sustainability – mycolab.ai

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Effect of physiochemical parameters on yield and biological efficiency of Volvariella volvacea cultivated on empty fruit bunch pellets

mycolabadmin

This study explored ways to improve the farming of straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea) using empty fruit bunch pellets from palm oil production. Researchers tested different substrate weights, growing areas, and nutrient mixtures to find the best recipe for high mushroom yields. The best results came from adding black soil to the substrate, achieving a biological efficiency of 17.75%, which could help farmers grow more mushrooms profitably while reducing agricultural waste.

Novel Alginate-, Cellulose- and Starch-Based Membrane Materials for the Separation of Synthetic Dyes and Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions and Suspensions—A Review

mycolabadmin

This review examines new types of environmentally-friendly membranes made from natural plant materials like alginate and cellulose that can effectively remove harmful dyes and heavy metals from polluted water. These sustainable membranes can reject over 95% of contaminants while producing minimal waste, offering a greener alternative to traditional synthetic membrane technology. The materials are biodegradable and can be reused multiple times, making them economically and environmentally advantageous for water treatment applications.

Advances and Challenges in Smart Packaging Technologies for the Food Industry: Trends, Applications, and Sustainability Considerations

mycolabadmin

Smart food packaging is evolving from simple containers into intelligent systems that actively protect food and communicate its freshness to consumers. These packages use special materials, embedded sensors, and smart labels to monitor temperature, detect spoilage early, and provide real-time tracking information. While these technologies promise fresher food, longer shelf life, and reduced waste, they face challenges including cost, environmental impact, and privacy concerns that need to be addressed for widespread adoption.

The hidden drivers: Unraveling the impact of density, moisture, and scale on Hermetia illucens rearing

mycolabadmin

This study investigates how to optimally rear black soldier fly larvae using leftover mushroom growing material as feed. Researchers tested different moisture levels, densities of larvae, and production scales to find the best conditions for growing high-quality larvae efficiently. The findings show that using 75% moisture with about 250 larvae per container produces the best results, though larger-scale production requires different adjustments than small laboratory experiments.

Sustainability in Cosmetic Dermatology: Moving Toward an Ecologically Responsible Future

mycolabadmin

Cosmetic dermatology clinics and companies are adopting more environmentally responsible practices to reduce their impact on the planet. This includes switching to biodegradable ingredients, using renewable energy, implementing waste reduction through refillable packaging, and using AI to optimize operations. The industry is also embracing ethical sourcing of ingredients and transparent supply chains through technologies like blockchain to verify sustainability claims and reduce misleading environmental marketing.

Efficient conversion of tea residue nutrients: Screening and proliferation of edible fungi

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed an environmentally friendly method to convert tea waste into nutritious fungal protein using edible mushrooms. By testing six different fungal species, they found that Monascus kaoliang B6 was most efficient at breaking down the complex fiber structures in tea residue and converting them into fungal biomass. This sustainable process eliminates the need for chemical treatments and harsh conditions, turning agricultural waste into valuable food ingredients.

Using spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as a casing boosted bacterial activity and enhanced the mineral profile of the Calocybe indica

mycolabadmin

Researchers tested using leftover mushroom material (spent mushroom substrate) as a growing medium for milky mushrooms instead of traditional loamy soil. While traditional soil produced more mushrooms overall, the mushrooms grown in the recycled substrate contained significantly higher levels of beneficial minerals like zinc, copper, and phosphorus. The study found that beneficial bacteria in the recycled material helped make nutrients more available to the mushrooms, making this approach both environmentally friendly and nutritionally advantageous.

The value of microbial bioreactors to meet challenges in the circular bioeconomy

mycolabadmin

Scientists are using specially designed containers called bioreactors to grow helpful microorganisms and mushrooms that can solve environmental and health problems. These bioreactors can produce medicines like natural diabetes treatments from mushrooms, create eco-friendly plastics, clean up polluted water, and turn waste products into valuable materials. This approach is sustainable, safe, and scalable, supporting the United Nations’ goals for a healthier planet.

A Comprehensive Review on Studying and Developing Guidelines to Standardize the Inspection of Properties and Production Methods for Mycelium-Bound Composites in Bio-Based Building Material Applications

mycolabadmin

This review examines mycelium-based composites, which are innovative building materials made from fungal networks grown on agricultural waste. These eco-friendly materials are biodegradable and use less energy to produce than traditional construction materials. The authors analyze current testing methods and propose standardized production guidelines to ensure consistent quality, helping make these sustainable materials more reliable for widespread use in buildings and construction.

Research Keyword: sustainability