The Might of Mycelium Might Just Change the World!
Figure 1: Mycelium, the vegetative constituent of mushrooms. Credit: Tobi Kellner / CC BY-SA
Mushrooms have been utilized by humans dating back as far as 9,000 years ago when these fungi were used for their hallucinogenic attributes [1]. Today, in addition to being a popular pizza topping and a prominent meat substitute, they also possess the key to a multitude of wide-ranging benefits. Recently, scientists have discovered novel applications for the vegetative constituent of mushrooms, called mycelium.
Mycelium mimics a mushroom’s root system since fungi lack the familiar flora foundation. It consists of a bundle of fiber-like hyphae and protrudes from the base of a mushroom. Not only is growing mycelium a carbon-negative process, meaning it reduces the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide, it is also zero-waste and requires little water.
Mycelium cultivation is a rapid procedure in which the reproductive part of a mushroom develops into an intricate network of branching hyphae. The result is both durable and renewable. A panacea of green goods, mycelium can produce eco-friendly building materials, adhesives, biodegradable styrofoam substitutes, cleaning products, medicine, biofuels, and even leather alternatives.
In the case of architecture, the mycelium is grown in molds, where it then self-assembles into the appropriate shape. “Mycotecture” is currently used to create construction materials that are sturdy and cost-efficient [2].
Figure 2: Packaging corners made from MycoBond, a material that uses mycelium to turn waste into biodegradable packaging. Credit: mycobond (via flickr). Reprinted under CC BY-ND 2.0.
Styrofoam, another term for expanded polystyrene, currently presents a major environmental issue. According to the EPA, 25% of styrofoam products end up in landfills. Mycelium-based packaging provides a possible sustainable alternative. There are many companies and individuals that are beginning to expose this ingenious idea to the world. For instance, Eben Bayer, co-founder of Ecovative Design, discovered MycoBond, a material that uses mycelium to turn waste into packaging corners [3]. Ecovative Design also uses mycelium for a flame retardant and as an adhesive for wall paneling. Mushroom® Packaging is a product of Ecovative Design that utilizes mycelium biofabrication to be used in place of styrofoam [4]
Mycelium may prove revolutionary in the medical field as well. Specific substances in mycelium make it beneficial for certain treatments [5]. Researchers have also found that some mycelium when injected with a pathogen, may potentially be a remedy for specific microbes [2].
One particularly unexpected implementation of mycelium comes in the form of mushroom leather. Ranching demands 50% of US water usage and 30% of US land, yet only 30% of the resulting hide can be made into leather. Mycelium leather juxtaposes these statistics since it needs little water and land to grow. In addition, it takes 3 months to create the same amount of cowhide leather as it takes to grow mycelium leather in just 2 weeks. One company, Bolt Threads, has taken full advantage of the powers of mycelium by creating Mylo, a mycelium material comparable to leather [6]. Since the American leather industry is worth $200 billion and outputs 23 billion square feet of leather yearly, a viable replacement will undoubtedly transform the industry [7].
Mycelium already holds extensive potential in such a wide range of fields that there is no question about it: the might of mycelium will change the world.
References
[1] N. Wing, C. Gregoire. (2017, Dec. 6). What We Really Know About Psychedelic Mushrooms [Online]. Available: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/psychedelic-mushrooms-facts_n_6083436
[2] K. Hugo. (2016, Jul. 13). Surprising New Uses for Mushrooms, From Houses to Packaging [Online]. Available: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/07/mushroom-surprising-uses-building-material-medicines-fungi/#close
[3] Are Mushrooms the New Plastic?, July 2010. Accessed on: Dec. 19, 2019. [Video file]. Available: https://www.ted.com/talks/eben_bayer_are_mushrooms_the_new_plastic?
[4] E. Bayer. (2019, Jul. 1). The Mycelium Revolution Is upon Us [Online]. Available: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-mycelium-revolution-is-upon-us/
[5] H. Rathore, S. Prasad, M. Kapri, A. Tiwari, S. Sharma. (2019, May). Medicinal importance of mushroom mycelium: Mechanisms and applications. Journal of Functional Foods. Volume 56, pgs. 182-193. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-functional-foods/vol/56/suppl/C
[6] E. Anzilotti. (2018, Apr. 24) This Very Realistic Fake Leather Is Made From Mushrooms, Not Cows [Online]. Available: https://www.fastcompany.com/40562633/this-leather-is-made-from-mushrooms-not-cows
[7] Indie Bio - Demo Day #3 - MycoWorks, Jul 21, 2016. Accessed on: Dec. 19, 2019. [Video file]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZQGeQp4v-4
