LSIWC Scientists’ Achievement Featured on TV3 News
Researcher Ilze Irbe and her team have developed mycelium composite granules, which have been awarded the Grand Prix by the World Packaging Organization. “The mycelium composite material is cultivated using a bracket fungus found in Latvian forests. The cultivation process utilizes the hyphae, or filaments, of the variegated bracket fungus,” reports a TV3 news correspondent.
“We grow the mycelium, which resembles white fuzz, in liquid culture within flasks. Once fully grown, we transfer it into bags containing substrate,” explains Ilze. “The mycelium of the variegated bracket fungus thrives on wood shavings, wheat straw, and hemp hurds—byproducts remaining after extracting valuable fibers. As it grows, the fungus weaves through the substrate and, metaphorically speaking, glues it together.” The fungus grows on hemp, wheat, or wood shavings for approximately two weeks, transforming into a dough-like mass that can be molded into various shapes, reveals Dr. biol. Ilze Irbe.
The fungal growth is halted by exposure to a high temperature of +70 degrees Celsius. In this heat, the fungus ceases to grow after a short period and retains its formed shape. Sandra Muižniece-Brasava, head of the Latvian Packaging Association, emphasizes that in the future, packaging materials made from fungal mycelium could replace the widely used synthetic, fossil-based packaging materials.
“The current regulation adopted at the European level significantly impacts the future use of packaging materials. The volume of plastic materials is being reduced. Therefore, this is one of the solutions that is quite promising. The fact that such a product is being developed in Latvia shows that we are also contributing on a global scale,” emphasizes Muižniece-Brasava.
Importantly, after use, the variegated bracket fungus mycelium composite material can be easily recycled. It can be buried in the ground, where it will fully decompose in less than a month. The award ceremony will take place in Milan on May 30, confirming that Latvian science makes a significant contribution to the global economy and sustainability.
Watch the TV3 segment (in Latvian) to learn more: https://zinas.tv3.lv/zinatne-un-tehnologijas/zinatne/latvija-audzetas-piepju-micelija-kompozita-granulas-iegust-starptautisku-atzinibu/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI_XQlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTP3RXpmJwmqmp_NuSGnR3NZ2Wosg_ePVfZ_Qz8Tq1Cu2VuM7WYS4B2trg_aem_V86__JDIlnLsZEr6BdAEOw