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Turning the Cocopith Waste into Myceliated Biocomposite to Make an Insulator

Summary

Researchers developed an environmentally-friendly insulation material by growing mushroom mycelium (Ganoderma lucidum) on cocopith, a waste product from coconut fiber processing. The resulting biocomposite has thermal insulation properties comparable to commercial insulators like Styrofoam and polyurethane, but is completely biodegradable and made from agricultural waste. This innovation addresses waste management problems while creating a sustainable material for thermal insulation in buildings, food processing, and industrial equipment.

Background

Cocopith is the main waste product from coconut coir milling industries, particularly in Indonesia, the world’s largest coconut producer. This waste is typically burned or left in landfills, causing environmental pollution including air quality issues and water contamination. Proper treatment and valorization of cocopith waste could provide economic value while addressing environmental concerns.

Objective

This study aims to examine the material characteristics of cocopith waste and evaluate whether a mycelium-based biocomposite derived from cocopith can serve as an effective thermal insulator. The research seeks to transform agricultural waste into a sustainable, environmentally-friendly insulation material using fungal colonization.

Results

Chemical analysis revealed sulfur (24,000 mg/kg) and chlorine (10,371 mg/kg) as the highest chemical elements in cocopith. Lignin content (22.7%) exceeded cellulose content (10.27%). Optimal mycelium growth occurred at 50% cocopith and 27% wood powder composition with 87.71% fungal colonization. The resulting biocomposite exhibited maximum flexural stress of 7.67-7.99 MPa and thermal conductivity of 0.0887241 ± 0.002964 W/mK, within the recommended insulator range of 0.01-1.00 W/mK.

Conclusion

Cocopith-based myceliated biocomposite demonstrates viable potential as a thermal insulator with thermal conductivity comparable to or better than conventional insulators like polyurethane and Styrofoam. The composite exhibits excellent mechanical properties, environmental sustainability, and biodegradability. This waste valorization approach embodies circular economy principles and offers economic and environmental benefits for applications in food, housing, electrical, and machinery industries.
  • Published in:International Journal of Biomaterials,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 34113382, DOI: 10.1155/2021/6630657
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