Plastics are widely used in industries in human society and because of their structural stability, degradation is a serious global issue. To estimate the degradation of plastic, 31 edible mushrooms were cultured with the selected plastic films (polyethylene [PE], polystyrene [PS], and poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET]) for 3 months at 25 °C. Measuring the weight of the films showed that four species of mushrooms, namely Porostereum spadiceum, Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinellus micaceus, and Pleurotus ostreatus, exhibited the highest degrees of plastic degradation. In addition, the mushrooms and fungi that exhibited the most significant plastic degradation were cross-cultured to promote this degradation. As a result, cross-cultivation of G. lucidum and Aspergillus niger showed a weight loss of 2.49% for the PET film. For the PS film, Aspergillus nidulans showed a weight loss of 4.06%. Cross-cultivation of A. nidulans and C. micaceus, which showed a weight loss of 2.95%, was noted as an alternative for PS biodegradation, but is harmful to humans. These bio-degradation effects of edible mushroom will contribute to the development of alternatives for eco-friendly plastic degradation.

• 안기홍(농진청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부 버섯과) | Gi-Hong An (Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDA, Eumseong, Chungbuk, Korea)
• 이강효(농진청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부 버섯과) | Kang-Hyo Lee (Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDA, Eumseong, Chungbuk, Korea) Corresponding author
• 이은지(농진청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부 버섯과) | Eunji Lee (Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDA, Eumseong, Chungbuk, Korea)
• 최두호(농진청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부 버섯과) | Doo-Ho Choi (Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDA, Eumseong, Chungbuk, Korea)