
To achieve high-value utilization of tannery solid wastes, this study use cow hair and trimmings collected from beamhouse process, which are rich in keratin and collagen. By adjusting the proportion of these two waste components, porous carbon was synthesized through KOH activation under anoxic conditions, yielding a high specific surface area of 2893 m²/g and a total pore volume of 1.88 cm³/g. The porous carbon was evenly dispersed into the Pleurotus ostreatus substrate to promote mycelial growth. Due to the abundant pore structure acting as an effective growth matrix, the porous carbon significantly improved mycelial network formation, accelerated substrate decomposition and enhanced protease acitivity. This study provides an efficient approach for utilizing the solid wastes generated in leather production, and demonstrates the potential of porous carbon to improve mycelium growth, which will be beneficial for the further development of mycelial leather alternatives production.