Research Keyword: Lignocellulosic substrates

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

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.

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Comparative Evaluation of Mechanical and Physical Properties of Mycelium Composite Boards Made from Lentinus sajor-caju with Various Ratios of Corn Husk and Sawdust

Researchers developed biodegradable composite boards using mushroom mycelium (Lentinus sajor-caju) grown on agricultural waste like corn husks and sawdust. By adjusting the ratio of these materials and board thickness, they created boards with properties comparable to commercial softboards and acoustic panels. These eco-friendly boards could replace synthetic materials in construction and furniture, reducing waste and pollution while maintaining good mechanical strength and sound absorption properties.

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Mushroom By-Products as a Source of Growth Stimulation and Biochemical Composition Added-Value of Pleurotus ostreatus, Cyclocybe cylindracea, and Lentinula edodes

Researchers discovered that leftover mushroom materials from commercial cultivation can be recycled to boost the growth of edible mushroom mycelium. When mushroom waste extracts were added to growing media, they enhanced mycelial growth by up to 89.5% and increased beneficial compounds like chitin and proteins. This finding suggests a promising way to reduce mushroom farming waste while simultaneously improving the nutritional quality of cultivated mushrooms.

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Improving the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mycelium-Based Green Composites Using Paper Waste

Researchers created environmentally friendly materials called mycelium-based composites by growing mushroom mycelia on agricultural waste like corn husks mixed with recycled paper waste. When they added 20% paper waste to corn husk composites, the materials became stronger and more durable, making them suitable for packaging and decorative items. This approach cleverly recycles paper waste while creating sustainable alternatives to plastic-based materials.

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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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Effects of Environmental and Nutritional Conditions on Mycelium Growth of Three Basidiomycota

Researchers tested how three types of edible and medicinal mushroom fungi grow on different substrate mixtures to develop better biodegradable materials for packaging and insulation. They found that substrates rich in cotton fibers combined with specific carbon dioxide levels produced the fastest and densest fungal growth. These findings help optimize the production of eco-friendly mushroom-based materials that could replace plastic and foam products while being fully compostable.

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

Scientists developed a new method to measure how much fungus is in mycelium-based composite materials by analyzing fungal DNA. They tested three types of fungus with eight different agricultural waste materials to see which combinations made the strongest composites. The results show that the amount of fungus needed and the resulting material quality depends on both which fungus is used and which waste material is chosen, with some combinations needing as little as 5% fungus while others required much more.

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