# Treatment Methods for Antibiotic Mycelial Residues: A Review
## 3 Treatment Methods for AMR
### Biochemical Methods  
#### 3.2.1 Aerobic Composting  
Aerobic composite represents an established biochemical approach extensively applied for the stabilization and sanitization of organic wastes. During the aerobic composting process, organic matter undergoes gradual degradation through four distinct phases: heating, thermophilic stabilization, cooling/maturation, and humidification. This transformationultimately converts organic waste into humus-like substances, which can be utilized as organic fertilizer or soil conditioner [80; 81].  
In previous studies, aerobic composing has been recognized as an effective approach for treating AMR. This is attributed not only to its compatibility with the high organic content characteristics inherent in AMR, but also because composting, when integrated with appropriate pretreatment methods, can effectively degrade residual antibiotics within AMR systems [30; 32; 63; 82]. Molecular characterization studies utilizing fluorescence spectroscopy revealed marked transformation features during the co-composting process of penicillin mycelial residue with sewage sludge. Dynamic monitoring data demonstrated that a 99.5% penicillin degradation efficiency was achieved after 12 days of composting treatment [30]. Addressing the resource utilization of tylosin fermentation residue, [PERSON] et al. [46] proposed an integrated treatment strategy involving \"high-temperature Coupled with oxidant pretreatment\" prior to composting, followed by post-composting thermal treatment. The study demonstrated that under optimal pretreatment conditions, the tylosin concentration in AMR was reduced by 97.1%, with the tylosin content in the composted product falling below the detection limit (less than 1 mg/kg). These findings collectively demonstrate the high removal efficiency of aerobic composting technology for antibiotic contaminants.  
Although pretreatment processes can remove the majority of residual antibiotics in raw AMR under most circumstances, the increased abundance of ARGs during composting remains challenging to completely prevent due to the complex interplay of multiple influencing factors. [PERSON] et al. [83] observed a 1.17-fold increase in ARGs quantities compared to initial levels during co-composting of AMR with sewage sludge. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [54] reported a generalized upward trend of various ARGs subtypes during oxytetracycline fermentation residue composting, with maximum increases of 1548-fold for ARGs and 1449-fold for total integrins at the composting endpoint. These findings signify substantial risks associated with land application of AMR-derived compost, potentially impacting soil ecosystems and crop growth adversely. Furthermore, malodorous emissions generated during composting can deteriorate air quality and pose environmental hazards, including threats to human health and local ecological disruption [84].  
Aerobic composting offers robust efficacy for AMR treatment, intrinsically suited to high-organic waste streams by converting them into humus-like fertilizers/amendments, aligning with circular economy goals. Despite partially degrading residual antibiotics, the persistent presence of these compounds in compost products, coupled with elevated abundances of ARGs, poses significant environmental risks of soil contamination when applied to agricultural land. Consequently, future innovation should prioritize: (1) incorporating pretreatment technologies to augment antibiotic and ARG removal, and (2) developing real-time monitoring systems for dynamic control of temperature, moisture, and aeration to optimize composting efficiency and mitigate ARG dissemination.