Development of Ecobrick Utilizing an Agrowaste Composed of Spent Lentinula Edodes Substrate

Abstract

The present study aimed production and evaluation of ecological bricks composed of spent mushroom substrate, in order to propose an alternative material in the scope of civil construction, which would reduce environmental problems related to its production. For this reason, spent mushroom substrate, an agro-waste discarded in the environment after mushroom harvest was evaluated to produce ecological bricks. The brick with spent mushroom substrate has a compression capacity of 0.8 MPa, while the standard brick, without spent mushroom substrate, has a resistance of 2.6 MPa, due to its porosity. The most abundant chemical element found was calcium and toxic elements were not detected. The greatest water absorption occurred in bricks made with spent mushroom substrate. Although water resistance and absorption are below the recommendations of building construction standards, the spent mushroom substrate bricks could be applied as sealing material and its production process reduced the consumption of raw materials, energy, water and the emission of pollutants.