Wild Mushroom Mycelium Turns Agro-Waste Into Packaging

Researchers in Sri Lanka have developed biodegradable mycelium composites using local wild mushroom species and locally available agricultural residues. According to the study, several formulations offer properties comparable to expanded polystyrene (EPS), suggesting potential applications in protective packaging and insulation.

Fungal Mycelium As A Natural Binder

The research team, led by scientists from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, used two mushroom species found in Sri Lanka: Ganoderma orbiforme and Lentinus squarrosulus.

The fungi were cultivated on lignocellulosic waste streams, including coconut sawdust, mango sawdust and coir pith. As the mycelium grew through these materials, it bound the loose particles together. This process created lightweight, rigid composite structures without relying on conventional synthetic foam materials.

Using local fungal strains and underused agricultural residues could add value to biological waste streams. It may also reduce the need for fossil-based packaging materials that can remain in the environment for extended periods.

Performance Comparable To Lightweight Foams

The researchers assessed the composites’ physical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. The final characteristics varied according to both the fungal species and the substrate.

Formulations containing coir pith and coconut sawdust delivered the most promising results. One composite achieved a compressive strength of 0.65 MPa while retaining a low density comparable to cork and lightweight foam. In particular, the combination of Ganoderma orbiforme with coir pith and coconut sawdust showed potential for protective packaging.

Water absorption also depended on the selected agricultural residue. Coir pith-based composites demonstrated better resistance to moisture than several other formulations. Thermal testing indicated that the materials remained stable at moderate temperatures, which could support their use in packaging and insulation products.

Biodegradability And Fire Performance

Under soil conditions, all tested composites biodegraded within 30 days. The materials also performed better in fire tests than EPS. They achieved the UL 94 V-1 classification, meaning that the composites self-extinguished within a specified period after the ignition source was removed.

These findings indicate that locally produced mycelium composites could offer a circular, bio-based alternative to synthetic protective packaging. However, the researchers note that production processes require further development before commercial adoption. Future work will need to address manufacturing scale, processing consistency and performance optimisation.

Source: EurekAlert!
Photo: Davide Puddu