The Growth of Pleurotus ostreatus Using Potato Dextrose Agar Supplemented with Waste Human Hair Broth (WHHB)

Waste human hair causes environmental problems such as flooding, as a result of clogged drainages. It slowly breaks down over time to yield macro and trace minerals that are eventually returned to nature. Pleurotus ostreatus is cultivated worldwide, and it’s known to grow on several carbon and nitrogen sources. This study assessed the growth of P. ostreatus using potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented with Waste Human Hair Broth (WHHB). The growth of P. ostreatus mycelium was studied for 15 days on PDA supplemented with different concentrations of WHHB (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% v/v) which was obtained by modified hydrolysis technique. Subsequent P. ostreatus growth was analysed using 0 
and 100% v/v WHHB in grain spawn for 5 days. The physicochemical parameters and nutrient content of WHHB was analysed using standard methods, and mycelia growth was measured using standard methods. WHHB had a pH of 7.20 ± 0.02, temperature of 25oC and Protein content of 421.33 ± 3.06 mg/dL. Mycelia growth diameter and growth rate were significantly higher (p < 0 .05) in the 100% v/v WHHB relative to the control (0% v/v WHHB) after 15 days, and mycelium in 100% v/v WHHB grew luxuriously during spawn production after 5 days relative to 0% v/v WHHB. The pH and temperature values reported are optimal for the growth of P. ostreatus. Higher growth in WHHB is attributed to protein, 
macro and micro nutrients availability in the broth. The presence of nutrients in WHHB allowed for improved mycelium growth in the 100% v/v WHHB.