Characterization and Physical Properties of Mycelium Films Obtained from Wild Fungi: Natural Materials for Potential Biotechnological Applications

Fresh basidiomes of species belonging to the genera Aurantiporus, Ganoderma, Lentinus, and Panus species were collected from a cloud forest patch located in a natural protected area. Tissue portions of the fresh basidiomes were excised and grown in axenic culture with potato dextrose medium at 27 degrees C obtaining six strains. Additionally, a commercial strain of Pleurotus ostreatus was included for comparison with previous works. Mycelium films were obtained and morpho-anatomic characterized considering the main features. After that, the films were dried at room temperature and pressed at 7.5 g/cm(2). SEM images were taken with a scanning electron microscope, and mechanical and thermo gravimetric analyses were carried out. The tensile modulus values obtained vary between 3.5 and 128.8 MPa and the tensile strength values between 0.27 and 1.5 MPa. The density was not uniform and is not related to the mechanical performance. The Maximum decomposition temperature of the mycelium films was reached at around 300 degrees C. The results showed significant differences in physic-mechanical behavior of mycelium films obtained with different fungal species, some of them with promissory characteristics for biotechnological applications.

Automated summary

Different fungal species were used to prepare mycelium films, showing significant differences in mechanical properties and suggesting potential biotechnological applications for some species.