Wood-Decaying Fungi: From Timber Degradation to Sustainable Insulating Biomaterials Production

Abstract

Addressing the impacts of climate change and global warming has become an urgent priority for the planet’s well-being. In recent decades the great potential of fungal-based products with characteristics equal to, or even outperforming, classic petroleum-derived products has been acknowledged. These new materials present the added advantage of having a reduced carbon footprint, less environmental impact and contributing to the shift away from a fossil-based economy. This study focused on the production of insulation panels using fungal mycelium and lignocellulosic materials as substrates. The process was optimized, starting with the selection of Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, Ganoderma carnosum and Fomitopsis pinicola isolates, followed by the evaluation of three grain spawn substrates (millet, wheat and a 1:1 mix of millet and wheat grains) for mycelium propagation, and finishing with the production of various mycelium-based composites using five wood by-products and waste materials (pine sawdust, oak shavings, tree of heaven wood chips, wheat straw and shredded beech wood). The obtained biomaterials were characterized for internal structure by X-ray micro-CT, thermal transmittance using a thermoflowmeter and moisture absorption. The results showed that using a wheat and millet 1:1 (w/w) mix is the best option for spawn production regardless of the fungal isolate. In addition, the performance of the final composites was influenced both by the fungal isolate and the substrate used, with the latter having a stronger effect on the measured properties. The study shows that the most promising sustainable insulating biomaterial was created using T. versicolor grown on wheat straw.

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

“…Commonly, the volumetric swelling of MBCs is directly correlated with the water absorption capability of the material, which leads to changes in volume and dimensions [ 38 ]. Thus, the outcomes of this investigation are consistent with those of a prior study, which indicated that the volumetric swelling of MBC materials ranged between 0.28 and 21% [ 38 , 62 , 64 ].…”

Sustainable Innovation: Fabrication and Characterization of Mycelium-Based Green Composites for Modern Interior Materials Using Agro-Industrial Wastes and Different Species of Fungi

“…This study attributed the increased swelling to the material's heightened ability to absorb water, aligning with several previous research projects [22,29,54]. Importantly, the volumetric swelling of MBCs in this study was within the range reported in earlier studies (0.28 to 21%), with the extent of swelling varying according to the MBCs distinct water absorption capabilities [22,29,55].…”

“…This study attributed the increased swelling to the material's heightened ability to absorb water, aligning with several previous research projects [22,29,54]. Importantly, the volumetric swelling of MBCs in this study was within the range reported in earlier studies (0.28 to 21%), with the extent of swelling varying according to the MBCs distinct water absorption capabilities [22,29,55]. The water absorption ability (104.89-244.08%) of the MBCs in this study fell within the ranges reported in previous studies (24.45-560%) when submerged in water over 24-192 h [16,23,24,39,44].…”

“…– is not reported, < is less than, and NB is non-biodegradable during 30 years. * [ 19 , 22 , 24 , 29 , 42 , 55 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 68 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 83 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 ].…”

“…-is not reported, < is less than, and NB is non-biodegradable during 30 years. *[19,22,24,29,42,55,[58][59][60][61]68,[75][76][77]83,.…”