The Rapid Measurement of Volatile Chemicals as a Quality Parameter in Mushroom Composting

The world demand for high quality fresh produce is increasing and the trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. This is putting an ever greater pressure on fresh food production systems. Fresh mushrooms are low in calories and fat and high in vitamins C and B. The yield of mushrooms is hugely dependent upon the quality of the compost substrate used for their cultivation. This project seeks to examine the feasibility of using an innovative sensor technology to measure the quality of the mushroom substrate throughout its production, thereby allowing more effective management of the production process and improved productivity of the resultant substrate. This in turn will lead to an increased yield of high quality, nutritious fresh mushrooms. The technology will also be used to analyse the quality of the raw materials of mushroom compost, with a view to reducing the odour emissions associated with its production.