Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Mycelium-Based Biofoams for Cushioning Materials

Abstract

This study investigated the development of mycelium-based biofoams as sustainable cushioning materials. Biofoams were cultivated using Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) and Lentinus squarrosulus (LS) on different sawdust substrates, including commercial wood sawdust (CC), surface wood sawdust (SW) and core wood sawdust (CW), and subjected to various pressing methods, including hand-packing (HP), cold pressing (CO) and hot pressing (HO). The growth rate, morphology, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, water resistance, water contact angle and cushion factor were evaluated. The results indicated that Lentinus squarrosulus exhibited faster growth rates (up to 14.37 mm/day) and produced biofoams with superior properties compared to Pleurotus ostreatus. CW sawdust generally resulted in biofoams with lower density (0.1-0.3 g/cm3), lower shrinkage (7.17-11.41%), and better shock absorption properties (cushion factor of 4.45-4.73). HO consistently produced biofoams with higher density (up to 0.31 g/cm3), improved mechanical strength (compression strength up to 0.53 MPa), and enhanced hydrophobicity (water contact angle up to 102.03?) but slightly reduced the shock absorption performance. Biofoam made from LS cultivated on CW sawdust and pressed using HP exhibited superior shock absorption properties, achieving a cushion factor of 4.45, comparable to expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. The findings demonstrated that certain combinations of mushroom species, sawdust types and pressing methods can optimize the performance of mycelium-based biofoams, making them viable for sustainable packaging applications. This study highlighted the potential of mycelium biofoams as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional packaging materials, thereby decreasing environmental impact and promoting a sustainable future.???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????? (Pleurotus ostreatus) ????????????? (Lentinus squarrosulus) ????????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? (CC) ??????????????? (SW) ??????????????? (CW) ????????????????????? ?????? ??????????????? (HP) ?????????????????????? (CO) ?????????????? (HO) ??????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????? ????????????????? ??????????????? ??????????? ????????????????? ???????????? ??????????????????????? (Cushion factor) ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????? 14.37 ?????????/??? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (0.1-0.3 ????/?????????????????) ??????????? (?????? 7.17-11.41) ??????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????? 4.45-4.73 ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (????????? 0.31 ????/?????????????????) ??????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????? 0.53 ?????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 102.03 ???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (LS CW-HP) ????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? 4.45 ??????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????