Characterization of Novel Biopolymer Blend Mycocel from Plant Cellulose and Fungal Fibers.

Ilze Irbe,Inese Filipova,Marite Skute,Anna Zajakina,Talis Juhna,Karina Spunde

doi:10.3390/polym13071086

Abstract

In this study unique blended biopolymer mycocel from naturally derived biomass was developed. Softwood Kraft (KF) or hemp (HF) cellulose fibers were mixed with fungal fibers (FF) in different ratios and the obtained materials were characterized regarding microstructure, air permeability, mechanical properties, and virus filtration efficiency. The fibers from screened Basidiomycota fungi Ganoderma applanatum (Ga), Fomes fomentarius (Ff), Agaricus bisporus (Ab), and Trametes versicolor (Tv) were applicable for blending with cellulose fibers. Fungi with trimitic hyphal system (Ga, Ff) in combinations with KF formed a microporous membrane with increased air permeability (>8820 mL/min) and limited mechanical strength (tensile index 9–14 Nm/g). HF combination with trimitic fungal hyphae formed a dense fibrillary net with low air permeability (77–115 mL/min) and higher strength 31–36 Nm/g. The hyphal bundles of monomitic fibers of Tv mycelium and Ab stipes made a tight structure with KF with increased strength (26–43 Nm/g) and limited air permeability (14–1630 mL/min). The blends KF FF (Ga) and KF FF (Tv) revealed relatively high virus filtration capacity: the log10 virus titer reduction values (LRV) corresponded to 4.54 LRV and 2.12 LRV, respectively. Mycocel biopolymers are biodegradable and have potential to be used in water microfiltration, food packaging, and virus filtration membranes.

Highlights

The importance of biobased polymers is well known, and much research and development activities concern the use of biobased polymers in science, engineering, and industry.Biopolymers from renewable resources are used in multiple fields, namely health, food, energy, and the environment, due to their intrinsic features, versatility, biocompatibility, and degradability
fungal fibers (FF) were successfully separated from the biomass of fungi G. applanatum, F. fomentarius, A. bisporus, and T. versicolor and integrated in biopolymer compositions with softwood and hemp cellulose fibers
Our results showed that the trimitic hyphal system of fungi G. applanatum (Ga) and Ff did not favor an improvement of mechanical properties of mycocel compositions

Summary

Introduction

The importance of biobased polymers is well known, and much research and development activities concern the use of biobased polymers in science, engineering, and industry.Biopolymers from renewable resources are used in multiple fields, namely health, food, energy, and the environment, due to their intrinsic features, versatility, biocompatibility, and degradability. The importance of biobased polymers is well known, and much research and development activities concern the use of biobased polymers in science, engineering, and industry. The widespread use of biopolymers addresses concerns about environmental sustainability [1]. The first and second class polymers are biodegradable, they allow for more efficient production, which can produce desired functionalities and physical properties, but chemical structure designs have limited flexibility. The third class polymers such as bio-polyolefins and bio-PET are not biodegradable and the only contribution for reducing environmental impact comes from reducing the carbon footprint. The origin of a polymer does not determine its biodegradability; this condition depends on the chemical structure of the polymer [3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion