Identification and characterization of Ganoderma enigmaticum, Ganoderma casuarinicola, and Polyporus thailandensis to fabricate mycelium-based composites

Authors

  • Sesan Abiodun Aransiola
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Ajogwu Anthony Adige
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Ojonoma Loretta Okwute
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Salamatu S. Machunga-Mambula
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Bukola Catherine Akin-Osanaiye
    Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria

Keywords:

Lignocellulose, Mycelium-based composites, Biodegradable materials, Synthetic plastics, Packaging

Abstract

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are biodegradable materials produced from fungal species grown on lignocellulosic residues. These composites have characteristics that could replace synthetic plastics used for packaging by different manufacturing companies. In this study, three fungal species (Ganoderma enigmaticum, Ganoderma casuarinicola, and Polyporus thailandensis) were isolated and characterized morphologically. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal isolates using the Qiagen TopTaq Master Mix Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Two of the three fungi (G. enigmaticum and P. thailandensis) were grown on lignocellulosic residues (sawdust and cornhusk) to fabricate MBCs. Some physical properties of the MBCs were analyzed, and the results showed that the substrate type and fungal species affected the properties of the MBCs produced. MBCs obtained from G. enigmaticum exhibited better physical properties than those obtained from P. thailandensis. Moisture contents were 60.03 and 63.24%, and densities were 110.11 and 121.13 kg/m3 for G. enigmaticum and P. thailandensis, respectively. Water absorption was highest in MBCs produced by P. thailandensis (136%) compared with MBCs produced by G. enigmaticum (106%). With respect to substrate combinations, MBCs produced from combined substrates had improved physical properties, including higher density and lower water absorption and moisture content.

Dimensions

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FIG1

Published

2026-09-15

How to Cite

Identification and characterization of Ganoderma enigmaticum, Ganoderma casuarinicola, and Polyporus thailandensis to fabricate mycelium-based composites. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(3), 555. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.3.555

Issue

Volume 5, Issue 3, December 2026 (In progress)

Section

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 Sesan Abiodun Aransiola, Ajogwu Anthony Adige, Ojonoma Loretta Okwute, Salamatu S. Machunga-Mambula, Bukola Catherine Akin-Osanaiye

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Identification and characterization of Ganoderma enigmaticum, Ganoderma casuarinicola, and Polyporus thailandensis to fabricate mycelium-based composites. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(3), 555. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.3.555

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