Biocomposites – mycolab.ai

Fungi as source for new bio-based materials: a patent review

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Researchers reviewed patents from 2009-2018 on using fungal mycelium to create eco-friendly materials. Instead of petroleum-based plastics, scientists grow fungi on agricultural waste like corn stalks and wood chips, where fungal threads bind the materials together into strong, biodegradable products. These fungal materials are being developed for packaging, car interiors, textiles, and insulation, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

From purposeless residues to biocomposites: A hyphae made connection

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Researchers developed eco-friendly packaging materials using mushroom mycelium and agricultural waste from fruit and sugar cane processing. Two native Colombian fungal species were grown on leftover fruit peels and bagasse to create lightweight, biodegradable composites. From just 50 kilograms of fruit peel waste, nearly 1,840 cups can be manufactured, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging that naturally decomposes after use.

Waste Rose Flower and Lavender Straw Biomass—An Innovative Lignocellulose Feedstock for Mycelium Bio-Materials Development Using Newly Isolated Ganoderma resinaceum GA1M

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Researchers developed eco-friendly building materials by growing mushroom mycelium (Ganoderma resinaceum) on waste residues from rose and lavender essential oil production. These waste biomasses, typically discarded or burned, were successfully converted into biocomposites with properties comparable to hempcrete and other sustainable materials. The resulting mycelium-based materials are completely natural, biodegradable, and possess antimicrobial and aromatic properties, offering a promising sustainable alternative to synthetic materials.

Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Mechanical Properties in Mycelium-Based Biocomposites

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Scientists developed an artificial intelligence model that can predict how strong and durable mushroom-based composite materials will be. These composites are made by growing mushroom mycelium (fungal threads) through wood particles and other plant materials, creating an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials. The AI model learns from physical measurements and can accurately predict mechanical properties, potentially reducing the need for extensive testing and helping design better sustainable materials.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Researchers created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that could be used for wound healing and skin repairs. These membranes were grown in laboratory conditions and then treated with mango peel extract, which gave them antimicrobial properties to fight bacteria. The membranes are biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and work similar to the structure of skin tissue, making them promising for medical applications.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Scientists created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that can help heal wounds and regenerate damaged skin. These membranes are grown naturally in liquid culture and enriched with extract from mango peels to fight bacteria and promote healing. The material is completely natural, biodegradable, and performs better than many conventional wound healing materials, making it an eco-friendly option for medical applications.

Esterase and Peroxidase Are Involved in the Transformation of Chitosan Films by the Fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. IBPPM 543

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Scientists discovered that a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum can safely modify chitosan films (a material made from shellfish shells) without breaking them apart. Instead of using destructive enzymes, the fungus produces special enzymes called esterase and peroxidase that reorganize the chitosan’s structure, making it stronger and more resistant. This discovery could lead to new medical materials, drug delivery systems, and water purification products with customized properties.

Textile residue-based mycelium biocomposites from Pleurotus ostreatus

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Researchers successfully grew oyster mushroom mycelium on textile waste to create eco-friendly biocomposites that could replace plastic packaging. The fungus naturally binds textile fibers together, creating lightweight materials with useful structural properties. This approach transforms textile waste into sustainable products while addressing plastic pollution, offering a promising solution for converting unwanted clothing and fabric scraps into useful materials.

Effect of AgNPs on PLA-Based Biocomposites with Polysaccharides: Biodegradability, Antibacterial Activity and Features

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Scientists created new eco-friendly plastic films made from corn-based PLA combined with natural starches and tiny silver particles. These films can break down in soil while also killing harmful bacteria, making them ideal for food packaging. The materials maintained good antibacterial properties even as they slowly degraded in the environment, showing promise as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Radiation protection and structural stability of fungal melanin polylactic acid biocomposites in low Earth orbit

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Scientists tested special materials made with fungal melanin and plastic in space to see if they could protect against radiation. After 6 months on the International Space Station, materials containing fungal melanin showed better resistance to damage than regular plastic. These bio-based materials could help protect astronauts and equipment during long space missions while being more sustainable than traditional synthetic materials.

Research Keyword: Biocomposites