# Pleurotus ostreatus for Environmental Remediation and Sustainable Bioprocesses: An Evidence-Mapped Review of Research Gaps and Opportunities

## TL;DR

This review explores how the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus can help clean up the environment and create sustainable processes, while highlighting areas needing more research.

## Contribution

The paper provides an evidence-mapped review and bibliometric analysis to identify research gaps and opportunities for P. ostreatus in environmental remediation.

## Key findings

- Pleurotus ostreatus shows promise in degrading pollutants and converting waste into valuable products.
- Research gaps include standardization, scalability, and assessing long-term environmental and health impacts.
- The study proposes a practical agenda for advancing field-scale applications and data sharing.

## Abstract

Fungi have emerged as versatile biotechnological platforms for addressing environmental challenges with potential co-benefits for human health. Among them, Pleurotus ostreatus stands out for its ligninolytic enzyme systems (notably laccases), capacity to valorize lignocellulosic residues, and ability to form functional mycelial materials. We conducted an evidence-mapped review, based on a bibliometric analysis of the Scopus corpus (2001–2025; 2085 records), to characterize research fronts and practical opportunities in environmental remediation and sustainable bioprocesses involving P. ostreatus. The mapped literature shows sustained growth and global engagement, with prominent themes in: (a) oxidative transformation of phenolic compounds, dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; (b) biodegradation/bioconversion of agro-industrial residues into value-added products; and (c) development of bio-based materials and processes aligned with the circular bioeconomy. We synthesize how these strands translate to real-world contexts, reducing contaminant loads, closing nutrient loops, and enabling low-cost processes that may indirectly reduce exposure-related risks. Key translational gaps persist: standardization of environmental endpoints, scale-up from laboratory to field, performance in complex matrices, life-cycle impacts and cost, ecotoxicological safety, and long-term monitoring. A practical agenda was proposed that prioritizes field-scale demonstrations with harmonized protocols, integration of life-cycle assessment and cost metrics, data sharing, and One Health frameworks linking environmental gains with plausible health co-benefits. In conclusion, P. ostreatus is a tractable platform organism for sustainable remediation and bio-manufacturing. This evidence map clarifies where the field is mature and where focused effort can accelerate the impact of future research.