Mycofiber Production Using Fungal Mycelium and Agricultural Byproducts

Mycofiber Production Using Fungal Mycelium and Agricultural Byproducts

Gyung-Sik You1, Yong-Hyeon Jeong2, Hyun-Jae Shin1,2*

1Department of Biochemical Engineering, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea

2Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea

E-mail: shinhj@chosun.ac.kr

Filament yarns made from synthetic materials and natural fibers have negative impacts on the environment and human health due to harmful emissions during production and decomposition. To address these issues, researchers have developed eco-friendly monofilament yarns using Ganoderma lucidum mycelium and cottonseed hulls through chemical treatments and wet spinning with environmentally friendly solvents. When using acidic solvents, the fibers swelled and showed an interconnected structure, and exhibited different mechanical properties depending on the type of acidic solvent used. The mechanical strength and flexibility of the monofilament yarn show promise for use in the textile industry. In this study, we have used several fungal mycelia and agricultural byproducts to prepare environmentally friendly and sustainable mycelium fibers. Some physicochemical properties are measured and several limitations are discussed.