Mycelium – 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.

BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork

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Researchers developed a new type of injectable mycelium paste combined with knitted fabric formwork to create lightweight, sustainable building materials. The BioKnit prototype demonstrates that this approach can produce large, complex structures like an arched dome using fungal material instead of traditional construction materials. The textile framework dramatically strengthens the mycelium composite while keeping the material environmentally friendly and relatively easy to produce.

Functional Components from the Liquid Fermentation of Edible and Medicinal Fungi and Their Food Applications in China

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Mushroom mycelium grown in liquid fermentation produces many beneficial compounds like polysaccharides and proteins that support immune function and may help fight cancer and oxidative stress. These fermented mushroom products can be added to foods, beverages, and health supplements to boost their nutritional value and health benefits. Studies show that fermented mushroom mycelium sometimes contains higher levels of beneficial compounds compared to whole mushroom fruiting bodies, making it a promising ingredient for functional foods and health products.

Effect of Culture Media on the Yield and Protein Content of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) Kumm Mycelia

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This research optimized how to grow oyster mushroom mycelium in laboratory conditions to produce high-protein food ingredients. The scientists tested different nutrient sources, sugar types, and pH levels to find the best growing conditions. They discovered that adding urea and using amaranth flour as a base nearly doubled the protein content, making oyster mushroom mycelium a promising sustainable alternative to animal proteins.

Sustainable Pultruded Sandwich Profiles with Mycelium Core

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Researchers developed a new eco-friendly material using mycelium (fungal networks) as the core in lightweight composite structures used for manufacturing. This mycelium-based approach offers a sustainable alternative to traditional foam and wood cores, with comparable mechanical performance. The manufacturing process produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions when using electric heating instead of oil heating, making it a promising option for industries seeking environmentally responsible materials.

Biobased Materials from Microbial Biomass and Its Derivatives

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This review explores how scientists are creating environmentally friendly materials using microorganisms like yeast, fungi, and bacteria instead of petroleum. These microbial-based materials can form flexible films suitable for food packaging and other applications. They are biodegradable, renewable, and can even be made from waste products generated by brewing and other industries. This approach offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution while supporting a circular economy.

Mycelium: A Nutrient-Dense Food To Help Address World Hunger, Promote Health, and Support a Regenerative Food System

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Mycelium, the thread-like root structure of fungi, could help solve world hunger by providing nutritious, sustainable protein in just days. Unlike meat production which takes months to years, mycelium grows rapidly using minimal water and produces far less greenhouse gas. Early research suggests it may help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar control while supporting a healthier planet.

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.

Turning the Cocopith Waste into Myceliated Biocomposite to Make an Insulator

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Researchers developed an environmentally-friendly insulation material by growing mushroom mycelium (Ganoderma lucidum) on cocopith, a waste product from coconut fiber processing. The resulting biocomposite has thermal insulation properties comparable to commercial insulators like Styrofoam and polyurethane, but is completely biodegradable and made from agricultural waste. This innovation addresses waste management problems while creating a sustainable material for thermal insulation in buildings, food processing, and industrial equipment.

Research Keyword: Mycelium