1
|
Derme T, Schwarze FWMR, Dillenburger B. Understanding the Role of Controlled Environments for Producing Mycelium-bound Composites: Advancing Circular Practices for Integrating Biotechnology into the Construction Industry. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2024; 8:2300197. [PMID: 39006056 PMCID: PMC11237183 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202300197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is undergoing a significant shift, steering buildings away from resource-intensive processes toward becoming instruments for climate mitigation. In this transformative landscape, integrating circular bio-based alternatives and reducing emissions through biotechnological and enzymatic processes have significant potential. Specifically, mycelium-bound composites have emerged as renewable alternatives for new materials and added-value wood products. Despite their numerous advantages, integrating these materials into current engineering practices presents challenges deriving from the complex nature of the material´s production process and the transfer from the laboratory to the industrial scale. In this regard, the design and engineering of novel controlled environments are fundamental in maintaining optimal growth conditions during material production. This, in turn, influences the overall material performance and potential use in construction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Derme
- ETH ZurichITA‐Institut für Technologie in der ArchitekturStefano‐Franscini Platz 1ZurichCH‐8093Switzerland
| | | | - Benjamin Dillenburger
- ETH ZurichITA‐Institut für Technologie in der ArchitekturStefano‐Franscini Platz 1ZurichCH‐8093Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aiduang W, Jatuwong K, Luangharn T, Jinanukul P, Thamjaree W, Teeraphantuvat T, Waroonkun T, Lumyong S. A Review Delving into the Factors Influencing Mycelium-Based Green Composites (MBCs) Production and Their Properties for Long-Term Sustainability Targets. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:337. [PMID: 38921217 PMCID: PMC11202202 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9060337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycelium-based green composites (MBCs) represent an eco-friendly material innovation with vast potential across diverse applications. This paper provides a thorough review of the factors influencing the production and properties of MBCs, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term sustainability goals. It delves into critical aspects such as fungal species selection, substrate type selection, substrate preparation, optimal conditions, dehydrating methods, post-processing techniques, mold design, sterilization processes, cost comparison, key recommendations, and other necessary factors. Regarding fungal species selection, the paper highlights the significance of considering factors like mycelium species, decay type, hyphal network systems, growth rate, and bonding properties in ensuring the safety and suitability of MBCs fabrication. Substrate type selection is discussed, emphasizing the importance of chemical characteristics such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin content, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and the C: N ratio in determining mycelium growth and MBC properties. Substrate preparation methods, optimal growth conditions, and post-processing techniques are thoroughly examined, along with their impacts on MBCs quality and performance. Moreover, the paper discusses the importance of designing molds and implementing effective sterilization processes to ensure clean environments for mycelium growth. It also evaluates the costs associated with MBCs production compared to traditional materials, highlighting potential cost savings and economic advantages. Additionally, the paper provides key recommendations and precautions for improving MBC properties, including addressing fungal strain degeneration, encouraging research collaboration, establishing biosecurity protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, optimizing storage conditions, implementing waste management practices, conducting life cycle assessments, and suggesting parameters for desirable MBC properties. Overall, this review offers valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing MBCs production and provides guidance for optimizing processes to achieve sustainable, high-quality composites for diverse applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Worawoot Aiduang
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (W.A.); (K.J.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Kritsana Jatuwong
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (W.A.); (K.J.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Thatsanee Luangharn
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand;
| | - Praween Jinanukul
- Faculty of Architecture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.J.); (T.W.)
| | - Wandee Thamjaree
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | | | - Tanut Waroonkun
- Faculty of Architecture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.J.); (T.W.)
| | - Saisamorn Lumyong
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Leal-Alves C, Deng Z, Kermeci N, Shih SCC. Integrating microfluidics and synthetic biology: advancements and diverse applications across organisms. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2834-2860. [PMID: 38712893 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01090b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the design and modification of biological systems for specific functions, integrating several disciplines like engineering, genetics, and computer science. The field of synthetic biology is to understand biological processes within host organisms through the manipulation and regulation of their genetic pathways and the addition of biocontrol circuits to enhance their production capabilities. This pursuit serves to address global challenges spanning diverse domains that are difficult to tackle through conventional routes of production. Despite its impact, achieving precise, dynamic, and high-throughput manipulation of biological processes is still challenging. Microfluidics offers a solution to those challenges, enabling controlled fluid handling at the microscale, offering lower reagent consumption, faster analysis of biochemical reactions, automation, and high throughput screening. In this review, we diverge from conventional focus on automating the synthetic biology design-build-test-learn cycle, and instead, focus on microfluidic platforms and their role in advancing synthetic biology through its integration with host organisms - bacterial cells, yeast, fungi, animal cells - and cell-free systems. The review illustrates how microfluidic devices have been instrumental in understanding biological systems by showcasing microfluidics as an essential tool to create synthetic genetic circuits, pathways, and organisms within controlled environments. In conclusion, we show how microfluidics expedite synthetic biology applications across diverse domains including but not limited to personalized medicine, bioenergy, and agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Leal-Alves
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W, Montréal, QC, H3G1M8 Canada
| | - Zhiyang Deng
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W, Montréal, QC, H3G1M8 Canada
| | - Natalia Kermeci
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada
| | - Steve C C Shih
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W, Montréal, QC, H3G1M8 Canada
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shen SC, Lee NA, Lockett WJ, Acuil AD, Gazdus HB, Spitzer BN, Buehler MJ. Robust myco-composites: a biocomposite platform for versatile hybrid-living materials. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:1689-1703. [PMID: 38315077 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01277h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Fungal mycelium, a living network of filamentous threads, thrives on lignocellulosic waste and exhibits rapid growth, hydrophobicity, and intrinsic regeneration, offering a potential means to create next-generation sustainable and functional composites. However, existing hybrid-living mycelium composites (myco-composites) are tremendously constrained by conventional mold-based manufacturing processes, which are only compatible with simple geometries and coarse biomass substrates that enable gas exchange. Here we introduce a class of structural myco-composites manufactured with a novel platform that harnesses high-resolution biocomposite additive manufacturing and robust mycelium colonization with indirect inoculation. We leverage principles of hierarchical composite design and selective nutritional provision to create a robust myco-composite that is scalable, tunable, and compatible with complex geometries. To illustrate the versatility of this platform, we characterize the impact of mycelium colonization on mechanical and surface properties of the composite. We found that our method yields the strongest mycelium composite reported to date with a modulus of 160 MPa and tensile strength of 0.72 MPa, which represents over a 15-fold improvement over typical mycelium composites, and further demonstrate unique applications with fabrication of foldable bio-welded containers and flexible mycelium textiles. This study bridges the gap between biocomposite and hybrid-living materials research, opening the door to advanced structural mycelium applications and demonstrating a novel platform for development of diverse hybrid-living materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina C Shen
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 1-165, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Nicolas A Lee
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 1-165, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- School of Architecture and Planning, Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - William J Lockett
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 1-165, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 10-183, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Media, Culture, and Communication, New York University, 239 Greene Street, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Aliai D Acuil
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 1-165, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hannah B Gazdus
- School of Architecture and Planning, Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Branden N Spitzer
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 1-165, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. 1-165, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Schwarzman College of Computing, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Parasnis M, Deng E, Yuan M, Lin H, Kordas K, Paltseva A, Frimpong Boamah E, Judelsohn A, Nalam PC. Heavy Metal Remediation by Dry Mycelium Membranes: Approaches to Sustainable Lead Remediation in Water. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:6317-6329. [PMID: 38483835 PMCID: PMC10977094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Lead contamination poses significant and lasting health risks, particularly in children. This study explores the efficacy of dried mycelium membranes, distinct from live fungal biomass, for the remediation of lead (Pb(II)) in water. Dried mycelium offers unique advantages, including environmental resilience, ease of handling, biodegradability, and mechanical reliability. The study explores Pb(II) removal mechanisms through sorption and mineralization by dried mycelium hyphae in aqueous solutions. The sorption isotherm studies reveal a high Pb(II) removal efficiency, exceeding 95% for concentrations below 1000 ppm and ∼63% above 1500 ppm, primarily driven by electrostatic interactions. The measured infrared peak shifts and the pseudo-second-order kinetics for sorption suggests a correlation between sorption capacity and the density of interacting functional groups. The study also explores novel surface functionalization of the mycelium network with phosphate to enhance Pb(II) removal, which enables remediation efficiencies >95% for concentrations above 1500 ppm. Scanning electron microscopy images show a pH-dependent formation of Pb-based crystals uniformly deposited throughout the entire mycelium network. Continuous cross-flow filtration tests employing a dried mycelium membrane demonstrate its efficacy as a microporous membrane for Pb(II) removal, reaching remediation efficiency of 85-90% at the highest Pb(II) concentrations. These findings suggest that dried mycelium membranes can be a viable alternative to synthetic membranes in heavy metal remediation, with potential environmental and water treatment applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mruganka
Sandip Parasnis
- Department
of Materials Design and Innovation, University
at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Erda Deng
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Mengqi Yuan
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Haiqing Lin
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Katarzyna Kordas
- Department
of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214, United States
| | - Anna Paltseva
- School
of Geosciences, University of Louisiana,104 East University Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana 70504, United States
| | - Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah
- Department
of Urban and Regional Planning, University
at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214, United States
| | - Alexandra Judelsohn
- Department
of Urban and Regional Planning, University
at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214, United States
| | - Prathima C. Nalam
- Department
of Materials Design and Innovation, University
at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shi Z, Sheng Y, Wu J, Cui J, Lin W, Ngai T. Porous Waterborne Polyurethane Films Templated from Pickering Foams for Fabrication of Synthetic Leather. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:4751-4761. [PMID: 38385682 PMCID: PMC10919083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) latex nanoparticles with proven interfacial activity were utilized to stabilize air-water interfaces of Pickering foams through interfacial interaction with hydrophobic fumed silica particles (SPs). The rheological properties of the Pickering foam were tailored through adjustment of their SP content, which influenced their formability and stability. A Pickering foam stabilized with WPU and SPs was used as a template to prepare a WPU-SP composite porous film. The as-prepared film had intact open-cell porous structures, which increased its water absorption and water-vapor permeability. The porous film was used as a middle layer in the preparation of synthetic leather via a four-step "drying method". Compared with commercial synthetic leather, the lab-made synthetic leather with a middle layer made of the WPU-SP composite porous film exhibited a richer porous structure, acceptable wetting on a fabric substrate, a thicker porous layer, and higher water-vapor permeability. This work provides a novel and facile approach for preparing WPU-SP Pickering foams. Furthermore, the foams have the potential to function as a sustainable material for creating a porous-structured synthetic leather made from WPU, which may be utilized as an alternative to solvent-based synthetic leather.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Shi
- Department
of Chemistry, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yifeng Sheng
- Department
of Chemistry, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Department
of Biomass and Leather Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry
and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Jiwei Cui
- Key
Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education,
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department
of Biomass and Leather Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry
and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - To Ngai
- Department
of Chemistry, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Barta DG, Simion I, Tiuc AE, Vasile O. Mycelium-Based Composites as a Sustainable Solution for Waste Management and Circular Economy. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:404. [PMID: 38255571 PMCID: PMC10817536 DOI: 10.3390/ma17020404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The global population is expected to increase by nearly 2 billion individuals over the next three decades, leading to a significant surge in waste generation and environmental challenges. To mitigate these challenges, there is a need to develop sustainable solutions that can effectively manage waste generation and promote a circular economy. Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are being developed for various applications, including packaging, architectural designs, sound absorption, and insulation. MBCs are made by combining fungal mycelium with organic substrates, using the mycelium as a natural adhesive. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, can be grown on various organic feedstocks and functionalized into a range of diverse material types that are biobased and thus more sustainable in their production, use, and recycling. This work aims to obtain mycelium-based composites with acoustic absorption properties, using coffee grounds and agricultural waste as raw materials. The topic approached presents a new method of recovering spent coffee grounds that does not involve high production costs and reduces two current environmental problems: noise pollution and abundant waste. Measurements of the normal-incidence sound absorption coefficient were presented and analyzed. Mycelium-based composites offer an innovative, sustainable approach to developing bio-composite sound-absorbing surfaces for interior fittings. The material by Ganoderma lucidum exhibits exceptional sound-absorbing properties at frequencies below 700 Hz, which is a crucial aspect of creating sound-absorbing materials that effectively absorb low-frequency sound waves. The modular construction system allows for a high degree of flexibility to adapt to short-term changes in the workplace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel-Gabriel Barta
- B&G Family Innovation SRL, Street Tăutului 242B, 407280 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-G.B.); (I.S.)
| | - Irina Simion
- B&G Family Innovation SRL, Street Tăutului 242B, 407280 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-G.B.); (I.S.)
- Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Muncii Boulevard 103-105, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ancuța-Elena Tiuc
- Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Muncii Boulevard 103-105, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Vasile
- Department of Mechanics, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Schmidt B, Freidank-Pohl C, Zillessen J, Stelzer L, Guitar TN, Lühr C, Müller H, Zhang F, Hammel JU, Briesen H, Jung S, Gusovius HJ, Meyer V. Mechanical, physical and thermal properties of composite materials produced with the basidiomycete Fomes fomentarius. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2023; 10:22. [PMID: 38049892 PMCID: PMC10694974 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-023-00169-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve climate neutrality, fundamentally new concepts of circularity need to be implemented by the building sector as it contributes to 40% of anthropogenic CO2 emission. Fungal biotechnology can make a significant contribution here and help eliminate fossil dependency for building material production. Recently, we have shown that the medicinal polypore Fomes fomentarius feeds well on renewable lignocellulosic biomass and produces composite materials that could potentially replace fossil fuel-based expanded polystyrene as insulation material. RESULTS In this study, we explored the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of F. fomentarius-based composite materials in more detail and determined key performance parameters that are important to evaluate the usability of F. fomentarius-based composite materials in the construction sector. These parameters were determined according to European standards and included compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, thermal conductivity, water vapour permeability, and flammability of uncompressed composites as well as flexural strength, transverse tensile strength, and water absorption capacity of heat-pressed composites, among others. We could show that uncompressed composites obtained from F. fomentarius and hemp shives display a thermal conductivity of 0.044 W (m K)-1 which is in the range of natural organic fibres. A water vapour permeability of 1.72 and classification into flammability class B1 clearly surpasses fossil-based insulation materials including expanded polystyrene and polyurethane. We could furthermore show that heat-pressing can be used to reliably generate stiff and firm particleboards that have the potential to replace current wood-based particleboards that contain synthetic additives. X-ray microcomputed tomography finally visualized for the first time the growth of hyphae of F. fomentarius on and into the hemp shive substrates and generated high-resolution images of the microstructure of F. fomentarius-based composites. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that fungal-based composites produced with F. fomentarius partially meet or even exceed key performance parameters of currently used fossil fuel-based insulation materials and can also be used to replace particleboards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bertram Schmidt
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Freidank-Pohl
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Justus Zillessen
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Stelzer
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamara Núñez Guitar
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Lühr
- Department Systems Process Engineering, Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Henri Müller
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Chair of Process Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Fangxing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Chair of Process Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Jörg U Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Heiko Briesen
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Chair of Process Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Sascha Jung
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Gusovius
- Department Systems Process Engineering, Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Vera Meyer
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nussbaum N, von Wyl T, Gandia A, Romanens E, Rühs PA, Fischer P. Impact of malt concentration in solid substrate on mycelial growth and network connectivity in Ganoderma species. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21051. [PMID: 38030880 PMCID: PMC10687231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With its distinctive material properties, fungal mycelium has emerged as an innovative material with a diverse array of applications across various industries. This study focuses on how the growth strategies of wood fungi adapt to nutrient availability. The effect of malt extract concentration in the growth medium on radial growth kinetics, morphology, mycelium network connectivity, and mechanical characteristics of mycelium from two Ganoderma species were investigated. While an evident pattern of radial growth rate enhancement with malt concentrations was not apparent, there was a discernible trend towards denser mycelium network characteristics as revealed by spectrophotometry. Increased malt extract contents corresponded to elevated optical density measurements and were visually confirmed by denser mycelium networks in photographic images. Investigating the mechanical characteristics of mycelium cultivated on varying solid substrate concentrations, the Young's modulus exhibited a substantial difference between mycelium grown on 5 wt% malt substrate and samples cultivated on 2 wt% and 0.4 wt% malt substrates. The obtained results represent a new understanding of how malt availability influences mycelial growth of two Ganoderma species, a crucial insight for potentially refining mycelium cultivation across diverse applications, including meat alternatives, smart building materials, and alternative leather.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Nussbaum
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Tabea von Wyl
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antoni Gandia
- Planted Foods AG, Kemptpark 32, 8310, Kemptthal, Switzerland
- IBMCP (UPV-CSIC), Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology, 46011, Valencia, Spain
| | - Edwina Romanens
- Planted Foods AG, Kemptpark 32, 8310, Kemptthal, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Fischer
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kuribayashi T, Lankinen P, Mikkonen KS. A layered solid-state culture system for investigating the fungal growth and decay behaviour on the cellulosic substrate. J Microbiol Methods 2023; 212:106794. [PMID: 37541446 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Mycelium-based materials have attracted growing interest, facilitating their development for various new applications. Finding for suitable fungal species and strains enables further technical breakthroughs in their development and quality control. Here, we developed a model solid-state culture system to screen fungal strains efficiently for mycelium-based materials production. A piece of silicone-coated paper set on the general agar plate allows for isolation of the mycelial mat from the substrate. The mycelial growth and density can be evaluated by weighing the mycelial mat. We used the paper substrate after fungal incubation to investigate the relationship between substrate degradation and the contact time with hyphae. It yielded further insights into the fungal decay. Ten basidiomycetes were assessed for their fungal growth and degradation behaviour of the substrate using this method. Pleurotus floridanus FBCC375 showed a dense and elastic mycelial mat and mild degradation of the substrate. A unique decay behaviour was found in Hypsizygus ulmarius FBCC573 and Trametes versicolor FBCC564. They indicated a positional imbalance in the decay activity within the colony. This simple method is helpful for screening fungal strains and facilitates the further development of mycelium-based materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Kuribayashi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Pauliina Lankinen
- Department of Microbiology, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi S Mikkonen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), P.O. Box 65, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Enriquez-Medina I, Bermudez AC, Ortiz-Montoya EY, Alvarez-Vasco C. From purposeless residues to biocomposites: A hyphae made connection. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 39:e00807. [PMID: 37448784 PMCID: PMC10338154 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Biocomposites create attractive alternatives to match packing needs with available agricultural residues. Growing native fungal strains developed a mycelium biocomposite over a mixture of Peach Palm Fruit Peel Flour and Sugar Cane Bagasse Wet Dust. A methodology was proposed to analyze their main characteristics: 1) morphological, 2) chemical, and 3) biodegradability. 1) SEM analysis evidenced the structural change of the dried vs pressed material and mycelium morphology for both species. 2) The ratio lignin:carbohydrate showed that P. ostreatus degrades the cellulose-hemicellulose fraction of the substrate at a higher rate than T. elegans, and 3) the curve BMP indicated that these materials are readily biodegradable with a maximum yield of 362,50 mL biogas/g VS. An innovative tangible valorization strategy based on mass balances is also presented: from just 50 kg of peel flour, up to 1840 units can be manufactured, which could pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Enriquez-Medina
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Universidad ICESI, Calle 18 No, 122-135, Cali, Colombia
| | - Andres Ceballos Bermudez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Universidad ICESI, Calle 18 No, 122-135, Cali, Colombia
- Centro BioInc, Universidad ICESI, Cali, Colombia
| | - Erika Y. Ortiz-Montoya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Universidad ICESI, Calle 18 No, 122-135, Cali, Colombia
- Centro BioInc, Universidad ICESI, Cali, Colombia
| | - Carlos Alvarez-Vasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Universidad ICESI, Calle 18 No, 122-135, Cali, Colombia
- Centro BioInc, Universidad ICESI, Cali, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ruggeri M, Miele D, Contardi M, Vigani B, Boselli C, Icaro Cornaglia A, Rossi S, Suarato G, Athanassiou A, Sandri G. Mycelium-based biomaterials as smart devices for skin wound healing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1225722. [PMID: 37650039 PMCID: PMC10465301 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1225722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Recently, mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus, edible fungi, have been characterized in vitro as self-growing biomaterials for tissue engineering since they are constituted of interconnected fibrous networks resembling the dermal collagen structure. Aim: This work aims to investigate the biopharmaceutical properties of G. lucidum and P. ostreatus mycelia to prove their safety and effectiveness in tissue engineering as dermal substitutes. Methods: The mycelial materials were characterized using a multidisciplinary approach, including physicochemical properties (morphology, thermal behavior, surface charge, and isoelectric point). Moreover, preclinical properties such as gene expression and in vitro wound healing assay have been evaluated using fibroblasts. Finally, these naturally-grown substrates were applied in vivo using a murine burn/excisional wound model. Conclusions: Both G. lucidum and P. ostreatus mycelia are biocompatible and able to safely and effectively enhance tissue repair in vivo in our preclinical model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ruggeri
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dalila Miele
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Contardi
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Barbara Vigani
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Boselli
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonia Icaro Cornaglia
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Rossi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Suarato
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Elsacker E, Vandelook S, Peeters E. Recent technological innovations in mycelium materials as leather substitutes: a patent review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1204861. [PMID: 37609120 PMCID: PMC10441217 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1204861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Leathery mycelium materials, made from the vegetative part of filamentous fungi, have garnered significant interest in recent years due to their great potential of providing environmentally sustainable alternatives to animal- and plastic-based leathers. In this systematic patent review, we provide an in-depth overview of the fabrication methods for mycelium materials as leather substitutes recently described in patents. This overview includes strategies for fungal biomass generation and industrial developments in the sector. We discuss the use of various fungal species, plasticizers, crosslinking agents, and post-processing techniques, thereby highlighting potential gaps in scientific knowledge and identifying opportunities, challenges, and concerns in the field. Our analysis suggests that mycelium materials have significant potential for commercialization, with a growing number of companies betting on this new class of biomaterials. However, we also reveal the need for further scientific research to fully understand the properties of these materials and to unlock potential applications. Overall, this patent review delineates the current state of the art in leathery mycelium materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eveline Peeters
- Research Group of Microbiology, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Charpentier-Alfaro C, Benavides-Hernández J, Poggerini M, Crisci A, Mele G, Della Rocca G, Emiliani G, Frascella A, Torrigiani T, Palanti S. Wood-Decaying Fungi: From Timber Degradation to Sustainable Insulating Biomaterials Production. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:ma16093547. [PMID: 37176430 PMCID: PMC10179824 DOI: 10.3390/ma16093547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Charpentier-Alfaro
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia (IBE), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José 1174-1200, Costa Rica
| | - Jorge Benavides-Hernández
- Département Chimie, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France
| | - Marco Poggerini
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia (IBE), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Alfonso Crisci
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia (IBE), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mele
- Istituto per i Sistemi Agricoli e Forestali del Mediterraneo (ISAFOM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.Le Enrico Fermi, Portici, 80055 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gianni Della Rocca
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (IPSP), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giovanni Emiliani
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (IPSP), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Angela Frascella
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (IPSP), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Tommaso Torrigiani
- Laboratorio di Meteorologia Modellistica Ambientale (LaMMA), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sabrina Palanti
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia (IBE), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
An B, Wang Y, Huang Y, Wang X, Liu Y, Xun D, Church GM, Dai Z, Yi X, Tang TC, Zhong C. Engineered Living Materials For Sustainability. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2349-2419. [PMID: 36512650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology and materials science have given rise to a new form of materials, namely engineered living materials (ELMs), which are composed of living matter or cell communities embedded in self-regenerating matrices of their own or artificial scaffolds. Like natural materials such as bone, wood, and skin, ELMs, which possess the functional capabilities of living organisms, can grow, self-organize, and self-repair when needed. They also spontaneously perform programmed biological functions upon sensing external cues. Currently, ELMs show promise for green energy production, bioremediation, disease treatment, and fabricating advanced smart materials. This review first introduces the dynamic features of natural living systems and their potential for developing novel materials. We then summarize the recent research progress on living materials and emerging design strategies from both synthetic biology and materials science perspectives. Finally, we discuss the positive impacts of living materials on promoting sustainability and key future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bolin An
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yanyi Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuzhu Liu
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmin Xun
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - George M Church
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiao Yi
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tzu-Chieh Tang
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Chao Zhong
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pylkkänen R, Werner D, Bishoyi A, Weil D, Scoppola E, Wagermaier W, Safeer A, Bahri S, Baldus M, Paananen A, Penttilä M, Szilvay GR, Mohammadi P. The complex structure of Fomes fomentarius represents an architectural design for high-performance ultralightweight materials. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5417. [PMID: 36812306 PMCID: PMC9946349 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
High strength, hardness, and fracture toughness are mechanical properties that are not commonly associated with the fleshy body of a fungus. Here, we show with detailed structural, chemical, and mechanical characterization that Fomes fomentarius is an exception, and its architectural design is a source of inspiration for an emerging class of ultralightweight high-performance materials. Our findings reveal that F. fomentarius is a functionally graded material with three distinct layers that undergo multiscale hierarchical self-assembly. Mycelium is the primary component in all layers. However, in each layer, mycelium exhibits a very distinct microstructure with unique preferential orientation, aspect ratio, density, and branch length. We also show that an extracellular matrix acts as a reinforcing adhesive that differs in each layer in terms of quantity, polymeric content, and interconnectivity. These findings demonstrate how the synergistic interplay of the aforementioned features results in distinct mechanical properties for each layer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Pylkkänen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Daniel Werner
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ajit Bishoyi
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Dominik Weil
- KLA-Tencor GmbH, Moritzburger Weg 67, Dresden 01109, Germany
| | - Ernesto Scoppola
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagermaier
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Adil Safeer
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Salima Bahri
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marc Baldus
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Arja Paananen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Merja Penttilä
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Géza R. Szilvay
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mycelium-Composite Materials-A Promising Alternative to Plastics? J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020210. [PMID: 36836324 PMCID: PMC9965147 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste inefficiently recycled poses a major environmental concern attracting attention from both civil society and decision makers. Counteracting the phenomenon is an important challenge today. New possibilities are being explored to find alternatives to plastics, and one of them refers to mycelium-composite materials (MCM). Our study aimed at investigating the possibility of using wood and litter inhabiting basidiomycetes, an underexplored group of fungi that grow fast and create strong mycelial mats, to produce biodegradable materials with valuable properties, using cheap by-products as a substrate for growth. Seventy-five strains have been tested for their ability to grow on low-nutrient media and to form compact mycelial mats. Eight strains were selected further for evaluation on several raw substrates for producing in vitro myco-composites. The physico-mechanical properties of these materials, such as firmness, elasticity and impermeability, were analyzed. Abortiporus biennis RECOSOL73 was selected to obtain, at the laboratory scale, a real biodegradable product. Our results suggest that the strain used is a promising candidate with real possibilities for scalability. Finally, corroborating our results with scientific available data, discussions are being made over the feasibility of such technology, cost-effectiveness, scalability, availability of raw materials and, not least, where future studies should be directed to.
Collapse
|
18
|
Jahn LJ, Rekdal VM, Sommer MOA. Microbial foods for improving human and planetary health. Cell 2023; 186:469-478. [PMID: 36657442 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The current food production system is negatively impacting planetary and human health. A transition to a sustainable and fair food system is urgently needed. Microorganisms are likely enablers of this process, as they can produce delicious and healthy microbial foods with low environmental footprints. We review traditional and current approaches to microbial foods, such as fermented foods, microbial biomass, and food ingredients derived from microbial fermentations. We discuss how future advances in science-driven fermentation, synthetic biology, and sustainable feedstocks enable a new generation of microbial foods, potentially impacting the sustainability, resilience, and health effects of our food system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie J Jahn
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, DTU Biosustain, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Vayu M Rekdal
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, DTU Biosustain, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Morten O A Sommer
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, DTU Biosustain, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hamza A, Ghanekar S, Santhosh Kumar D. Current trends in health-promoting potential and biomaterial applications of edible mushrooms for human wellness. FOOD BIOSCI 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
20
|
Unlocking the magic in mycelium: Using synthetic biology to optimize filamentous fungi for biomanufacturing and sustainability. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100560. [PMID: 36756210 PMCID: PMC9900623 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi drive carbon and nutrient cycling across our global ecosystems, through its interactions with growing and decaying flora and their constituent microbiomes. The remarkable metabolic diversity, secretion ability, and fiber-like mycelial structure that have evolved in filamentous fungi have been increasingly exploited in commercial operations. The industrial potential of mycelial fermentation ranges from the discovery and bioproduction of enzymes and bioactive compounds, the decarbonization of food and material production, to environmental remediation and enhanced agricultural production. Despite its fundamental impact in ecology and biotechnology, molds and mushrooms have not, to-date, significantly intersected with synthetic biology in ways comparable to other industrial cell factories (e.g. Escherichia coli,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Komagataella phaffii). In this review, we summarize a suite of synthetic biology and computational tools for the mining, engineering and optimization of filamentous fungi as a bioproduction chassis. A combination of methods across genetic engineering, mutagenesis, experimental evolution, and computational modeling can be used to address strain development bottlenecks in established and emerging industries. These include slow mycelium growth rate, low production yields, non-optimal growth in alternative feedstocks, and difficulties in downstream purification. In the scope of biomanufacturing, we then detail previous efforts in improving key bottlenecks by targeting protein processing and secretion pathways, hyphae morphogenesis, and transcriptional control. Bringing synthetic biology practices into the hidden world of molds and mushrooms will serve to expand the limited panel of host organisms that allow for commercially-feasible and environmentally-sustainable bioproduction of enzymes, chemicals, therapeutics, foods, and materials of the future.
Collapse
|
21
|
Fuentes KM, Gómez M, Rebolledo H, Figueroa JM, Zamora P, Naranjo-Briceño L. Nanomaterials in the future biotextile industry: A new cosmovision to obtain smart biotextiles. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2022.1056498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
For centuries, man has dominated the development of fibers and textiles to make clothing that protects them against environmental adversities, and gradually dissimilar cultural and ethnic identity traits have been created. Our garments are composed of natural elements such as animal leather, vegetable fibers, and synthetic textiles that result in ultra-resistant and durable materials. However, the textile industry has a non-sustainable character mainly because population growth will limit the use of natural resources, such as land and water, exclusively for food. At the same time, petrochemical-derived materials will gradually be replaced by more biodegradable alternatives due to their toxic accumulation in the local environment and their contribution to global climate change. The vast inventiveness of human-being is opening the possibility of replacing our clothes by mimicking, reproducing, and scaling up nature’s biosynthetic machinery through cutting-edge biotechnological approaches. Nevertheless, the new cosmovision of biotextiles must meet two requirements: 1) the appearance and performance of the clothes should be preserved to join the current textile market demand, and at the same time, 2) new functionalities should be incorporated into our clothes to embrace the impressive technological advances occurring day to day. In this regard, nanotechnological developments will be able to provide the desired properties so that the textile industry can provide bio-based materials enhanced with nanotechnology-based intelligent functionalities. This perspective article discloses nano-biotechnological approaches to address the challenge of dressing up future societies and new material consciousness.
Collapse
|
22
|
Mapook A, Hyde KD, Hassan K, Kemkuignou BM, Čmoková A, Surup F, Kuhnert E, Paomephan P, Cheng T, de Hoog S, Song Y, Jayawardena RS, Al-Hatmi AMS, Mahmoudi T, Ponts N, Studt-Reinhold L, Richard-Forget F, Chethana KWT, Harishchandra DL, Mortimer PE, Li H, Lumyong S, Aiduang W, Kumla J, Suwannarach N, Bhunjun CS, Yu FM, Zhao Q, Schaefer D, Stadler M. Ten decadal advances in fungal biology leading towards human well-being. FUNGAL DIVERS 2022; 116:547-614. [PMID: 36123995 PMCID: PMC9476466 DOI: 10.1007/s13225-022-00510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are an understudied resource possessing huge potential for developing products that can greatly improve human well-being. In the current paper, we highlight some important discoveries and developments in applied mycology and interdisciplinary Life Science research. These examples concern recently introduced drugs for the treatment of infections and neurological diseases; application of -OMICS techniques and genetic tools in medical mycology and the regulation of mycotoxin production; as well as some highlights of mushroom cultivaton in Asia. Examples for new diagnostic tools in medical mycology and the exploitation of new candidates for therapeutic drugs, are also given. In addition, two entries illustrating the latest developments in the use of fungi for biodegradation and fungal biomaterial production are provided. Some other areas where there have been and/or will be significant developments are also included. It is our hope that this paper will help realise the importance of fungi as a potential industrial resource and see the next two decades bring forward many new fungal and fungus-derived products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ausana Mapook
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Kevin D. Hyde
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Innovative Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510225 China
| | - Khadija Hassan
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Blondelle Matio Kemkuignou
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Adéla Čmoková
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Frank Surup
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Eric Kuhnert
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Institute for Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Pathompong Paomephan
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Tian Cheng
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Yinggai Song
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruvishika S. Jayawardena
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Tokameh Mahmoudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia Ponts
- INRAE, UR1264 Mycology and Food Safety (MycSA), 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Lena Studt-Reinhold
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | | | - K. W. Thilini Chethana
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Dulanjalee L. Harishchandra
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097 China
| | - Peter E. Mortimer
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
- Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Huili Li
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
- Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Saisamorm Lumyong
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, 10300 Thailand
| | - Worawoot Aiduang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Jaturong Kumla
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Feng-Ming Yu
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Doug Schaefer
- Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sydor M, Cofta G, Doczekalska B, Bonenberg A. Fungi in Mycelium-Based Composites: Usage and Recommendations. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:ma15186283. [PMID: 36143594 PMCID: PMC9505859 DOI: 10.3390/ma15186283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Mycelium-Based Composites (MBCs) are innovative engineering materials made from lignocellulosic by-products bonded with fungal mycelium. While some performance characteristics of MBCs are inferior to those of currently used engineering materials, these composites nevertheless prove to be superior in ecological aspects. Improving the properties of MBCs may be achieved using an adequate substrate type, fungus species, and manufacturing technology. This article presents scientifically verified guiding principles for choosing a fungus species to obtain the desired effect. This aim was realized based on analyses of scientific articles concerning MBCs, mycological literature, and patent documents. Based on these analyses, over 70 fungi species used to manufacture MBC have been identified and the most commonly used combinations of fungi species-substrate-manufacturing technology are presented. The main result of this review was to demonstrate the characteristics of the fungi considered optimal in terms of the resulting engineering material properties. Thus, a list of the 11 main fungus characteristics that increase the effectiveness in the engineering material formation include: rapid hyphae growth, high virulence, dimitic or trimitic hyphal system, white rot decay type, high versatility in nutrition, high tolerance to a substrate, environmental parameters, susceptibility to readily controlled factors, easy to deactivate, saprophytic, non-mycotoxic, and capability to biosynthesize natural active substances. An additional analysis result is a list of the names of fungus species, the types of substrates used, the applications of the material produced, and the main findings reported in the scientific literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Sydor
- Department of Woodworking and Fundamentals of Machine Design, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-618466144
| | - Grzegorz Cofta
- Department of Chemical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| | - Beata Doczekalska
- Department of Chemical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| | - Agata Bonenberg
- Institute of Interior Design and Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling up Architectural Applications of Mycelium-Based Materials with Digital Fabrication. Biomimetics (Basel) 2022; 7:biomimetics7020044. [PMID: 35466261 PMCID: PMC9036240 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7020044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In an increasing effort to address the environmental challenges caused by the currently linear economic paradigm of “produce, use, and discard”, the construction industry has been shifting towards a more circular model. A circular economy requires closing of the loops, where the end-of-life of a building is considered more carefully, and waste is used as a resource. In comparison to traditional building materials such as timber, steel and concrete, mycelium-based materials are renewable alternatives that use organic agricultural and industrial waste as a key ingredient for production, and do not rely on mass extraction or exploitation of valuable finite or non-finite resources. Mycelium-based materials have shown their potential as a more circular and economically competitive alternative to conventional synthetic materials in numerous industries ranging from packaging, electronic prototyping, furniture, fashion to architecture. However, application of mycelium-based materials in the construction industry has been limited to small-scale prototypes and architectural installations due to low mechanical properties, lack of standardisation in production methods and material characterisation. This paper aims to review the current state of the art in research and applications of mycelium-based materials across disciplines, with a particular focus on digital methods of fabrication, production, and design. The information gathered from this review will be synthesised to identify key challenges in scaling up applications of mycelium-based materials as load-bearing structural elements in architecture and suggest opportunities and directions for future research.
Collapse
|
25
|
Meyer V. Connecting materials sciences with fungal biology: a sea of possibilities. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2022; 9:5. [PMID: 35232493 PMCID: PMC8889637 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-022-00137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Special Issue "Connecting materials science with fungal biology" celebrates recent breakthroughs in the fabrication of fungal-based materials, all of which have been made possible by the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration of fungal biologists and biotechnologists with artists, designers, materials scientists, and architects. It features conceptual considerations and latest developments of these joint research efforts and the paradigm shift that is involved. The aim of this collection of twelve papers is to highlight the infinite possibilities for the development of innovative fungal-based materials which can be realized through integrating the knowledge and methods from different disciplines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Meyer
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Pohl C, Schmidt B, Nunez Guitar T, Klemm S, Gusovius HJ, Platzk S, Kruggel-Emden H, Klunker A, Völlmecke C, Fleck C, Meyer V. Establishment of the basidiomycete Fomes fomentarius for the production of composite materials. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2022; 9:4. [PMID: 35209941 PMCID: PMC8876124 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-022-00133-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Filamentous fungi of the phylum Basidiomycota are considered as an attractive source for the biotechnological production of composite materials. The ability of many basidiomycetes to accept residual lignocellulosic plant biomass from agriculture and forestry such as straw, shives and sawdust as substrates and to bind and glue together these otherwise loose but reinforcing substrate particles into their mycelial network, makes them ideal candidates to produce biological composites to replace petroleum-based synthetic plastics and foams in the near future. Results Here, we describe for the first time the application potential of the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius for lab-scale production of mycelium composites. We used fine, medium and coarse particle fractions of hemp shives and rapeseed straw to produce a set of diverse composite materials and show that the mechanical materials properties are dependent on the nature and particle size of the substrates. Compression tests and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize composite material properties and to model their compression behaviour by numerical simulations. Their properties were compared amongst each other and with the benchmark expanded polystyrene (EPS), a petroleum-based foam used for thermal isolation in the construction industry. Our analyses uncovered that EPS shows an elastic modulus of 2.37 ± 0.17 MPa which is 4-times higher compared to the F. fomentarius composite materials whereas the compressive strength of 0.09 ± 0.003 MPa is in the range of the fungal composite material. However, when comparing the ability to take up compressive forces at higher strain values, the fungal composites performed better than EPS. Hemp-shive based composites were able to resist a compressive force of 0.2 MPa at 50% compression, rapeseed composites 0.3 MPa but EPS only 0.15 MPa. Conclusion The data obtained in this study suggest that F. fomentarius constitutes a promising cell factory for the future production of fungal composite materials with similar mechanical behaviour as synthetic foams such as EPS. Future work will focus on designing materials characteristics through optimizing substrate properties, cultivation conditions and by modulating growth and cell wall composition of F. fomentarius, i.e. factors that contribute on the meso- and microscale level to the composite behaviour. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40694-022-00133-y.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Pohl
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bertram Schmidt
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamara Nunez Guitar
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Klemm
- Chair of Materials Science and Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Gusovius
- Department of Post Harvest Technology, Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefan Platzk
- Chair of Mechanical Process Engineering and Solids Processing (MVTA), Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harald Kruggel-Emden
- Chair of Mechanical Process Engineering and Solids Processing (MVTA), Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andre Klunker
- Stability and Failure of Functionally Optimized Structures Group, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina Völlmecke
- Stability and Failure of Functionally Optimized Structures Group, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Fleck
- Chair of Materials Science and Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Vera Meyer
- Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Delgado Corrales B, Kaiser R, Nerlich P, Agraviador A, Sherry A. BioMateriOME: To understand microbe-material interactions within sustainable, living architectures. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2022; 122:77-126. [PMID: 37085194 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BioMateriOME evolved from a prototyping process which was informed from discussions between a team of designers, architects and microbiologists, when considering constructing with biomaterials or human cohabitation with novel living materials in the built environment. The prototype has two elements (i) BioMateriOME-Public (BMP), an interactive public materials library, and (ii) BioMateriOME-eXperimental (BMX), a replicated materials library for rigorous microbiome experimentation. The prototype was installed into the OME, a unique experimental living house, in order to (1) gain insights into society's perceptions of living materials, and (2) perform a comparative analysis of indoor surface microbiome development on novel biomaterials in contrast to conventional indoor surfaces, respectively. This review summarizes the BioMateriOME prototype and its use as a tool in combining microbiology, design, architecture and social science. The use of microbiology and biological components in the fabrication of biomaterials is provided, together with an appreciation of the microbial communities common to conventional indoor surfaces, and how these communities may change in response to the implementation of living materials in our homes. Societal perceptions of microbiomes and biomaterials, are considered within the framework of healthy architecture. Finally, features of architectural design with microbes in mind are introduced, with the possibility of codifying microbial surveillance into design and construction benchmarks, standards and regulations toward healthier buildings and their occupants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Delgado Corrales
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Romy Kaiser
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Nerlich
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Armand Agraviador
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Sherry
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|