Mycelium Composites and their Biodegradability: An Exploration on the Disintegration of Mycelium-Based Materials in Soil

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Van Wylick ◽  
Elise Elsacker ◽  
Li Li Yap ◽  
Eveline Peeters ◽  
Lars de Laet
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Process ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Experimental Methodology ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Synthetic Materials ◽  
Environmental Properties ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Hemp Fibres

In the search for environmentally friendly materials, mycelium composites have been labelled as high potential bio-based alternatives to fossil-based and synthetic materials in various fields. Mycelium-based materials are praised for their biodegradability, however no scientific research nor standard protocols exist to substantiate this claim. This research therefore aims to develop an appropriate experimental methodology as well as to deliver a novel proof of concept of the material’s biodegradability. The applied methodology was adapted from a soil burial test under predefined laboratory conditions and hands-on preliminary experiments. The mycelium composite samples were placed in a nylon netting and then buried in potting soil with a grain size of 2 mm for different time-intervals ranging between one and sixteen weeks. Results showed that mycelium, which acted as the binder, had the tendency to decompose first. A weight loss of 43% was witnessed for inert samples made of the fungal strain Ganoderma resinaceum and hemp fibres after sixteen weeks. The disintegration rate in this method however depended on various parameters which were related to the material’s composition, its production method and the degradation process which involved the used equipment, materials and environmental properties.

scholarly journals Degradation of Polyfurfuryl Alcohol-based Biopolymer by Soil-burial and Photo-degradation Methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyaragini Singh ◽  
K. Dinesh Kumar ◽  
Rakesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Ring Opening ◽  
Furan Ring ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Casting Method ◽  
Photo Degradation ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Polyfurfuryl Alcohol ◽  
Degraded Samples

Abstract Recently, polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) based material has been gaining attention. Despite its use as an intermediate in various industries, the degradation process of PFA has rarely been reported. In this study, neat PFA (PF) and polylactic acid (PLA) incorporated PFA (PF-PL) based thermoset biopolymers were prepared by casting method. The degradation of the prepared biopolymer specimens was carried out under environmental conditions via soil-burial test and photo-degradation method for 21-months. The extent of degradation of PF and PF-PL was assessed by evaluating weight loss, structural and morphological change by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Weight loss percentage in case of photo-degraded samples was found to be much higher compared to soil buried specimens. SEM micrographs showed a blistered surface with visible cracks on the surface of soil buried and photo-degraded samples. FTIR spectra of photo-degraded samples showed a new peak at 673 cm-1 indicating the furan ring opening during the degradation process. Significant variation in mechanical properties of PF and PF-PL specimens after soil-burial test also indicated biodegradable nature of the biopolymers. Approximately 45% and 63% of loss in tensile strength was obtained in PF and PF-PL soil buried specimens, respectively. All the obtained data revealed the fragmentation of biopolymers, hence supporting the biodegradable nature of PFA-based biopolymer.

Mediators of Estimates of Brief Time Intervals in Elderly Domiciled Males

1986 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Licht ◽  
John B. Morganti ◽  
Milton F. Nehrke ◽  
Gary Heiman
Keyword(s):  
Production Method ◽  
Passage Time ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Value Of Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Time To Death ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
Time Estimates

Conflicting interpretations questioning whether brief intervals of real time are perceived as passing more or less rapidly with increasing age have been reported. Reasons for these inconsistent results lie in semantic confusions, in variations in methodology, and in the effects of other mediating variables. The present study examined relationships between age, value of time over both the short and the long term, perceived time to death, self-perceived activity levels, and estimates of brief time intervals in a sample of older institutionalized males. The production method was used to obtain the estimates of time passage. Time intervals were increasingly underestimated with advancing age, indicating that time units are shorter with increasing age. While a number of other variables were interrelated, the only other factor consistently related to time estimates was the short-term value of time. Implications for future research and for interventions in institutional settings are discussed.

Soil burial test for poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)-graft-polycaprolactone

2005 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 1064-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Soo Park ◽  
Hun-Sik Kim ◽  
Mal-Nam Kim ◽  
Jin-San Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Poly Ethylene

scholarly journals Soil-Biodegradable Plastic Mulches Undergo Minimal in-Soil Degradation in a Perennial Raspberry System after 18 Months

Horticulturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Markus Flury ◽  
Carol Miles ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Lisa DeVetter
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Soil Exposure

Soil-biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are made from biodegradable materials that can be bio-based, synthetic, or a blend of these two types of polymers, which are designed to degrade in soil through microbial activities. The purpose of BDMs is to reduce agricultural plastic waste by replacing polyethylene (PE) mulch, which is not biodegradable. Most studies have evaluated the breakdown of BDMs within annual production systems, but knowledge of BDM breakdown in perennial systems is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the deterioration and degradation of BDMs in a commercial red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) production system. Deterioration was low (≤11% percent soil exposure; PSE) for all mulches until October 2017 (five months after transplanting, MAT). By March 2018 (10 MAT), deterioration reached 91% for BDMs but remained low for PE mulch (4%). Mechanical strength also was lower for BDMs than PE mulch. In a soil burial test in the raspberry field, 91% of the BDM area remained after 18 months. In-soil BDM degradation was minimal, although the PSE was high. Since mulch is only applied once in a perennial crop production system, and the lifespan of the planting may be three or more years, it is worth exploring the long-term degradation of BDMs in perennial cropping systems across diverse environments.

Environmental Oxidative Degradation and Biodegradation of Eco-Benign Plastics

2013 ◽  
Vol 538 ◽  
pp. 146-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin De Tang ◽  
Jing Lun Zhou ◽  
Hai Rong Lu ◽  
Nian Feng Han
Keyword(s):  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Oxidative Degradation ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Linear Low Density Polyethylene ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Photo Degradation ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
Abiotic Oxidation

Polyethylene (PE) has found widespread use as a packaging material. Plastics waste disposal, as one of the serious environmental issues, has caused much criticism. The environmental oxidative- and bio- dual degradable linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) samples containing Eco-Benign Plastics (EBP) pro-oxidant additives were submitted to an investigation aimed at evaluating their preliminary oxidative degradation in natural environment or accelerated oven aging and their ultimate biodegradation in solid incubation substrate or soil composting conditions. Original and test samples submitted to abiotic oxidation including photo degradation and thermal degradation were characterized by means of FT-IR and GPC. Biodegradation test simulating soil burial and composting conditions reveals that the biodegradation degree exceeded 30%. The degradation process is accompanied by a dramatic change in the structural characteristics of the test samples. It is clear that LLDPE-EBP formulations are effective in promoting the oxidation and subsequent biodegradation of polyethylene in natural and soil environment.

Problems and Pitfalls in the Evaluation and Design of New Biocides for Plastics Applications*

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Kneale
Keyword(s):  
Test Methods ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Antibacterial Effects ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Biocidal Products ◽  
End Use

Many factors need to be considered in the design of new biocides for use in plastics applications. In Europe, biocides are now becoming more tightly regulated under the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD), and a significant data package needs to be provided not only for the registration of new actives, but also for existing biocides and biocidal formulations. A novel biocide must be compatible with the polymer matrix and must not adversely affect its physical properties. Once the issue of compatibility has been overcome, the antimicrobial efficacy of the biocide in the substrate should be established. Before selecting a test method to demonstrate such efficacy, it is necessary to consider whether the substrate should be pre-conditioned to simulate end use conditions, e.g. by leaching or artificial weathering. The final use of the product can also dictate the test protocol, e.g. a building membrane for ground contact should be evaluated using a soil burial test. Historically, biocides have been added to plastics to prevent their spoilage by fungal attack. Latterly, plastics with antibacterial effects have aroused much public interest. Advantages and disadvantages of traditional test methods will be discussed, and an alternative method for the evaluation of biocidal performance that is thought to be more representative of end use conditions will be presented.

Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Starch-Based Bioplastics

2016 ◽  
Vol 846 ◽  
pp. 673-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Aina Ismail ◽  
Syuhada Mohd Tahir ◽  
Yahya Norihan ◽  
Muhamad Firdaus Abdul Wahid ◽  
Nur Ezzati Khairuddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Synthesis And Characterization ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Thermal And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Starch Potato

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of plastic synthesized using bio-based starch. The method began with extraction of starch from chosen tubers with high content of starch; potato and yam. The samples were first grated, grinded and strained to obtain crude starch, which then centrifuged and rinsed to get pure starch. The starch was then reacted with hydrochloric acid to breakdown amylopectin to prevent the starch from becoming plastic-like. Finally, propan-1,2,3-triol was added as a plasticizer to increase the elasticity of the product. The chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the products were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), tensile strength tester and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR spectra of the product displayed the presence of O-H, C-H, C=O and C-O absorption peaks, which indicate the formation of bioplastic has already occured. The tensile strength obtained for potato and yam starch-based bioplastic are 0.6 MPa and 1.9 MPa, respectively. The result gained from TGA showed that 50% weight loss occurred at 250°C for potato and 310°C for yam-based plastic. The highly biodegradability of the plastic was proven using soil burial test, which observed the percentage of soil biodegradation for potato and yam-based bioplastic in 1 week duration is 43% and 26%, respectively. These bio-based plastics have exhibited good thermal and mechanical properties with high biodegradability that makes them a suitable alternative for the existing conventional plastics.

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