Mycelium fibers as new resource for environmental sustainability

Abstract

This study is to produce environmentally- friendly composite and know the potential and characterize the composite foam mycelia (root of mushroom) that use rice husk and wheat grain. Through this study, composite specimen of the foam using rice husk and wheat grain as reinforcement and mycelia (root of mycelium) as a matrix. Percentage impact on the physical properties of rice husk, microstructure and porosity were having been studied. There are three of specimen and different percentage: 50%RH 50%WS, 70% RH 30% WS and 30% RH 70% WS. This study was to determine whether the nature of the potential matrix of mycelia (root of mushroom) to replace the main source for the production of polystyrene. Rate of the density of the three specimens show a small different density. Based on the test of microscope scanning electron (SEM) on the three samples of each composition is percentage in each of the different sample. From this observation the percentage of element carbon found the highest of the three samples compared to other elements. After testing microscope scanning electron (SEM), apparent porosity tests on mycelia (root of mushroom) has been calculation. Each of specimens gets the average apparent porosity 66%, 55% and 58.7%.