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Experimental Assessment of Multiple Properties of Mycelium-Based Composites with Sewage Sludge and Bagasse

Summary

Researchers developed new eco-friendly building materials by growing mushroom mycelium (thread-like structures) on treated sewage sludge and bagasse (sugarcane waste). These fungal composites are lightweight yet strong enough for highway construction and offer significant environmental advantages over traditional foam and cement materials. The sewage sludge version performed particularly well, showing better strength, thermal properties, and stability than the bagasse-only version.

Background

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are emerging as sustainable lightweight materials with low environmental footprint and biodegradability. Sewage sludge (SS) is a cellulose-rich by-product from wastewater treatment that accumulates rapidly with urbanization. This study explores the feasibility of using SS as a substrate for MBC production.

Objective

To examine the feasibility of creating MBCs using sewage sludge and bagasse as nutrient substrates with Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium, and to assess the physico-mechanical properties, morphological characteristics, and thermal stability of the resulting composites.

Results

Both substrates promoted fungal growth creating dense mycelial networks by day 10. Adding sewage sludge increased density and compressive strength, with optimal SS-mycelium ratio of 2:1 achieving 690.20 kPa compressive strength. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.12-0.13 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹, meeting lightweight backfill material standards. Sewage sludge composites exhibited better thermal stability and higher residual mass compared to bagasse-based composites.

Conclusion

MBCs can be successfully produced using sewage sludge as a substrate with improved properties compared to bagasse alone. The composites satisfy requirements for lightweight backfill materials in highway construction while offering environmental benefits through waste utilization and reduced carbon emissions compared to EPS and cement alternatives.
  • Published in:Materials (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/ma18061225; PMID: 40141510
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