Fungal mycelium classified in different material families based on glycerol treatment

Commun Biol. 2020 Jun 26;3(1):334. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-1064-4.

Abstract

Fungal mycelium is an emerging bio-based material. Here, mycelium films are produced from liquid shaken cultures that have a Young's modulus of 0.47 GPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 5.0 MPa and a strain at failure of 1.5%. Treating the mycelial films with 0-32% glycerol impacts the material properties. The largest effect is observed after treatment with 32% glycerol decreasing the Young's modulus and the ultimate tensile strength to 0.003 GPa and 1.8 MPa, respectively, whereas strain at failure increases to 29.6%. Moreover, glycerol treatment makes the surface of mycelium films hydrophilic and the hyphal matrix absorbing less water. Results show that mycelium films treated with 8% and 16-32% glycerol classify as polymer- and elastomer-like materials, respectively, while non-treated films and films treated with 1-4% glycerol classify as natural material. Thus, mycelium materials can cover a diversity of material families.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Biofilms / classification
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biomass
  • Glycerol / pharmacology*
  • Microscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Mycelium / classification*
  • Mycelium / drug effects
  • Mycelium / physiology
  • Mycelium / ultrastructure
  • Schizophyllum / drug effects
  • Schizophyllum / growth & development
  • Tensile Strength / drug effects
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Water
  • Glycerol