From purposeless residues to biocomposites: A hyphae made connection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Agricultural residues like peach palm fruit peel and sugarcane bagasse present disposal challenges.
• Biocomposites offer sustainable alternatives for packaging, utilizing abundant agro-waste streams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel mycelium biocomposite using peach palm fruit peel flour and sugar cane bagasse wet dust.
• To evaluate the morphological, chemical, and biodegradability properties of the developed biocomposite.
• To propose a valorization strategy for the biocomposite derived from agricultural residues.

Main Methods:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used for morphological analysis.
• Lignin:carbohydrate ratio was determined to assess fungal degradation.
• Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests were conducted to evaluate biodegradability.

Main Results:

• SEM analysis revealed structural changes and distinct mycelium morphologies.
• Pleurotus ostreatus demonstrated a higher degradation rate of cellulose-hemicellulose compared to Trametes elegans.
• The biocomposite exhibited ready biodegradability, yielding a maximum of 362.50 mL biogas/g VS.

Conclusions:

• A novel, readily biodegradable mycelium biocomposite was successfully developed from agricultural waste.
• The material shows potential for sustainable packaging applications.
• A mass balance strategy indicates high manufacturing potential, with 50 kg of raw material yielding up to 1840 units.