Mycelium from wild mushrooms and local agro-waste from Sri Lanka turned into sustainable alternatives to synthetic packaging materials

A research team led by scientists from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology has developed innovative mycelium-based composites (MBCs) using locally sourced fungal strains and lignocellulosic waste materials. The study introduces a sustainable approach to replacing synthetic protective packaging materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), which are associated with significant environmental pollution.

Researchers utilized two species of wild mushrooms, Ganoderma orbiforme and Lentinus squarrosulus, isolated from Sri Lanka, in combination with locally available underutilized agricultural residues, including coconut sawdust, mango sawdust, and coir pith. Fungal mycelium was used to naturally glue these materials together, creating light and sturdy composite structures.

The developed composites were tested for their physical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. The results showed that some material combinations, especially those made from coir pith and coconut sawdust, performed as well as or even better than expanded polystyrene (EPS). In particular, one composite showed a compressive strength of 0.65 MPa while maintaining low density, similar to cork and lightweight foam materials.

From an environmental perspective, the materials performed very well. All the composites were fully biodegradable and broke down within 30 days under soil conditions. They also showed better fire resistance than EPS, meeting the UL-94 V1 standard, which means they can self-extinguish after ignition.

Water absorption varies depending on the raw materials used, with coir pith-based composites showing improved resistance to moisture. Thermal tests further confirmed that the materials remain stable at moderate temperatures, making them suitable for packaging and insulation uses.

Overall, the study shows that both the choice of fungal strain and the type of raw material strongly affect the final material properties. Among the tested options, composites made using Ganoderma orbiforme with coir pith and coconut sawdust showed the best performance for protective packaging applications.

This work demonstrates the potential of using locally available biological waste materials to produce sustainable alternatives to synthetic packaging materials, in line with circular bioeconomy principles. The study also highlights that further work on scaling up production and improving processing methods will be important for commercial use and wider adoption.

See the Article:

Novel mycelium-based composites with enhanced physico-mechanical properties, as sustainable alternatives for packaging applications

DOI Link:

https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2026.2697582