Recent advances in
the field of biomaterials and an ever-growing
need to curb the alarming rate of pollution levels have led to the
utilization of biodegradable waste to fabricate sustainable materials
with tunable properties. The current study investigated the growth
kinetics and morphology of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) mycelium grown on different agricultural
wastes such as wheat bran, sugarcane, sawdust, and the mixture of
these substrates. Further, it delineated the fabrication process of
biodegradable “bioblocks” from such agricultural waste
using a green synthesis approach and mycelium P. ostreatus as a natural adhesive material. The fabricated bioblocks showed
excellent thermal stability, hydrophobic properties, and mechanical
strength. The compressive strength of these bioblocks was approximately
6.0–7.5 N/mm2, which is 5–6 times higher
than that of the routinely used polystyrene packaging material. These
properties of the bioblocks render them fit to replace the non-biodegradable
materials that are commonly used in packaging applications, wall paneling,
and filtration of toxic wastes.
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