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

Summary

Researchers developed a sustainable building material by growing mushroom mycelium (fungal threads) on sewage sludge and bagasse waste. The resulting composites were lightweight, strong enough for highway construction, and environmentally friendly compared to conventional materials made from expanded polystyrene or cement. This innovation offers a promising way to reduce both construction waste and municipal sewage sludge disposal challenges.

Background

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional lightweight materials due to their low environmental footprint and biodegradability. Sewage sludge (SS) is a cellulose-rich by-product from wastewater treatment that has not previously been investigated as a substrate for MBC production, representing an opportunity for resource valorization.

Objective

This study examines the feasibility of producing MBCs using sewage sludge as a substrate combined with bagasse, cultivated with Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium. The research evaluates physico-mechanical properties, morphological characteristics, and thermal stability to determine suitability as lightweight backfill materials for highway construction.

Results

Sewage sludge promoted robust fungal growth and increased composite density and compressive strength, with the optimal SS:mycelium ratio of 2:1 achieving 690.20 kPa compressive strength. Thermal conductivity values of 0.12-0.13 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹ met highway lightweight backfill standards. Sewage sludge-based composites demonstrated superior thermal stability and residual mass retention compared to bagasse controls.

Conclusion

This first investigation of sewage sludge-based MBCs demonstrates technical feasibility for producing sustainable lightweight backfill materials suitable for highway construction. The results support further development of MBC manufacturing procedures to optimize performance while addressing environmental challenges associated with conventional lightweight backfill materials and sewage sludge disposal.
  • Published in:Materials (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40141510, DOI: 10.3390/ma18061225
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