Decayed woody material from mushroom cultivation is one of the most important waste materials in Japan, as almost 300 tonnes are released each year. It is nearly impossible to reuse these resources, because of the damage to its original form and deterioration of its strength. These decayed woody materials could be used to create a valid chemical product from the main components' decomposition: this could reduce waste material and its environmental impact, especially in developing countries. This article focuses on the liquefied portion of decayed woody materials that is released from mushroom cultivation. By analysis of the products from major woody holocellulose (i.e. cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin, we found the same ratios of weight loss in decayed woody samples, compared with the original woody samples. All the main components of the decayed wood were partially degraded. The crystallinities within woody samples were decreased with sufficient long-term decay. After these decayed woody samples were liquefied and compared with the original samples, we conducted liquefaction tests using ethylene glycol, glycerine, and the catalyst sulfuric acid. The ratios of residue during liquefaction showed that the liquefied characteristics of decayed woody material released from mushroom cultivation were equal to or less than that of the original wood. In addition, the results as determined by a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the liquefied ratios of decayed woody samples could be equal to or higher than those original woody samples without decay.

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In this study, we investigated the decayed behavior of waste woody samples caused by three kinds of white-rot fungi known as Coriolus consors, Coriolus hirsutus and Ischnoderma resinosum, which were selected to prepare and develop the decayed woody samples from original woody biomasses. After 8 weeks of decaying, the weights of all decayed woody samples had decreased. From the results of analysis of the major woody holocellulose and lignin, the same ratios of weight decrement in all decayed woody samples were found when compared with their original woody sample. It seemed that these components had degraded simultaneously. The crystallinities of woody samples had increased even though woody samples were decayed. It was thought that the amorphous parts of cellulose and hemicellulose were decomposed preferentially. We tried to use these decayed woody samples as samples for the liquefaction experiment. It is observed that the decayed woody samples may be liquefied to be the same as their original woody samples basing on the molecular weight distribution, chemical structure and other chemical parameters of the liquefied contents.

The aim of this study is to investigate the epoxy resin prepared from liquefied decayed woody materials after mushroom cultivation, in order to widen the applicable range of liquefaction technology. Liquefaction technology is valid replacement of fossil fuel and serving the Sustainable Development Goals. Decayed materials have less usage due to the damage to its original form and the deterioration of its strength. However, decay refers to decomposition of woody composition of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which are easy to be liquefied. Decayed wood woody material was first liquefied by reaction with polyethylene glycol and glycerin. Then epoxy function groups were introduced to the liquefied wood by the glycidyl etherification. The synthesized epoxy resins from decayed woody sample have the similar chemical and technological properties with these from control woody samples. This reality indicates that decayed woody materials have potentially to be used for a wide range of applications including binding and contribute to construct sustainable development society.