INTRODUCTION: Sustainable bio-based materials are essential for addressing the environmental challenges associated with petroleum-derived products. Filamentous fungi, often described as nature’s recyclers, possess a remarkable ability to decompose organic waste and return valuable nutrients to the environment. During growth, filamentous fungi form microfibrillar networks known as mycelium. Mycelium-based materials have attracted increasing attention across diverse application areas due to their renewability, low environmental impact, and tunable properties. Furthermore, the fungal cell wall contains biopolymers such as chitin and chitosan, which represent promising building blocks for the development of circular and sustainable materials, particularly in biomedical applications. This research explores the potential of food-waste-derived mycelium materials for use in biomedical applications.

 METHODS: Two fungal species belonging to the Ascomycota and Mucoromycota phyla were cultivated on food waste (bread residues) in bubble column bioreactors, and the process was subsequently scaled up. The harvested biomass was subjected to alkaline treatment to isolate fungal cell wall materials containing chitin– glucan (Ascomycota) and chitin–chitosan (Mucoromycota), respectively. Aerogels were fabricated from the extracted cell wall materials via acid-assisted gelation, followed by freezing and freeze-drying. The resulting aerogels were evaluated for cytotoxicity toward fibroblasts at different concentrations using a leachate-based MTT assay. Antibacterial activity was assessed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. 

RESULTS: Both fungal strains were successfully cultivated under submerged conditions, resulting in well-dispersed fungal biomass. Alkali-insoluble fractions corresponding to fungal cell wall materials were efficiently recovered and subsequently used for aerogel fabrication. Cytotoxicity assessment revealed greater than 80% cell viability relative to the control when fibroblasts were exposed to aerogel leachates at concentrations up to 2500 μg/mL for 48 h. Furthermore, the addition of aerogels at this concentration to Müller–Hinton broth significantly inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Bacillus megaterium (Gram-positive). Figure 1: Food waste derived mycelium-based aerogels for biomedical applications 

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: Aerogels were successfully fabricated from fungal cell wall materials derived from food-waste-grown fungal biomass. The resulting aerogels exhibited good biocompatibility and antibacterial activity, highlighting their potential as renewable and circular biomaterials for biomedical applications.

Stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) are rapidly expanding UV-curing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, recognized for their high resolution and processing speed. In parallel, itaconic acid–based resins have emerged as promising UV-curable formulations, offering high renewable content, compatibility with established diluents, and structural versatility through facile molecular modification. Despite these advantages, the end-of-life strategies remain insufficiently investigated, hindering integration into sustainable manufacturing frameworks. Here, we present 3D-printable disulfide-based covalent adaptable networks (CANs) derived from itaconic acid. The synthesized unsaturated polyester resins were readily formulated with multiple commercial diluents. The resulting systems were evaluated with respect to printability and thermomechanical performance, resulting in 3D printed materials with a glass transition temperature range between 53 and 76 °C and elongation at break between 93 and 142%. The recyclability of the manufactured parts was evaluated through three consecutive cycles of thermal reprocessing or grinding to be utilized as component in new resin formulations. Our findings highlight the potential of disulfide-containing itaconate networks as a versatile platform for next-generation light processable AM resins. 

Mycelium-based materials are promising environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic materials. Utilizing industrial fruit and vegetable waste as a low-cost substrate presents a potential pathway for large-scale fungal biomass (FB) production, thereby facilitating the production of mycelium-based materials. In this study, carrot pomace (CP) was used as a substrate for cultivating two filamentous fungi, Rhizopus delemar and Aspergillus oryzae (AO), in bench-scale bioreactors. Harvested solids containing mycelium and CP residues were processed into hybrid paper, mycelium-based paper (MBP), through a wet-laid process. To obtain flexible paper, MBP was then post-treated with glycerol as a plasticizer. Scanning electron microscopy images of the recovered solids showed an interconnected thin microfibrillar structure in AO, whereas Rhizopus delemar demonstrated shorter microfibers with larger diameters. The cross-sectional images of AO-MBP showed a more entangled network structure, with a smaller average pore size (36 μm) compared to RD-MBP (45.7 μm), indicating a more compact microstructure. The tensile strength of AO-MBP was 49 MPa, while RD-MBP displayed a lower tensile strength of 32 MPa. Post-treatment with glycerol reduced average pore size and tensile strength; however, elongation at break was enhanced by 60% for both AO-MBP and RD-MBP compared to untreated samples, resulting in a flexible material suitable for use as wrapping paper. The mechanical properties of MBP were comparable to those of commercial paper products, according to the material property charts. This paves the way for a fungal biorefinery concept for valorizing CP to novel paper-like products with potential applications in packaging.

INTRODUCTION: Growing healthcare demands are driving the integration of bioeconomic principles into medical innovation. Biodegradable textile scaffolds fabricated from bio-derived poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(3- hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB)) offer a promising platform for bone regeneration. The use of eggshell-derived ceramic coatings provides a resource-efficient approach to enhance the material’s osteoconductivity. 

METHODS: Braided textile scaffolds were fabricated from melt-spun bio-derived P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB) monofilaments1. Hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesised from waste eggshells and applied as a surface coating onto the scaffolds. Scaffold morphology and coating coverage were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto uncoated and HA-coated scaffolds to assess cytocompatibility. Cell viability was evaluated after 2 and 3 weeks of culture using a WST assay. 

RESULTS: Braided P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds were successfully fabricated, yielding uniform and reproducible architecture (Fig. 1 a- b). Eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite was homogeneously deposited onto the polymer fibres, as confirmed by SEM, which revealed a continuous ceramic coating and increased surface roughness compared to uncoated scaffolds (Fig. 1c-d). WST assays demonstrated sustained cell viability on both uncoated and HA-coated scaffolds after 2 and 3 weeks of culture (Fig 1 e). HA-coated scaffolds showed comparable or slightly enhanced metabolic activity relative to uncoated controls, indicating good cytocompatibility of the ceramic coating

 DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: Eggshell- derived hydroxyapatite was successfully deposited onto braided P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds without compromising cell viability over 2–3 weeks. These results support the use of bio-derived polymer textiles and waste-based ceramic coatings as a cytocompatibility and resource-efficient platform for bone tissue engineering.

Growing environmental concerns associated with synthetic materials have intensified the demand for sustainable alternatives derived from renewable sources. In addition, the increasing global population has led to a surge in the demand for food products including juice, resulting in the generation of substantial quantities of byproducts, which are organic waste with the potential for valorization. This study investigated the bioconversion of carrot pomace (CP), waste generated in the juice industry, into fungal biomass to produce mycelium-based foams. Filamentous fungus (Aspergillus oryzae) was cultivated on carrot pomace through a submerged process in a bubble column bioreactor. The analysis of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the presence of the fungal mycelium and CP residues in the material recovered from the bioreactor. This material was mixed with water, and the suspension was subjected to different grinding cycles in an ultrafine grinder, and mycelium-based foams were then formed via freeze-molding and freeze-drying. The resulting foams exhibited an average density of 21.1 kg/m3, with compressive resistance values of 5.8 kPa at 10% deformation and 20.5 kPa at 30% deformation. These mechanical properties are comparable to those of commercial lightweight foams, as indicated by the Ashby material plot. These findings demonstrate the potential of mycelium-based foams as an alternative to synthetic materials, contributing to waste valorization and development of environmentally friendly materials.

The limitations of traditional non-absorbable implants, such as high immune rejection rates and insufficient osteoinductive properties, have driven the search for alternative strategies to improve bone regeneration. This study explores the synthesis of nanosized β-carbonated hydroxyapatite (β-CHA) derived from eggshell waste and its coating onto 3D bioabsorbable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) textile scaffolds, fabricated using weft-knitting techniques for bone regeneration applications. The β-CHA integration within the scaffolds was analysed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), microscopic imaging, water contact angle measurements, pH monitoring, and alizarin red staining. Results confirmed that the precipitation method effectively produces β-CHA particles, achieving a stable pH range of 6.8 to 7, suitable for biological compatibility. The study further emphasizes the critical role of pore interconnectivity and macroporosity in scaffold design, validating knitting as a viable textile technique for creating tailored, structurally robust scaffolds. These findings highlight the potential of repurposing food waste, particularly eggshells, in combination with textile manufacturing to develop active scaffolds that support enhanced bone tissue engineering outcomes. 

Food-waste-derived bio-based materials offer both environmental and economic advantages. We utilised waste lemon peel as substrate to generate value-added materials from chitosan-rich fungal cell wall of Rhizopus delemar and purified cellulose from pre-treated solid residues. Nutrient from lemon peel was used for fungal cultivation and the cell wall was isolated from the obtained fungal biomass using mild alkali treatment. The fungal cell wall was used to develop a hydrogel through protonation of amino groups in chitosan by lactic acid addition. This hydrogel served as spinning dope to produce fungal monofilaments using dry gel spinning with a tensile strength of 85 MPa. Simultaneously, cellulose purified from pre-treated solid residues, converted to micro-nanocellulose suspension via mechanical fibrillation and underwent dry gel spinning to produce cellulose monofilaments with a tensile strength of 298 MPa. Cellulose fraction was analysed using XRD, FTIR, TGA, and elemental analyses. The micro- and nanoscale structures of fibrillated cellulose were verified by SEM and AFM. The findings of this study demonstrate a novel holistic valorisation approach for lemon peel waste as a resource for bio-based monofilaments, which could be used as alternatives to commercial fibres in textiles.

Despite being considered a premium material, leather poses both environmental and ethical issues. Thus, sustainable alternatives such as vegan leather are in high demand. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to produce vegan leather using vegetable tannins and fungi grown on bread waste. Fungal cultivation was carried out in a bubble column bioreactor using nutrients extracted from bread as substrate. To obtain tanned biomass, the biomass was subjected to vegetable tanning (using Tara, Myrobalan, Chestnut, and Indusol ATO tannins). A mild alkali treatment isolated the fibrous cell wall material from fungal biomass. Different composite sheets were prepared by wet-laying the tanned biomass and cell wall material and placing them in a multilayer arrangement. The composites were post-treated with glycerol and a bio-based binder to improve their mechanical properties. Myrobalan-tanned biomass composites after glycerol and bio-based binder post-treatments had the highest flexibility of 14.8% elongation at break, and Tara-tanned biomass composites had the highest tensile strength of 20.5 MPa. Ashby’s chart demonstrates the relationship between the sheets produced and natural leather. SEM was used to demonstrate the softer and smoother morphologies of the Chestnut and Indusol ATO-tanned composite sheets after post-treatment. Overall, this study presents multilayer fungal biocomposites as a promising vegan alternative leather.

Protein extraction from wheat bran is challenging due to its multi-layer and fiber-rich structure. Here, opening aleurone cells, via dry and wet milling, their combination and a novel ultrafine milling, and its effect on wheat bran's protein recovery using the alkaline solubilization/isoelectric precipitation and protein structure, functionality, and phytate content were investigated. Wet milling and ultrafine milling improved protein recovery and purity but only ultrafine milling reduced bran particle size to the aleurone cells and exposed their structure. Despite this, ultrafine milling did not significantly increase protein yield compared to wet milling, which partially opened the aleurone cells, meaning that opening the cells per se is not enough for extracting their protein. Proteins extracted with the aid of ultrafine milling had smaller particle sizes with significantly better water solubility (>2-fold) and rheological properties. Both wet milling and ultrafine milling significantly improved the removal of phytate during the wet fractionation process. Altogether, optimizing milling techniques offers a promising path to enhance accessibility to wheat bran proteins and their quality if carefully fine-tuned but other assistant technologies are necessary for boosting the recovery of the released protein from aleurone cells.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biobased and biodegradable polymer. This polymer is considered promising, but it is also rather expensive. The objective of this study was to compound PHBV with three different organic fillers considered waste: human hair waste (HHW), sawdust (SD) and chitin from shrimp shells. Thus, the cost of the biopolymer is reduced, and, at the same time, waste materials are valorised into something useful. The composites prepared were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile strength and scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Tests showed that chitin and HHW did not have a reinforcing effect on tensile strength while the SD increased the tensile strength at break to a certain degree. The biodegradation of the different composites was evaluated by a soil burial test for five months. The gravimetric test showed that neat PHBV was moderately degraded (about 5% weight loss) while reinforcing the polymer with organic waste clearly improved the biodegradation. The strongest biodegradation was achieved when the biopolymer was compounded with HHW (35% weight loss). The strong biodegradation of HHW was further demonstrated by characterisation by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Characterisation by SEM showed that the surfaces of the biodegraded samples were eroded.