Influence of wood species on the physical and mechanical performance of Ganoderma lucidum-based mycelium composites for sustainable packaging applications

This study addresses the need for a clearer understanding of how specific lignocellulosic substrates influence the performance of mycelium-based composites. Mycelium-based composites were prepared by combining Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) mycelium with sawdust from Quercus sp. (oak) and Fagus orientalis (oriental beech) using a molding process. The aim was to evaluate the effects of wood species on the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of these composites under controlled conditions. Physical properties (density), thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis, TGA), and mechanical performance (compressive strength) were evaluated, and morphological characteristics were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that substrate type significantly influences composite performance. Oak-Ganoderma lucidum (curtis) composites exhibited superior physical and mechanical properties compared with beech-Ganoderma lucidum (curtis) composites, with a density of 239 kg/m³ and a compressive strength of 0.20 MPa. SEM analysis revealed a filamentous network of tubular hyphae of varying diameters surrounding the wood cell walls, while TGA results indicated similar thermal degradation behavior for both composites.The developed mycelium-based composites exhibited properties comparable to expanded polystyrene (EPS), highlighting their potential as sustainable alternatives for packaging and insulation. Overall, this study demonstrates that substrate composition plays a governing role in determining material performance and informs the design of bio-based composites.