Research Keyword: fungal biomass

Exploring the Potential of Fungal Biomass for Bisphenol A Removal in Aquatic Environments

Researchers discovered that mushroom fruiting bodies can effectively remove bisphenol A (BPA), a harmful plastic component, from water. Five mushroom species were particularly efficient, removing between 72-82% of BPA from solutions. The mushroom biomass works best at room temperature and neutral pH, can be reused multiple times after treatment with ethanol, and could potentially clean enormous volumes of contaminated water using small amounts of material.

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Engineering Strategies for Fungal Cell Disruption in Biotechnological Applications

Fungal cells have tough, protective walls that make it difficult to extract valuable products like proteins, oils, and medicines. This review examines different techniques—from physical methods like grinding with beads to chemical and enzyme-based approaches—to break open fungal cells efficiently. By understanding which method works best for different types of fungi and desired products, researchers can develop better, more sustainable ways to use fungi in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, food products, and other valuable compounds.

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

Researchers developed a new method to measure how much fungal growth occurs in mycelium-based composite materials, which are sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging and insulation. By analyzing fungal DNA, they tested 20 different combinations of three mushroom species with various waste materials from agriculture and food production. The results show that the amount of fungal growth needed for stable, usable materials varies significantly depending on which mushroom species is used and what waste material serves as the base.

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Shifu-Inspired Fungal Paper Yarns

Scientists have developed a new method to turn mushroom material into yarn using an ancient Japanese papermaking technique called Shifu. By processing white button mushrooms and rolling the resulting sheets into thread, researchers created yarns with strength comparable to cotton and commercial paper yarns. This innovation opens possibilities for using fungal material in clothing, carpets, and furniture, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers.

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Burst agitation rate promotes sustained semicontinuous cultivation of filamentous fungi in stirred tank reactors

Scientists improved the way shiitake mushrooms are grown in fermentation tanks by using a smart agitation strategy. Instead of constant stirring, they used periodic bursts of high-speed mixing to prevent clumping while maintaining healthy fungal growth. This approach increased the amount of usable biomass produced and allowed the fermentation to run longer without interruption, making mushroom cultivation more efficient and sustainable.

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Optimization of triterpenoids biosynthesis in Athelia termitophila as a source of natural products

Researchers optimized growing conditions for a fungus found in termite nests to dramatically increase production of triterpenoids, naturally-occurring compounds with potent health benefits. Using statistical methods to test different nutrients and conditions, they nearly doubled triterpenoid production and mycelial biomass. These findings could make triterpenoid-based medicines and supplements more affordable and widely available by improving natural production methods.

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

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.

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Genetic Ablation of the Conidiogenesis Regulator Enhances Mycoprotein Production

Scientists created a genetically modified version of the Quorn fungus (Fusarium venenatum) by removing a gene that controls spore production. This modification caused the fungus to grow faster and produce more biomass while also containing higher levels of amino acids. When combined with another genetic modification, the fungus produced 22% more biomass than normal, which could significantly reduce costs for mycoprotein production used in meat alternative products.

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Influence of Pleurotus sapidus fruiting bodies on the performance, cecal microbiome, and gene expression in the liver and breast muscle of broilers

Researchers tested whether edible mushroom fruiting bodies could be used as animal feed for chickens. They found that chickens fed diets containing oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sapidus) had reduced growth and lower nutrient absorption compared to control chickens. While mushroom-based feed appeared to increase beneficial gut bacteria diversity, it ultimately impaired overall chicken performance, suggesting mushroom fruiting bodies are not suitable as a primary feed component for commercial poultry production.

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