Abstract
Mycelium-based biofoam has the potential to become an alternative to petroleum-polymeric based-foam by utilising fungal mycelium and lignocellulosic material as the matrix and substrate, respectively. The lignocellulosic materials, which were rice husk, sawdust, and sugarcane bagasse, which is crucial for the production of biofoam, were tested as a substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium growth during the screening procedure. Three growth factors were varied during mycelium-based biofoam production: incubation temperature, spawn loading, and moisture content. In this study, rice husk was the ideal substrate in the production of mycelium biofoam compared to other fungi. The inhibition of P. ostreatus mycelium growth at 30 °C incubation temperature was due to decay and contamination. On the other hand, by varying the growth factor of mycelium biofoam on rice husk, the optimum dry density of mycelium–biofoam was observed at 50% (w/w) moisture content (1.07 g/cm3), while the optimum compressive strength was observed at 40% (w/w) spawn loading (1.350 MPa). These results showed that varying the growth factor could influence the mechanical behaviour of the material. The morphology of the biofoam was also observed through a scanning electron microscope. Short and highly entangled tube-like structures and compact filaments forming a material were seen, responsible for the lightness characteristic of the material. The functional group of the biofoam was also determined using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. A new band of proteins and lipids was detected at 1633 cm−1 and 3280 cm−1 in the biofoam. It clearly shows the chemical nature of feeding substrate responsible for the changes of material spectra. Therefore, this study highlighted that the biodegradable mycelium biofoam of P. ostreatus using rice husk as a substrate is a promising alternative to polymeric foam.
Highlights
Bio-based material or bio-composite has been extensively explored since it can replace the petroleumbased polymeric foam, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane, which is used in a huge variety of shape and application in the industry (Bruscato et al, 2019; Yang et al, 2017)
Different results from different substrates probably due to the difference in chemical compositions found in each substrate, which could feed the mycelium during cultivation
Mycelium biofoam was produced by reinforcing lignocellulosic fibres combined with a commonly cultivated fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus
Summary
Bio-based material or bio-composite has been extensively explored since it can replace the petroleumbased polymeric foam, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane, which is used in a huge variety of shape and application in the industry (Bruscato et al, 2019; Yang et al, 2017). Petroleum-based polymeric foam is a non-biodegradable material, which means it will take many years to degrade if left in the environment and cause environmental pollution by releasing organic compounds such as benzene and styrene (Bruscato et al, 2019) This pollution problem creates concern and awareness among researchers and related industrial players, sparks interest in developing a sustainable material such as biofoam to replace petroleum-based polymeric foam. This material could offer a promising solution as a ‘green material’ for the environmental problem caused by rapid population growth and accompanying discard culture (Ghazvinian et al, 2019) This biomaterial has shown the potential to develop products with various applications, such as packaging, household, building materials, and a broad variety of design objects and furniture (Karana et al, 2018). Mycelium biofoam can be shredded and added to the home compost pile after being used because of its biodegradable properties
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.