Development and Characterization of <i>Pleurotus Fossulatus</i> Mycelium-Based Composites for Biodesigned Textile Applications

The current materials economy is largely linear, producing materials without consideration for end-of-life outcomes, highlighting the need for regenerative textile systems that minimize resource input and waste. Mycelium-based composites (MBC) are lightweight, biodegradable materials with promising thermal insulation, fire resistance, and acoustic properties, positioned at the intersection of biology and design. This study evaluates the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of Pleurotus fossulatus MBC grown on different substrates. Essential to this process is the cultivation of mycelia, the vegetative part of filamentous fungi, where careful considerations of fungal species, nutrient substrate, and fabrication protocol are critical. Among tested substrates, hemp fabric showed relatively larger hyphal diameters (2.594 ± 0.344 μm) compared to applewood (2.442 ± 1.371 μm) and cardboard (0.845 ± 0.612 μm), indicating differences in substrate–fungal interactions. In contrast to the hydrophilic nature of many natural cellulose fibers, mycelium, composed primarily of chitin, exhibited hydrophobic behavior. Hydrophobicity testing showed that all mycelium-containing composites exhibited contact angles exceeding 90°, indicating a transition to hydrophobic behavior compared to their base substrates. These results provide insight into the future design and optimization of mycelium-based composites for textile product development innovation.