biomaterials – mycolab.ai

The Food–Materials Nexus: Next Generation Bioplastics and Advanced Materials from Agri‐Food Residues

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This review explores how food waste and agricultural byproducts can be transformed into useful bioplastics and advanced materials. By breaking down food residues into their component building blocks—like cellulose, pectin, and proteins—scientists can create eco-friendly plastics suitable for packaging, medical devices, and electronic applications. This approach supports a circular economy where waste becomes a valuable resource rather than an environmental burden.

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.

Silk-based microparticles for the adsorption of methylene blue: formulations, characterization, adsorption study, in silico molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation

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This research demonstrates that microparticles made from silk fibroin, a protein derived from silkworm cocoons, are exceptionally effective at removing methylene blue dye from water. The silk-based particles work about 32 times better than other forms of silk and can absorb large amounts of the toxic dye. Scientists used computer simulations to understand exactly how the silk protein attracts and binds the dye molecules, providing insights for creating even better eco-friendly water treatment materials.

Patent landscape analysis for materials based on fungal mycelium: a guidance report on how to interpret the current patent situation

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This report analyzes patents protecting mycelium-based materials that could replace plastic and petroleum products in construction, packaging, and insulation. Researchers found 73 existing patents and 34 applications, mostly owned by three US companies, with concerns that overly broad patent protections may be slowing innovation in this promising sustainable materials field. The findings suggest that while mycelium materials show tremendous potential as eco-friendly alternatives, patent restrictions need better management to accelerate their development and commercialization.

Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of fungal-based composite materials using the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius

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Scientists have developed a way to 3D print objects using mushroom mycelium (the thread-like structure of fungi) mixed with seaweed-derived alginate. These lightweight, spongy printed objects are biodegradable and have properties similar to polystyrene foam, but are made from renewable resources. This breakthrough could eventually replace plastic foam in packaging and other applications with an eco-friendly fungal alternative.

Multi-Organism Composites: Combined Growth Potential of Mycelium and Bacterial Cellulose

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Scientists combined two biological materials—mycelium (fungal roots) and bacterial cellulose—to create new sustainable composites. Through a series of experiments, they found these organisms could grow together successfully when using knitted fabric as a scaffold. The main challenge was preventing mold contamination when both organisms were alive, but the resulting materials showed strong attachment and diverse functional possibilities. This research could lead to new eco-friendly materials for architecture and design.

Electrospun Membranes Loaded with Melanin Derived from Pecan Nutshell (Carya illinoinensis) Residues for Skin-Care Applications

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Researchers developed new skincare membranes by combining pecan shell waste with advanced fiber technology. These membranes harness melanin from the shells to create materials with strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties that could protect skin from aging and infections. The innovation demonstrates how agricultural waste can be transformed into valuable cosmetic products that are both effective and environmentally friendly.

Strongest untreated mycelium materials produced by Schizophyllum commune dikaryons

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Researchers found that mushroom mycelium grown from dikaryotic strains (with two nuclei) produces stronger, stiffer materials than traditional monokaryon strains used in mycelium-based products. These dikaryotic materials show tensile strength values comparable to some polymers, making them promising for creating sustainable alternatives to leather and textiles. The improved strength comes from differences in cell wall composition and lower expression of a hydrophobin gene, offering new possibilities for bio-based material development.

Fungal Strain Influences Thermal Conductivity, Hydrophobicity, Color Homogeneity, and Mold Contamination of Mycelial Composites

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Scientists tested mushroom-based materials grown on hemp for use as eco-friendly insulation. They compared nine different mushroom species to see which created the best insulation with desired properties. Some materials performed as well as or better than commercial foam insulation, and they discovered a novel way to prevent mold growth by exposing developing materials to dead mold spores.

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.

Research Keyword: biomaterials