Assessing the Suitability of Two Tree Species for Mycelium-bound Composite Development Using Twelve White-Rot Fungi

Mycelium-bound composites are a promising alternative to conventional materials due to their biodegradability and sustainability. The fungal growth and colonization efficiency depend on substrates, which affects the feasibility of using different wood species as fungal growth media. This study investigated the growth performance of twelve fungal species (Daedalea quercina, Trametes versicolor, Trametes suaveolens, Ganoderma sessile, Ganoderma adspersum, Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma applanatum, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Fomes fomentarius, Stereum hirsutum, Fomitiporia robusta) on European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Red Oak (Quercus rubra) substrates, using both falcon tube and bag incubation systems. Fungal growth was monitored over three weeks in falcon tubes to assess mycelial growth rates. Additionally, a bag incubation experiment was conducted. The final mycelium-bound materials were shaped using molds and then heat-treated. The findings indicate that beech supports fungal growth more effectively than oak. Most species reach approximately 80 mm in three weeks. In contrast, oak exhibited limited fungal colonization. Only Daedalea quercina and Stereum hirsutum colonize successfully. Additionally, results from falcon tube experiments correlated well with bag incubation outcomes. It implies that small-scale screening can be used as a predictive tool for larger-scale composite production. This study emphasizes the importance of substrate selection in mycelium-bound composite production. The superior fungal colonization on beech suggests that beech is a more ideal substrate for mycelium-bound composite applications. Future research should explore alternative hardwood substrates and mechanical properties of fungal composites to enhance their feasibility for sustainable material development.     «

Mycelium-bound composites are a promising alternative to conventional materials due to their biodegradability and sustainability. The fungal growth and colonization efficiency depend on substrates, which affects the feasibility of using different wood species as fungal growth media. This study investigated the growth performance of twelve fungal species (Daedalea quercina, Trametes versicolor, Trametes suaveolens, Ganoderma sessile, Ganoderma adspersum, Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma applanatum...     »