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Hydrophobin Gene Deletion and Environmental Growth Conditions Impact Mechanical Properties of Mycelium by Affecting the Density of the Material

Summary

This research explores how to create sustainable materials from fungal growth, similar to how mushrooms grow in nature. By modifying genes and changing growing conditions, researchers were able to create materials with different properties – some similar to wood and others more like plastics. This has important implications for developing eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides new sustainable alternatives to plastic materials • Offers biodegradable packaging solutions • Creates construction materials from agricultural waste • Reduces dependence on petroleum-based products • Advances development of customizable bio-based materials

Background

Filamentous fungi form mycelia by creating networks of hyphae that can colonize substrates. These fungal mycelia can be used as bio-based materials. The fungus Schizophyllum commune is a model organism for mushroom-forming fungi, with its cell wall containing layers of glucan, chitin, and the hydrophobin protein SC3 which affects cell wall composition and surface properties.

Objective

To assess how environmental growth conditions and deletion of the hydrophobin gene sc3 impact the material properties of Schizophyllum commune mycelium, particularly focusing on mechanical properties and water retention.

Results

The Δsc3 strain showed 1.4-3 fold higher density than wild type under all conditions. Young’s modulus and maximum tensile strength were 3-4 fold higher in Δsc3 compared to wild type, correlating with mycelium density. The Δsc3 strain retained more water with increasing temperature. Chemical composition remained similar between strains despite structural differences.

Conclusion

Both genetic modification through hydrophobin gene deletion and environmental growth conditions can significantly impact mechanical properties of fungal mycelium by affecting material density. Wild type mycelium properties were similar to natural materials like wood and cork, while Δsc3 properties were more comparable to thermoplastics.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-018-23171-2
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