초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P> <I>Gymnopilus pampeanus</I> (<I>GP</I>) is a mushroom consumed in Argentina. Spent <I>Populus</I> sawdust (SPS) obtained from the cultivation of <I>GP</I> was used to test methane production. The effect of two substrate/inoculums (S/I) ratios was analysed. Three treatments were carried out, T1: 80% SPS+20% I, T2: 40% SPS+60% I and T3: 40% PS (<I>Populus</I> sawdust) + 60% I. After 105days the cumulative biogas production resulted in 201.2 and 147.8mL/g VS for T2 and T1 respectively. Methane production increased 62.2% when S/I decreased 83.3% (112.9 and 71.7mL/g VS for T1 and T2 respectively) while for treatments which used the same percentage of inoculums (60%) the fungal action on the sawdust improved methane production in 970%. Regarding the kinetics of methane production, Gompertz equation demonstrated a good performance of the adjustment of experimental data (R<SUP>2</SUP> >0.98) and the values of the kinetic parameters indicated that SPS structure showed better accessibility than PS to the methanogenic system. The long time of adaptation (32.2 days) and the low methane production rate (1.7mL/g VS d) observed in SPS, revealed that the methane production is still not enough for energy purposes.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> <I>Gymnopilus pampeanus</I> (<I>GP</I>) demonstrated ability to improve the biodegradation of <I>Populus</I> sawdust (<I>PS</I>) <I>by</I> increasing methane production in 970%. </LI> <LI> Spent PS produced higher methane and biogas productions than PS. </LI> <LI> Lower substrate/inoculum ratios increased volatile solid removal and methane production. </LI> <LI> Gompertz equation adjusted adequately experimental data of methane production. </LI> <LI> The final value of methane potential resulted still low for energy recovery. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>