Sustainable materials – Page 3

Physicochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Analysis of Vegetal Chitosan Extracted from Distinct Forest Fungi Species

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Researchers extracted and tested chitosan from five different mushroom species as an alternative to traditional crab-derived chitosan for allergic individuals. Using various scientific techniques, they found that chitosan from lion’s mane mushroom (H. erinaceus) had the best ability to dissolve in solution and kill bacteria, making it promising for food preservation. The study shows that mushroom-based chitosan can work as well as or better than shellfish-derived chitosan while avoiding allergen risks, offering a sustainable solution for food packaging and preservation.

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

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Researchers developed a new way to make fungal mushroom mats stronger by printing biodegradable plastic patterns onto them using 3D printing technology. The resulting composite materials combined the sustainability of fungal products with improved strength, making them suitable for flexible applications like smart textiles and lightweight parts. Both tested polymers (PHBH and PLA) enhanced the mycelium’s mechanical properties, with PLA showing superior strength improvements while PHBH offered home compostability.

Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Mechanical Properties in Mycelium-Based Biocomposites

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Researchers used artificial intelligence to predict how strong mushroom-based materials would be. These eco-friendly composites are made from wood particles held together by fungal networks instead of synthetic glue. The AI model successfully learned to predict the strength of these materials based on which type of fungus was used and what wood particles they were grown on, potentially reducing the need for expensive testing.

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

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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.

Advancements in biopile-based sustainable soil remediation: a decade of improvements, integrating bioremediation technologies and AI-based innovative tools

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This review examines how biopile technology, which uses naturally occurring microorganisms to break down soil pollutants, has improved over the past decade. By optimizing conditions like moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels, and combining biopiles with sustainable materials like biochar and biosurfactants, scientists can effectively remove contaminants from soil while supporting carbon storage and ecosystem recovery. The approach offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical remediation methods.

Shifu-Inspired Fungal Paper Yarns

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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.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Scientists created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that can help heal wounds and regenerate damaged skin. These membranes are grown naturally in liquid culture and enriched with extract from mango peels to fight bacteria and promote healing. The material is completely natural, biodegradable, and performs better than many conventional wound healing materials, making it an eco-friendly option for medical applications.

Innovative chitin-glucan based material obtained from mycelium of wood decay fungal strains

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Researchers have developed a new sustainable leather-like material from fungal mycelium that could replace traditional animal leather and synthetic alternatives. By growing specific wood decay fungi in controlled fermentation systems and extracting their chitin and glucan content, they created flexible sheets with mechanical properties similar to real leather. The materials are biodegradable, require no animal farming, and avoid toxic tanning processes, making them a promising eco-friendly solution for fashion and furniture industries.

Textile residue-based mycelium biocomposites from Pleurotus ostreatus

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Researchers successfully grew oyster mushroom mycelium on textile waste to create eco-friendly biocomposites that could replace plastic packaging. The fungus naturally binds textile fibers together, creating lightweight materials with useful structural properties. This approach transforms textile waste into sustainable products while addressing plastic pollution, offering a promising solution for converting unwanted clothing and fabric scraps into useful materials.

Sustainable Extraction and Multimodal Characterization of Fungal Chitosan from Agaricus bisporus

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Researchers successfully extracted chitosan from button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) using environmentally friendly chemical processes. This fungal-derived chitosan offers a sustainable alternative to traditional sources from shellfish and avoids issues like allergies and harsh chemical pollution. The extracted material showed promising properties for medical applications including wound healing and drug delivery systems.

Research Topic: Sustainable materials