We explore the development and applications of titania oxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticle‐functionalized mycelia derived from Mucor rouxii and Rhizopus oryzae as multifunctional, biodegradable scaffolds, the mechanical properties of which can be tuned postgrowth by judicious choice of drying methods. Analyses of spatial heterogeneity within the mycelial mat revealed opportunities for mechanical tailoring, with scaffold performance demonstrating a strong dependency on the drying process parameters. Conventional freezing at −44°C produced thicker, more consolidated mats, while cryogenic freezing at −196°C caused tearing and disruption. Air drying (25°C) and oven drying (90°C) increased stiffness and load‐bearing capacity, highlighting the importance of postgrowth processing in optimizing structure. TiO 2 functionalization enhanced thermal stability, delaying degradation by ≈100 °C, and improved surface hydrophobicity and oleophilicity. Although the scaffolds showed excellent UV‐B blocking potential, UPF values remained below those of modified textiles. Technical extensions of the study demonstrated that melanin‐rich fungi ( Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea ) further improved ultraviolet protection, indicating that further improvement is possible in future studies. These findings represent the first comprehensive demonstration of Mucorales ‐derived mycelia as tunable, sustainable scaffolds for advanced material applications.
Afolayan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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