Trametes orientalis Mycelium Mat, Can Be Used as an Alternative to Elastomers?

Elastomer are elastic polymers that have many real-world applications, including functional films, architectural soundproofing, cable sheaths, shoe absorbers, packaging, cushioning and rubber. During production and degradation, elastomers produce harmful substance such as irritating fumes, which affect the environment. To replace elastomers, mycelium mats were produced by gamma-ray mutated mycelium of Trametes orientalis (ToGM) on a substrate composed of oak sawdust and rice bran, followed by surface modification including acetylation, benzoylation, silane treatment, and physical/chemical treatments such as corn-zein coating and thermal pressing. As a result, three types of elastomer analogs were prepared: acetylation-based sample (ACHP), benzoylation-based sample (BCHP), and silane-based sample (SCHP). The densities of ACHP, BCHP, and SCHP were 1.32, 1.38, and 1.35 g/cm 3 , respectively, and the young’s modulus was 2.32, 2.44, and 2.06 MPa, which were found to be the elastomeric region of the material property chart. In addition, the surface properties of the ToGM elastomers were hydrophilic, as confirmed by water contact angle, and the thermal stability was generally stable up to 200°C With further tuning of the properties, mycelial elastomers can function as sustainable elastomer substitutes in some industrial and daily life applications, while reducing the environmental pollution caused by conventional production processes and disposal.