Fungal Based Biopolymer Composites for Construction Materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns and resource depletion necessitate sustainable material development.
• Composite biomaterials offer controlled properties, low-cost production, and utilize agricultural/industrial byproducts.
• There is a need for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional construction materials like polystyrene.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and investigate a novel composite biomaterial using fungal mycelium, wheat straws, and bacterial spores.
• To assess the viability of embedded bacterial spores and the compatibility of the composite with microorganisms.
• To evaluate the physical and thermal properties of the resulting fungal biocomposite for potential construction applications.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of *Ganoderma lucidum* macromycetes on a mixture of wheat straws and polypropylene embedded with *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens* spores.
• Utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy to analyze the structure and mycelial coverage.
• Conducting compressive strength and thermal insulation tests to compare with polystyrene.

Main Results:

• Bacterial spores remained viable after heat exposure, enhancing polymer compatibility with microorganisms.
• Microscopy revealed a dense network of fungal filaments covering the substrates.
• The fungal biocomposite demonstrated comparable compressive strength and superior thermal insulation compared to polystyrene.

Conclusions:

• A safe, inert, renewable, natural, and biodegradable fungal biocomposite was successfully created.
• The material's moldability and excellent thermal insulation properties suggest significant potential for the construction sector.
• This innovation contributes to byproduct valorization and the development of sustainable building materials.