MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Quantification of fungal biomass in mycelium composites made from diverse biogenic side streams

Summary

Scientists have developed a new method to measure how much fungal material is actually in mushroom-based composites, which are sustainable alternatives to plastics. By extracting and analyzing fungal DNA, they found that different mushroom species require different amounts of fungal growth to create stable materials, and the type of waste material used also matters significantly. This research helps manufacturers optimize production of these eco-friendly composites while also showing that various agricultural and industrial waste streams can be successfully converted into useful materials.

Background

Mycelium composite materials are sustainable biomaterials made from renewable organic substrates interconnected by fungal mycelium. However, the proportion of fungal biomass in these composites has not been adequately studied, making it difficult to assess how much the mycelium contributes to the material’s properties.

Objective

To develop and apply a quantitative PCR-based method to quantify fungal biomass in mycelium composites and evaluate how fungal biomass relates to composite stability across 20 different fungus-substrate combinations.

Results

Ganoderma sessile formed stable composites with most substrates and showed positive correlation between mycelial biomass and stability. Mycelium requirements varied significantly by species and substrate: as little as 5 mass percent with Trametes versicolor on sugar beet pulp achieved stability, while 20 percent of Pleurotus pulmonarius on green waste remained crumbly. The quantification method proved effective in distinguishing mycelial biomass from substrate.

Conclusion

The qPCR-based quantification method provides reliable assessment of fungal biomass in mycelium composites. Fungal species, substrate properties, and their combination are all critical factors for material stability, and this quantification approach can improve understanding of mycelium’s contribution to composite characteristics and optimize production.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1186/s40694-024-00189-y, PMID: 39558429
Scroll to Top