Application of Edible Mushrooms in the Production of Sustainable Packaging

Document Type : Scientific Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Agricultural Engineering Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Consumers now have stronger affinity towards eco-friendly products instead of plastics. Eco-friendly packaging is made of recyclable or renewable materials which are sustainable and safe for not only individuals but also the environment. Mushroom- based packaging is one of the eco-friendly materials that have received considerable attention, recently. Mycelium is a fast growing vegetative part of a fungus which latches onto whatever around it like any low value organic matter to create a super-dense network of threads. Once growing in the mold to reach the desired density and shape, the material is dehydrated and heat treated, to stop further growth. Supplementary processes such as compression and laser cutting may also be used to achieve the required shape and structure. The result is a heat and fire-resistant, biodegradable and low cost material that has similar properties like synthetic foam plastics. There is no spore or allergen concern as the mycelium is not fully grown to produce fertile bodies. This paper reviews the current status of technology for production of mycelium based material and its applications as a sustainable alternative for polystyrene.

Keywords

References

1.   Abhijith, R., Ashok, A., and Rejeesh, C. R. (2018). “Sustainable packaging applications from mycelium to substitute polystyrene: A review.” Mater. Today Proc., Elsevier Ltd 5, 2139–2145.##
2. Appels, F. V. W., Camere, S., Montalti, M., Karana, E., Jansen, K. M. B., Dijksterhuis, J., Krijgsheld, P., and Wösten, H. A. B. (2019). “Fabrication factors influencing mechanical, moisture- and water-related properties of mycelium-based composites.” Mater. Des., Elsevier Ltd 161, 64–71.##
3. Jiang, L., Walczyk, D., Mooney, L., and Putney, S. (2016). “Manufacturingbof mycelium- based biocomposites.” International SAMPE Technical Conference, 1944-1955.##
4. Bajwa, D. S., Holt, G. A., Bajwa, S. G., Duke, S. E., and McIntyre, G. (2017). “Enhancement of termite (Reticulitermes flavipes L.) resistance in mycelium reinforced biofiber-composites.” Ind. Crops Prod. 107, 420–426.##
5. Wösten, H. A. B. (2019). “Filamentous fungi for the production of enzymes, chemicals and materials.” Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 59, 65–70.##
6. Girometta, C., Picco, A. M., Baiguera, R. M., Dondi, D., Babbini, S., Cartabia, M., Pellegrini, M., and Savino, E. (2019). “Physico-mechanical and thermodynamic properties of mycelium-based biocomposites: A review.” Sustain. 11 (1), 281.##
7. Holt, G. A., McIntyre, G., Flagg, D., Bayer, E., Wanjura, J. D., and Pelletier, M. G. (2012). “Fungal mycelium and cotton plant materials in the manufacture of biodegradable molded packaging material: Evaluation study of select blends of cotton byproducts.” J. Biobased Mater. Bioenergy 6, 431–439.##
8. Santhosh, B. S., Bhavana, D. R., and Rakesh, M. G. (2018). “Mycelium composites: An emerging green building material.” Int. Res. J. Eng. Technol. 05, 3066–3068.##
9. Bafkar, O. (2015). “Mycelium material new replacement for thermoplastics.” Research Proposal, 1-2.##
10.   Rathore, H., Prasad, S., Kapri, M., Tiwari, A., and Sharma, S. (2019). “Medicinal importance of mushroom mycelium: Mechanisms and applications.” J. Funct. Foods, Elsevier 56, 182–193.##
11.   Valverde, M. E., Hernández-Pérez, T., and Paredes-López, O. (2015). “Edible mushrooms: Improving human health and promoting quality life.” Int. J. Microbiol. 2015.##
12.   Wagner, A. (2016). “Mycelium Biking: Eco-design at its best,” Luleå University of Technology.##
13.   Bayer, E., and McIntyre, G. (2009). “Method for producing rapidly renewable chitinous material using fungal fruiting bodies and product made thereby.” United States. United States patent US20090307969A1.##
14.   Bayer, E., McIntyre, G., and Swersey, B. L. (2008). “Method for producing grown materials and products made thereby.” United States. United States patent US20080145577A1.##
15.   Lelivelt, R. J. J. (2018). “The mechanical possibilities of mycelium materials.” Master's Thesis,Eindhoven University of Technology, 1–82.##
16.   Karana, E., Blauwhoff, D., Hultink, E. J., and Camere, S. (2018). “When the material grows: A case study on designing (with) mycelium-based materials.” Int. J. Des. 12, 119–136.##
17.   Liu, R., Long, L., Sheng, Y., Xu, J., Qiu, H., Li, X., Wang, Y., and Wu, H. (2019). “Preparation of a kind of novel sustainable mycelium/cotton stalk composites and effects of pressing temperature on the properties.” Ind. Crops Prod., Elsevier 141, 111732.##
18.   Jones, M. P., Lawrie, A. C., Huynh, T. T., Morrison, P. D., Mautner, A., Bismarck, A., and John, S. (2019). “Agricultural by-product suitability for the production of chitinous composites and nanofibers utilising Trametes versicolor and Polyporus brumalis mycelial growth.” Process Biochem., Elsevier Ltd 80, 95–102.##
19.   Haneef, M., Ceseracciu, L., Canale, C., Bayer, I. S., Heredia-Guerrero, J. A., and Athanassiou, A. (2017). “Advanced Materials from Fungal Mycelium: Fabrication and Tuning of Physical Properties.” Sci. Rep., Nature Publishing Group 7, 1–11.##
20.   Jiang, L., Walczyk, D., McIntyre, G., and Chan, W. K. (2016). “Cost modeling and optimization of a manufacturing system for mycelium-based biocomposite parts.” J. Manuf. Syst., The Society of Manufacturing Engineers 41, 8–20.##
21.       Jiang, L., Walczyk, D., McIntyre, G., Bucinell, R., and Tudryn, G. (2017). “Manufacturing of biocomposite sandwich structures using mycelium-bound cores and preforms.” J. Manuf. Process., The Society of Manufacturing Engineers 28, 50–59.##

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 20 February 2020
  • Revise Date: 19 March 2020
  • Accept Date: 21 May 2020
  • Publish Date: 20 June 2020

Share

How to cite

Statistics