Earticle

This research explores the initial stages of converting fibrous mycelium pulp into non-woven fabric, starting from domestically available varieties of mushrooms and mycelium mats. The study aims to develop novel materials for textile or leather manufacturing to mitigate environmental issues associated with conventional fiber production processes. The bleaching process, modified from Nakauchi et al. (2023), utilized bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), and sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4) to produce a bleached suspension. Strains such as Pleurotus ostreatus, Flammulina velutipes, Schizophyllum commune, and Trametes orientalis were used, which were converted into a bleached suspension. Each properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM&EDX), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and colorimeter. Analysis indicated that bleaching with H2O2 exhibited superior bleaching capabilities, although generally, the bleaching process induced alterations in the mycelium structure, as confirmed through surface analysis.

Recently, mycelium has been getting attention as an alternative for packaging, building materials, meat, and even leather in global environmental needs. Mycelium mats should be accompanied by chemical treatments to be used in industrial materials. The coating process is the most important in maintaining properties and quality, and various coating solutions can be considered such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), and polylactic acid (PLA). These coating solutions may not only increase mechanical properties but also control a hydrophobicity level or enhance a waterproof function. In addition, it can also add a variety of features depending on usage such as enhancing thermal stability or elasticity. This study explores various coating solutions for alternative products by comparing the characteristics of treated mycelium mats which can be used to manufacture prototypes of mycelium materials for eco-friendly.