MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Growth Characteristics of Polyporales Mushrooms for the Mycelial Mat Formation

Summary

Researchers tested 64 types of mushroom strains to find which grows the strongest mycelial mats for making eco-friendly materials to replace plastic and other fossil fuel products. They discovered that Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom, produces especially thick and strong mycelium that can be grown at large scales. By using the right nutrients like glycerol and skim milk, they were able to grow large sheets of mushroom material that could potentially be used for packaging, furniture, and other products instead of traditional plastics.

Background

Fossil fuel depletion and environmental concerns have driven research into eco-friendly alternatives, particularly using fungal mycelia for biocomposite materials. Polyporales mushrooms have shown potential for forming dense mycelial networks with strong physical properties. The unique ligninolytic capabilities of agaricomycetes make them valuable for sustainable material production.

Objective

To screen 64 strains of Polyporales mushrooms for growth characteristics and mycelial mat formation capability suitable for industrial applications as alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials. The study aimed to identify the best candidate strain and optimize its culture conditions.

Results

Ganoderma lucidum LBS5496GL was identified as the best candidate, showing fast mycelial growth and superior physical strength with thick hyphae (13 µm diameter) compared to other strains (less than 2 µm). Glycerol and skim milk were optimal carbon and nitrogen sources respectively, with maximum growth at 60 g/L skim milk concentration. A successful scale-up experiment produced a mycelial mat measuring 24 × 18 × 0.6 cm.

Conclusion

G. lucidum LBS5496GL demonstrates exceptional potential for industrial biocomposite material production due to its superior mechanical strength and growth characteristics. Optimized culture conditions enable large-scale mycelial mat production, supporting future commercial applications in sustainable packaging, coatings, and composite materials as fossil fuel alternatives.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 34290552, DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2021.1911401
Scroll to Top