solid-state fermentation

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.

Solid-state fermentation as a strategy for improvement of bioactive properties of the plant-based food resources

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This review explains how fermentation—a natural biological process—can enhance the health-promoting compounds in plant-based foods. By using specific fungi and bacteria on solid plant materials, scientists can increase beneficial antioxidants and proteins that may help prevent chronic diseases. This method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional extraction techniques, making nutritious plant foods even healthier.

Fermented Rice Bran: A Promising Therapeutic Agent Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders

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Fermented rice bran, created by fermenting rice byproduct with beneficial bacteria, shows promise in helping manage weight and blood sugar levels in studies using rats on high-fat diets. The fermentation process increases the nutritional value of rice bran by boosting protein, fiber, and antioxidant content. Animals supplemented with fermented rice bran for 8 weeks showed improved cognitive function, better liver health, and improved lipid profiles compared to those on high-fat diets alone.

Techno-economic analysis of a novel laccase production process utilizing perennial biomass and the aqueous phase of bio-oil

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Researchers developed a new method to produce laccase, a useful enzyme with many industrial applications, by growing oyster mushrooms on prairie plants and waste materials from bio-oil production. Through optimization experiments and economic modeling, they found that this process could produce laccase at prices significantly lower than current commercial enzyme products, making it economically viable at small to moderate production scales. The method has the added benefit of providing farmers with a financial incentive to grow perennial prairie plants instead of traditional crops, supporting ecological and soil health improvements.

Screening and Optimization of Solid-State Fermentation for Esteya vermicola, an Entomopathogenic Fungus Against the Major Forest Pest Pine Wood Nematode

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Scientists optimized how to grow large quantities of a beneficial fungus called Esteya vermicola in solid fermentation, which kills the pine wood nematode pest that destroys pine forests. By testing different combinations of ingredients (wheat bran, corn flour, soybean flour, glucose, yeast extract, and magnesium sulfate) and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, inoculation volume, and time), researchers increased fungal spore production more than 4-fold. These results provide a practical method for producing biopesticide products to protect pine forests from this damaging pest.

Fungus-mediated bacterial survival and migration enhance wood lignin degradation

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Researchers discovered that certain bacteria living in decaying wood can travel along fungal threads and help fungi break down tough lignin more efficiently. The bacteria consume sugar and aromatic compounds produced by the fungi, which removes substances that would otherwise slow down the fungal degradation process. This mutualistic partnership between bacteria and fungi shows how nature optimizes wood decomposition in forests, with potential applications for improving biomass conversion in industrial settings.

Potential Protein Production from Lignocellulosic Materials Using Edible Mushroom Forming Fungi

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Mushroom mycelium could be grown on agricultural and forestry waste materials to produce sustainable, protein-rich food alternatives. Unlike current meat and plant-based proteins, mushroom cultivation doesn’t require farmland and can efficiently convert wood chips, cocoa husks, and other side streams into nutritious food. With over 11,000 species yet to be explored and optimization of cultivation methods, mushroom proteins could become competitive in price and environmental impact with conventional protein sources.

Biphasic Fermentation of Trapa bispinosa Shells by Ganoderma sinense and Characterization of Its Polysaccharides and Alcoholic Extract and Analysis of Their Bioactivity

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This study investigated fermenting water chestnut shells with a medicinal mushroom called Ganoderma sinense to create a more potent health product. Under optimal fermentation conditions, the resulting material showed significantly improved immune-boosting and antioxidant properties when tested in laboratory cells. The fermentation process changed the structure of polysaccharides and increased beneficial compounds, potentially transforming agricultural waste into a valuable functional food or supplement.

Temporal characterization of biocycles of mycelium-bound composites made from bamboo and Pleurotus ostreatus for indoor usage

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Scientists created a sustainable building material by growing oyster mushroom fungus on bamboo fibers. The material was strong enough for packaging and could be composted after use to enrich soil, completing a full cycle in about 7 months. By adding a natural beeswax coating, the material lasted longer while remaining completely biodegradable. This proof-of-concept demonstrates how fungal materials could replace synthetic plastics in a circular economy.

Pigment production by a newly isolated strain Pycnoporus sanguineus SYBC-L7 in solid-state fermentation

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Researchers isolated a fungal strain that produces bright orange natural pigments through fermentation on wood chips and other agricultural waste. By optimizing growing conditions such as pH and moisture, they achieved high pigment yields with antibacterial properties. The pigments identified in this study showed effectiveness against harmful bacteria and could replace synthetic dyes in food, cosmetics, and textile products.

Research Keyword: solid-state fermentation