Citation :

Vidula Ganesh Waskar, Shrishail B. Anadinni, "Develop Process Property Relationships in the Mycelium Composite Block of Paper Pulp and Pleurotus Ostreatus," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 97-110, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I5P108

Abstract

This study of paper pulp-based Mycelium Composite Blocks developed using the Fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus establishes a process-property interrelationship framework to know a reproducible processing range for developing scalable bio-based components. A four-factor experimental design was used to control substrate moisture percentage, spawn loading, incubation temperature, and growth duration, while keeping other pulp preparation process parameters constant, such as particle size, sterilization time and temperature, relative humidity, and deactivation method. Optimum process fabrication parameter identified for substrate and fungi for mycelium growth are pulp–based mycelium composite blocks produced using Pleurotus Ostreatus, should be around 60% moisture input, 10% spawn by dry weight of substrate, incubation temperature range 25–28 °C, and around 30 days or before the fruiting body starts developing, which produced uniform colonization and strong interlocking of mycelium. Under these optimum conditions, the mean wet density decreased slightly from 906.9 ± 110.3 kg m⁻³ (Day 0) to 867.7 ± 104.4 kg m⁻³ (Day 30), indicating slight decomposition of the substratum for mycelial growth. The material exhibited approximately 20% shrinkage after deactivation. Mechanical testing yielded compressive strengths of 2.56 MPa for cylindrical specimens and 2.39 MPa for blocks, which are near the lower compressive strength of burnt clay bricks. Thermal conductivity yielded λ = 0.07 W/m·K, indicating a moderate insulation category, where increased density improved strength but reduced conductivity.

Keywords

Bio-Based Blocks, Mycelium Composite, Paper Pulp, Pleurotus Ostreatus, and Sustainable Materials.

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