Investigation of Mechanical and Physical Properties of Mycelium-Based Biocomposites from Fomes fomentarius Using Different Lignocellulosic Substrates

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Wood and Paper Industries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

2 Department of Wood and Paper Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

10.22059/jfwp.2025.392475.1342

Abstract

Mycelium-based biocomposites have attracted significant attention from researchers and industries as sustainable alternatives to traditional composites due to their environmental compatibility, biodegradability, and low production costs. This study investigates the effects of different lignocellulosic substrates cotton stalks, wheat straw, and beech wood waste on the mechanical and physical properties of mycelium-based biocomposites produced with the fungus Fomes fomentarius. The production process involved substrate inoculation with fungal mycelium, incubation under controlled conditions, and hot/cold pressing to form dense structures. Physical (water absorption, thickness swelling) and mechanical tests (bending strength, bending modulus of elasticity, internal bonding strength) were conducted in accordance with EN standards. Results have shown that the cotton stalk biocomposite, with the highest elongation coefficient (54.78) and specific surface area of particles, formed a more continuous network of fungal hyphae, which resulted in proper bending strength (6.26 MPa), bending modulus of elasticity (1.3 GPa), and internal bonding strength (0.2 MPa). Versus, the beech wood waste biocomposite have showed the lowest mechanical performance due to the high particle thickness and larger structural pores. Water absorption and thickness swelling were influenced by substrate hydrophilicity and structural density, so that wheat straw biocomposite have the most water absorption (77.92%) and beech wood waste the lowest (54.44%). This study emphasizes that the selection of substrate with optimal physicochemical properties plays a key role in optimizing the performance of mycelium-based composites.. However, further interdisciplinary research is needed to improve the resistances and expand industrial applications of these biodegradable materials.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Forest and Wood Products

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 July 2025

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