Mycelium brick preparation using cultivated oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus - A boon for sustainable environment

Abstract

Nowadays, the cost for housing construction has reached due to increase in the cost of raw materials of which bricks constitute of 5–10% of total cost. As an alternative, Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated using paddy straw can be utilized for the preparation of mycelium bricks. Mycelium bricks are organic bricks synthesized from organic wastes and fungal mycelia including cultivated mushrooms and/or mushroom spawn. Mycelia are thin root like fibers from fungi which run underneath the ground. The compatibility of the synthesized mycelium bricks was determined by carrying out tests such as compressive strength test, water absorption test and drop test. It was observed that, when dried mycelium bricks can be used as a super strong (withstand drop test upto 3 feet above the ground level), water, mould and fire-resistant building material grown into specific forms thereby reducing the process requirements. Therefore, it can be considered as a novel construct which alleviates the problems arising during construction such as poor-quality raw materials, reduced strength, low water absorption capacity and decreased shelf life due to increase in the internal as well as external cracking and so can serve as a suitable next generation alternative for construction.