Mycelium Biocomposites Produced by Using Wheat Straw and Hemp Fiber

Abstract

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is a frequently preferred packaging material due to its durability, lightness and affordable cost. However, its low density makes recycling not preferred for economic reasons, and due to its non-biodegradable nature, it causes high amounts of plastic pollution in the environment. Therefore, many countries have started to ban EPS packaging products. EPS needs to be replaced with bio-based and biodegradable alternatives to reduce environmental impact. Since mycelium-based materials are completely bio-based and biodegradable, they can be presented as a strong candidate for EPS packaging with their dimensionally stable foam structure. However, material properties still need to be improved. By changing the type and size of natural fibers used as medium, the end product properties of mycelium-based biocomposites can be adjusted and improved. In this study, completely bio-based and biodegradable biocomposite foam products were produced using Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium, hemp fiber and wheat straw. For the first time, the effects of adding hemp fiber and wheat straw separately, together, and in different sizes to Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium on the structural, mechanical, thermal, morphological, water absorption, and flammability properties of materials have been characterized. Depending on the substrate type, the compression strength ranged from 21 to 30 kPa, while water absorption varied between 147% and 348%. The materials exhibited temperature resistance up to 234-552°C. No ignition was observed in samples containing hemp during the combustion test lasting up to 90 seconds. Furthermore, in the improvement of product properties a synergistic effect was identified when hemp and wheat straw were used together and it has been shown that mycelium-based biocomposites have the potential as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based and non-biodegradable polymers.

Keywords

• Mycelium Biocomposites
• Agricultural Residues
• Wheat Straw
• Hemp Fiber
• Sustainable Bio-based Biodegradable Foam Packaging
• Circular Economy.

Buğday Samanı ve Kenevir Lifi ile Üretilen Miselyum Biyokompozitleri

Abstract

Genleştirilmiş polistiren (EPS) köpük, dayanıklılığı, hafifliği ve uygun maliyeti nedeniyle sıklıkla tercih edilen bir ambalaj malzemesidir. Bununla birlikte düşük yoğunluğu, geri dönüşümünün ekonomik sebeplerle tercih edilmemesine yol açmakta ve doğada bozunmayan yapısı nedeniyle çevrede yüksek miktarda plastik kirliliğine sebep olmaktadır. Bundan dolayı, birçok ülke EPS ambalaj ürünlerini yasaklamaya başlamıştır. Çevresel etkiyi azaltmak için EPS'nin biyo-esaslı ve biyobozunur alternatiflerle değiştirilmesi gerekmektedir. Miselyum esaslı malzemeler tamamen biyo-esaslı ve biyobozunur oldukları için, boyutsal kararlılığa sahip köpüğümsü yapısı ile EPS ambalaj için güçlü bir aday olarak sunulabilirler. Ancak, malzeme özelliklerinin halen geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir. Besiyeri olarak kullanılan doğal liflerin türü ve boyutu değiştirilerek, miselyum esaslı biyokompozitlerin son ürün özellikleri ayarlanabilir ve geliştirilebilir. Bu çalışmada, Pleurotus ostreatus miselyumu, kenevir lifi ve buğday samanı kullanılarak tamamen biyo-esaslı ve biyobozunur biyokompozit köpük ürünleri üretilmiştir. Bu doğal liflerin türünü ve boyutunu değiştirerek elde edilen biyokompozitlerin özellikleri incelenmiştir. Pleurotus ostreatus miselyumuna kenevir lifi ve buğday samanının ayrı ayrı ve birlikte ve farklı boyutlarda katılması ile malzemelerin yapısal, mekanik, ısıl, morfolojik, su emme ve yanıcılık özelliklerine etkisi ilk kez karakterize edilmiş olup besiyer çeşidine göre basma dayanımı 21-30 kPa, su emme %147-348 arasında değişmiş, 234-552 °C’ye kadar sıcaklık dayanımı göstermiş, 90 saniyeye kadar süren yanma testinde kenevir içeren numunelerde tutuşma görülmemiş olup kenevir ve buğday samanının birlikte kullanılması ürün özelliklerinin geliştirilmesinde sinerjistik etki tespit edilmiştir. Miselyum esaslı biyokompozitlerin petrol esaslı ve doğada bozunmayan polimerlere sürdürülebilir bir alternatif olarak güçlü bir potansiyel taşıdığı gösterilmiştir.

Keywords

• Miselyum Biyokompozit
• Tarım Atıkları
• Buğday Samanı
• Kenevir Lifi
• Sürdürülebilir Biyo-esaslı Biyobozunur Köpük Ambalaj
• Döngüsel Ekonomi.

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