09 Jan 2024 --- Researchers from Shinshu University, Japan, have found a simple way of obtaining mycelial fibers, the cells found in fruiting mushroom bodies, by bleaching them under sunlight to keep their mycelial structures intact. The “mycelial pulp” can be used as an environmentally friendly material for making leather and packaging owing to its “excellent” formability. A recent ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering paper, published in November, provides a simple and effective way of obtaining mycelial pulp and fibers from mushrooms without destroying their structure. “Mushrooms, previously known primarily as a food resource, will now be utilized in everyday household items, allowing people to choose products that are safe, reliable and environmentally friendly,” says assistant professor Satomi Tagawa from the Faculty of Engineering at Shinshu University, who led the study.
