Method and apparatus for treating fungal mycelium precursor material into mycelium products using supercritical fluids

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) by using a treatment fluid under supercritical conditions, the mycelium object comprising mycelium cells having cell walls, the cell walls of the mycelium cells comprising a natural polymer comprising a chitin / chitosan polymer, a method of treating a mycelium object (30) includes at least one of a deacetylation process (DEP), a plasticization process (PP), a dyeing process (DYP), a fat liquoring process (FLP), and a compaction process (COP), at least one of the deacetylation process (DEP), the plasticization process (PP), the dyeing process (DYP), the fat liquoring process (FLP), and the compaction process (COP) is performed by exposing the mycelium object to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized treatment fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing fungal mycelium precursor material into a mycelium product by utilizing supercritical CO2. Background Art

[0002] It is well known that mycelium is used for different types of parts, such as insulation materials, materials imitating fabric or leather, molded objects, protective packaging, etc.

[0003] However, a challenge associated with mycelium is that the mycelium itself is relatively fragile and brittle, particularly if certain processing criteria are not met. Such criteria may include, for example, moisture content, flexibility, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method that can provide a mycelium end product having desired product properties, e.g., with respect to flexibility, softness, visual appearance, strength, etc., in a cost-effective manner. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) by treating a fluid under supercritical conditions.

[0005] The mycelium object comprises mycelial cells, the mycelial cells have cell walls, the cell walls of the mycelial cells comprise natural polymers including chitin / chitosan polymers,

[0006] The method of processing the mycelium object (30) comprises at least one of the following processes:

[0007] Deacetylation process (DEP),

[0008] Plasticizing process (PP),

[0009] Dyeing process (DYP),

[0010] Fat Liquor Process (FLP), and

[0011] Compaction Process (COP),

[0012] wherein at least one of the following processes is performed by subjecting the mycelium object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions:

[0013] The deacetylation process (DEP),

[0014] The plasticizing process (PP),

[0015] The dyeing process (DYP),

[0016] The fatliquoring process (FLP), and

[0017] The compaction process (COP).

[0018] Supercritical fluids capable of penetrating mycelial objects can be used as treatment media, as long as the selected reactive chemical agents (such as deacetylation, plasticizing and dyeing agents) are soluble or transportable in the pressurized fluid. In this way, mycelial treatment can be performed without using large amounts of water, and furthermore, both processing time and energy consumption are minimized, and material chemical absorption is maximized. Furthermore, due to the very efficient material penetration, the mycelial product obtained is of good quality, has durable and flexible properties, and has uniform dyeing quality and high color intensity.

[0019] In this context, a pressurized treatment fluid exposed to reactive chemicals and supercritical conditions generally refers to a mycelium object that has been placed in a treatment chamber with reactive chemicals and into which a treatment fluid has also been injected under pressure to achieve supercritical conditions of the treatment fluid.

[0020] Carbon dioxide is the most widely used supercritical process fluid because it is a naturally occurring gas and is easily available for industrial consumption. Carbon dioxide usually behaves as a gas in air at standard temperature and pressure, or as a solid (dry ice) when frozen. When both temperature and pressure rise to the critical point (CP) of carbon dioxide, it has properties between gas and liquid. Here, it behaves as a supercritical fluid above its critical temperature (31.1°C) and critical pressure (73.9 bar). In this way, supercritical carbon dioxide has a liquid-like density, which is conducive to mixing with reactive chemical reagents, and this in turn helps to achieve short and effective processing times compared to using water as the main processing medium. Unless otherwise specified, the term "processing fluid" refers to carbon dioxide.

[0021] Some ethanol may also be used with the SC-CO2 for a potential drying step. Thus, supercritical fluids capable of penetrating mycelial objects may be used as processing media as long as the selected reactive chemicals (such as deacetylation, plasticizing and dyeing agents) are soluble or transportable in the pressurized fluid.

[0022] In one embodiment, a method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises at least one of the following processes:

[0023] The deacetylation process (DEP),

[0024] The plasticizing process (PP),

[0025] The dyeing process (DYP), and wherein the method further comprises

[0026] The fatliquoring process (FLP).

[0027] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises at least two steps:

[0028] The plasticizing process (PP)

[0029] The dyeing process (DYP), wherein the method further comprises

[0030] The fatliquoring process (FLP), and wherein

[0031] At least the plasticizing process (PP) and / or the dyeing process (DYP) are performed by subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, and wherein the fatliquoring process (FLP) is performed under non-supercritical conditions.

[0032] In one embodiment, a method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) includes subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions to be performed during a processing time (PTI).

[0033] As part of the treatment under supercritical conditions, the pressure of the treatment fluid must be increased at the beginning of the relevant process. Similarly, the relevant process can end with decompression unless a new process is performed without first reducing the pressure of the treatment fluid. For example, the process of reducing the pressure in the treatment chamber at the end of the treatment time includes being controlled by a controller so as to reduce the pressure of the pressurized fluid in a controlled manner so as to maintain an appropriate decompression gradient within a given time. Controlling the decompression gradient is beneficial to the mycelium object maintaining ideal properties. The decompression period is a time interval exceeding 5 minutes, such as between 5 minutes and 2 hours, such as 15 minutes to 45 minutes, such as 15 minutes to 30 minutes, such as 30 minutes to 2 hours, such as a time interval of 30 minutes to 65 minutes.

[0034] In one embodiment, a method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises initially subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, the mycelial object comprising at least 10% moisture / water by weight.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment, the moisture content must be such that the mycelium has a minimum flexibility before entering the chamber in order to be treated with one or more reactive chemical agents together with carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions, but also to avoid that the mycelium object does not dry out too much and become irreversibly brittle during the treatment process with the supercritical fluid. In other words, the supercritical treatment must be carried out under process conditions and with an initial moisture content sufficient to avoid that the treatment results in a reduction in strength rather than maintaining the initial strength or even increasing the strength. In this context, strength is to be understood as the degree to which the mycelial cells of the mycelial material are attached to each other by chemical bonds, such as by covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 20% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to the reactive chemical agent (RCA) and the pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 30% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 40% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 50% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial body comprises at least 60 wt% moisture / water at the beginning of subjecting said mycelium body to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises performing at least one of the following processes by subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions:

[0042] The deacetylation process (DEP)

[0043] The plasticizing process (PP)

[0044] The dyeing process (DYP).

[0045] When performing a deacetylation process (DEP) with a treatment fluid under supercritical conditions, it may include subjecting the mycelial object to a reactive chemical reagent, such as a deacetylating agent such as a base such as NaOH, or to an enzyme such as chitin deacetylase (CDA).

[0046] When the plasticization process (PP) is performed with a treatment fluid under supercritical conditions, it may include subjecting the mycelial object to reactive chemical agents such as glutaraldehyde, sulfuric acid, glyoxal, tripolyphosphate (TPP) and / or epichlorohydrin.

[0047] When performing a dyeing process (DYP) with a treatment fluid under supercritical conditions, it may include subjecting the mycelial object to a reactive chemical agent, such as an ionic dye, such as an anionic dye, such as a reactive dye.

[0048] Examples of reactive dyes may include Levafix Brilliant Blue E-RAN (dye with C.I114 of Dystar Japan Co., Ltd.), Levafix Brill.Red E-RN gran (Dytar Japan Co., Ltd.), Levafix Golden Yellow EG (dye with C.I27 of Dystar Japan Co., Ltd.), EriofestRedB (Ciba Specialty Chemicals), Cibacron Red P-BN GRAN (Ciba Specialty Chemicals), Lanasol Red 6G (dye with CI 84 of Ciba Specialty Chemicals).

[0049] In the above three processes, the treatment fluid includes carbon dioxide.

[0050] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 70% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to the reactive chemical agent (RCA) and the pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 80% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 90% moisture / water by weight at the time of initially subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0053] In one embodiment of the invention, at the beginning of said subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to the reactive chemical agent (RCA) and the pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, said mycelial object comprises less than 90% moisture / water by weight.

[0054] In one embodiment of the invention, at the beginning of said subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to the reactive chemical agent (RCA) and the pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, said mycelial object comprises less than 85% moisture / water by weight.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, at the beginning of said subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to the reactive chemical agent (RCA) and the pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, said mycelial object comprises less than 80% moisture / water by weight.

[0056] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 20% and less than 95% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0057] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 40% and less than 90% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0058] In one embodiment of the invention, said mycelial object comprises at least 60% and less than 92% moisture / water by weight at the beginning of said subjecting said mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0059] In one embodiment, a method of treating a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) further comprises pre-soaking the mycelium object prior to exposure to a reactive chemical agent and a treatment fluid under supercritical conditions.

[0060] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) using a fluid under supercritical conditions comprises the following steps:

[0061] Plasticizing process (PP),

[0062] Dyeing process (DYP),

[0063] Fat Liquor Process (FLP), and

[0064] A compaction process (COP), and wherein at least the following processes are performed in the following sequential order:

[0065] Plasticizing process (PP)

[0066] Dyeing process (DYP),

[0067] Fat Liquor Process (FLP).

[0068] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises performing the dyeing process by at least subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a dyeing agent (DYA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0069] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises subjecting the mycelium object to the dyeing process performed by subjecting the mycelium object to a dyeing agent (DYA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, and wherein the plasticizing process is performed in non-supercritical conditions.

[0070] In the present context, the term "non-supercritical conditions" may refer to a process performed at atmospheric pressure.

[0071] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises that the plasticizing process is performed by at least subjecting the mycelium object to exposure to a cross-linking agent (CRA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0072] In the present context, the plasticization process performed by subjecting the mycelium to a cross-linking agent is referred to as a cross-linking process.

[0073] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises at least the plasticizing process (PP) and the dyeing process (DYP) being performed by simultaneously exposing the mycelium object to a cross-linking agent (CRA), a dyeing agent (DYA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

[0074] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises subjecting the mycelium object to a cross-linking agent (CRA) capable of covalently binding to the amino groups of chitosan, a dyeing agent (DYA) capable of binding to the hydroxyl groups of chitin / chitosan, and a pressurized treatment fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions capable of effectively penetrating the mycelium, thereby simultaneously performing the plasticization process (PP) and the dyeing process (DYP).

[0075] In one embodiment, the plasticizer and the colorant are added to the treatment chamber simultaneously, so that plasticization and dyeing can be performed simultaneously, thereby reducing the need to establish two separate supercritical processes (plasticization process and dyeing process). This can be very advantageous, because the time-consuming process of increasing and reducing pressure can be reduced, and the effective total time that the treatment fluid needs to be in supercritical conditions can also be maintained at a low level as possible, thereby also saving energy. In addition, by using different functional groups on the chitin / chitosan polymer for plasticizer and dyeing agent respectively, each chemical process is not restricted by another chemical process, thereby optimizing the binding capacity of the chitin polymer. In addition, as the risk of binding site competition between the two reactive chemical reagents is minimized, the predictability of plasticization and dyeing results increases.

[0076] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the soaking process (SOP) comprises subjecting the mycelial object to moisture to obtain a moisture content of the mycelial object (30) of at least 10% by weight.

[0077] In this context, moisture generally refers to water as the main moisture component. Water can be supplemented, for example, with detergents.

[0078] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the processing fluid (PF) is / comprises carbon dioxide.

[0079] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the processing time (PTI) is between 15 seconds and 180 minutes.

[0080] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the processing time (PTI) is between 15 seconds and 180 minutes at a temperature above 30 degrees Celsius.

[0081] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the chemical reaction reagent comprises a cross-linking agent.

[0082] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the cross-linking agent is an aldehyde.

[0083] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the cross-linking agent is glutaraldehyde.

[0084] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the cross-linking agent is sulfuric acid.

[0085] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the cross-linking agent is glyoxal.

[0086] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the cross-linking agent is tripolyphosphate (TPP).

[0087] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the cross-linking agent is epichlorohydrin.

[0088] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the chemical reaction reagent comprises a dye.

[0089] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the chemical reaction reagent comprises a re-crosslinking agent.

[0090] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the chemical reaction agent comprises an alkali.

[0091] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the chemical reaction agent comprises an acid.

[0092] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the mycelium object (30) to be processed by the plasticizing process comprises moisture in an amount of at least 10% to 14% by weight of the mycelium product.

[0093] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: during a processing time (PTI), at least a portion of the plasticizer is covalently bonded to amine groups of the chitosan polymer in the mycelial object.

[0094] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the percentage of chitosan amino groups covalently bonded to the plasticizer is higher than 50%, such as higher than 60%, such as higher than 70%, such as higher than 80%.

[0095] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the coloring agent is capable of covalently binding to chitin hydroxyl groups.

[0096] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the coloring agent is capable of covalently binding to the amino groups of chitosan.

[0097] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the coloring agent being mechanically attachable to the mycelial material.

[0098] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the dye is capable of reacting with the mycelial cell wall structure through van der Waals forces.

[0099] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the dye is capable of reacting with the mycelial cell wall structure through hydrogen bonding.

[0100] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the coloring agent having a functional group, such as an ionic functional group, such as a polar functional group, capable of covalently binding to a chitin hydroxyl group.

[0101] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the dyeing agent is an ionic dyeing agent.

[0102] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the dye is an ionic or anionic dye.

[0103] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the coloring agent is an ionic, anionic, reactive coloring agent.

[0104] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the coloring agent is water soluble.

[0105] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: processing the mycelium object into a filament or yarn based on reconstruction of chitin polymer fibrils.

[0106] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises: the method comprises a plasticizing process (PP) and / or a dyeing process (DYP), the method comprises the following processes:

[0107] - providing (2) a mycelium object,

[0108] - directing said mycelial object into (4) a treatment chamber,

[0109] - subjecting said mycelial mass in said treatment chamber to (6) a pressurized fluid,

[0110] - controlling (10) the pressure of the pressurized fluid to achieve supercritical conditions,

[0111] - subjecting said mycelial object to a reactive chemical agent which dissolves and / or is transported in said pressurized fluid for at least a predefined period of time when said pressurized fluid is under supercritical conditions,

[0112] - reducing (12) the pressure in the process chamber,

[0113] - removing (14) the mycelial objects from the treatment chamber,

[0114] Wherein, the process of reducing the pressure in the processing chamber includes controlling the pressure reduction over time.

[0115] In one embodiment, the method of processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) comprises: the pressurized fluid comprises CO2 having a purity of at least 99.0%, preferably at least 99.9%.

[0116] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus and / or system for processing mycelial objects (30) into mycelial products (MYP) by using a processing fluid under supercritical conditions.

[0117] In one embodiment, the device comprises

[0118] - Processing chamber - Source of pressurized fluid,

[0119] - a source of reactive chemical reagents,

[0120] - pumps for increasing the pressure of the pressurized fluid to achieve supercritical conditions,

[0121] - Pressure reducer to reduce the pressure in the process chamber

[0122] - a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the pressure reducer to reduce the pressure in the treatment chamber over time after the mycelium object has been subjected to a chemical agent dissolved in a pressurized fluid under supercritical conditions for at least a predetermined period of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0123] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0124] Figures 1A-C show three different embodiments of the present invention,

[0125] Figure 2-7 An example of an apparatus for processing mycelium objects according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0126] Figure 8 shows the phase diagram of carbon dioxide,

[0127] Figure 9a and 9b An example of a graph of pressure versus time is shown, where

[0128] Fig.10 An example of a processing method for processing a mycelium object according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0129] Mycelium Objects

[0130] The mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, excluding the fruitbody, and consists of a mass of branched, thread-like hyphal cells. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called a shiro, especially in fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found on soil and on many other substrates in the soil. The typical single spore germinates as a monokaryotic mycelium that is incapable of sexual reproduction; when two compatible monokaryotic mycelia unite and form a dikaryotic mycelium, the mycelium may form a fruiting body such as a mushroom. The mycelium may be small, forming colonies so small that they are invisible, or it may grow to span thousands of acres, as in the case of Armillaria.

[0131] Through the mycelium, the fungus absorbs nutrients from its environment. It does this in a two-stage process: First, the hyphal cells secrete enzymes onto or into the food source that break down the biopolymers into smaller units, such as monomers. These monomers are then absorbed into the mycelium through facilitated diffusion and active transport.

[0132] Mycelia are vital in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to their role in the decomposition of plant material. They contribute to the organic fraction of the soil, and their growth releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Mycelia outside the ectomycorrhizal matrix, as well as mycelia of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, increase the efficiency of water and nutrient uptake by most plants and confer resistance to certain plant pathogens. Mycelia are an important food source for many soil invertebrates. They are essential for agriculture and are important for almost all plant species - many species have co-evolved with fungi. Mycelia are a major factor in plant health, nutrient uptake and growth, and mycelia are a major factor in plant fitness.

[0133] The mycelium process addressed in this application may be understood as the part of mycelium processing that occurs after the mycelium is harvested and when the living organisms in the fungus have preferably been killed.

[0134] The cell wall of mycelial hyphae cells is a three-layer structure including chitin, glucan and mannoprotein. In order to modify and stabilize the molecular structure of mycelium, cell wall glucan and mannoprotein can be removed to obtain chitin polymer, which is the mycelial part with the highest reaction potential. The chitin molecule is a complex carbohydrate polymer containing N-acetylglucosamine and N-glucosamine monomers. Therefore, naturally occurring fungal chitin is not a true homopolymer, but exists in the form of a copolymer containing units of both chitin and its deacetylated homologue chitosan. The chitosan level of mycelium can be defined as the chitin deacetylation degree (DD), which can be calculated as the number of glucosamine (GlcN) units divided by the total number of glucosamine and acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units:

[0135]

[0136] When the DD is at least 50%, the name of the polymer changes from "chitin" to "chitosan". In naturally occurring fungi, the degree of deacetylation is usually low, and therefore the cell wall carbohydrate polymer is called chitin.

[0137] In the context of mycelium processing for the purpose of producing leather (like) fabrics, the chitin / chitosan polymers of the fungal cell wall may be of great importance. In the present context, the terms "chitin polymer", "chitosan polymer", "chitin / chitosan polymer", "chitin / chitosan molecule", "fungal cellulose", "mycelium fibril" and "hyphal fibril" are used interchangeably to mean "the complex carbohydrate polymer of the fungal cell wall comprising N-acetylglucosamine and N-glucosamine monomers, wherein the complex carbohydrate polymer has a degree of deacetylation between 0 and 100".

[0138] In order to obtain durable, soft and strong mycelium textile materials, chemical bonding can be advantageously performed between individual chitin / chitosan polymers. This can be achieved by adding bridging molecules such as crosslinking agents to the mycelium. However, chitin does not have easily reactive functional groups and is insoluble in most solvents, thereby limiting its industrial application potential. In order to overcome this challenge, a deacetylation reaction can be introduced to convert chitin into its deacetylated homologue chitosan. Chitosan has easily reactive functional amine groups that can form amide bonds with different crosslinking agents. Amide bonds resist hydrolysis and impart structural rigidity at the molecular level. In addition, chitosan is soluble in dilute acidic solutions, and therefore when chitin deacetylation occurs, the industrial application potential increases. It should be noted that although the covalent bond between the crosslinking agent and the mycelium cell wall chitosan is a favorable bridging technology, other methods of plasticizing fungal mycelium with less rigidity can also be achieved.

[0139] In the present context, the cross-linking agent may include glutaraldehyde, sulfuric acid, glyoxal, tripolyphosphate (TPP) and / or epichlorohydrin.

[0140] Therefore, in an advantageous embodiment, a chitin deacetylation process is included in order to establish particularly preferred conditions for the desired subsequent plasticization process PP of the fungal mycelium precursor material. The deacetylation process can be promoted by different means, for example by chemical or enzymatic treatment of the mycelium.

[0141] In the present context, plasticization can be defined as a process whereby reinforcement of fungal hyphae is obtained by introducing bridging molecules between individual chitin / chitosan polymers, for example, in the mycelial cell wall.

[0142] Such bridging molecules may be attached to the mycelium by covalent bonds or by other chemical reactions, such as by hydrogen bonds, by van der Waals forces or by mechanical entrapment. Plasticization may also occur without bridging molecules, for example by direct interactions between individual chitin / chitosan polymers.

[0143] In addition, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the hydroxyl group of chitin / chitosan molecule can react with suitable coloring agent, and this reaction can occur simultaneously with plasticizing reaction. Because two kinds of reactive chemical reagents (plasticizer and coloring agent) are for the different functional groups of chitin / chitosan polymer, reaction can occur in so-called "one pot (one pot)" mode. It should be noted that dyeing and plasticizing process are not limited to occur simultaneously, and coloring agent also can interact with other functional groups, and by other chemical reactions, rather than by the covalent bond between coloring agent and chitin / chitosan hydroxyl group. Suitable coloring agent comprises acid dye, sulphur dye, direct dye, premetallized dye, reactive dye and / or basic dye.

[0144] In an advantageous embodiment, plasticization is performed through the use of chemical cross-linking agents. During this process, the addition of chemical cross-linking agents changes the direction of the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the chitin / chitosan polymer and forms covalent bonds with the amine groups of the chitosan. This ultimately changes and stabilizes the properties and characteristics of the entire mycelium material. After the main cross-linking reaction has occurred, treating the material with an acidic solution can help in some cases to fix the agent to the chitosan binding sites. The flexibility and softness of the material can be further improved by the introduction of a fatting agent, which creates a protective and lubricating helical structure around the individual mycelia.

[0145] In this context, "reactive chemical agent" refers to any chemical substance that, when exposed to a mycelial object, chemically reacts (e.g., through covalent bonds, through hydrogen bonds, through van der Waals forces, through mechanical entrapment, etc.) with the biochemical structure within the mycelial hyphal network.

[0146] Thus, reactive chemical agents include, but are not limited to, deacetylation agents, plasticizers, and the like, such as crosslinking agents and / or dyes.

[0147] Supercritical fluids are able to efficiently penetrate the mycelial structure and can replace water as the processing medium, as long as the selected reactive chemical reagents are soluble or transportable in the pressurized fluid. In this way, mycelial processing can be carried out without using large amounts of water, and processing time and energy consumption are minimized.

[0148] In this context, pressurized fluid represents a compound that has properties between those of a gas and a liquid and behaves as a supercritical fluid.

[0149] Any substance is characterized by a critical point, which is obtained under specific conditions of pressure and temperature. When a compound in the liquid state is subjected to a pressure and temperature above its critical point, the fluid is called "supercritical".

[0150] Carbon dioxide is the most widely used supercritical fluid because it is a naturally occurring gas and is readily available for industrial consumption.

[0151] Carbon dioxide usually behaves as a gas in the air at standard temperature and pressure, or as a solid (dry ice) when frozen. When both temperature and pressure are raised to above the critical point (CP) of carbon dioxide, the properties of CO2 are between gas and liquid. Here, it behaves as a supercritical fluid above the critical temperature (31.1 ° C) and critical pressure (73.9 bar). In this way, supercritical carbon dioxide has a liquid density that is conducive to dissolving and transporting reactive chemical reagents. In addition, compared with water, the gas-like low viscosity and diffusion properties of supercritical fluids can promote shorter reaction times and better absorption.

[0152] The critical point of the pressurized fluid may vary depending on various conditions, such as, for example, the density and / or purity of the fluid. Thus, the method for treating a mycelial object may be performed not only under supercritical conditions, but also under near-supercritical conditions. In this context, supercritical and near-supercritical conditions are used interchangeably. Thus, it should be understood that when reference is made to "pressurized fluid under supercritical conditions" or similar terms in the claims and description of the present application, these terms will include pressurized fluids that are near supercritical conditions.

[0153] In the present context, the terms "supercritical carbon dioxide" or "SC-CO2" are used interchangeably. Furthermore, in the present context, carbon dioxide and CO2 are used interchangeably.

[0154] As described elsewhere in this application, the term "fungal mycelium precursor material" MYPRE (referred to as "mycelium precursor") refers to an undifferentiated and unprocessed fungal mycelium network including hyphal cells. By reacting the mycelium precursor with one or more plasticizers, a strong and stable "fungal mycelium intermediate substance" (referred to as "mycelium intermediate") is produced. The mycelium intermediate is then suitable for being dyed, dried and compressed into a final "fungal mycelium product" (referred to as "mycelium product") resembling leather or other fabric materials. Although exemplary advantageous examples are given in this application, the processing sequence of the mycelium intermediate (plasticization, softening, dyeing, drying), etc. may vary. However, when a mycelium object has been reconstructed into filaments, staple fibers, fabric products, etc., and the mycelium and / or object is appropriately plasticized so that the final product has the desired properties, the object is referred to as a mycelium product MYP.

[0155] Therefore, the compression / compacting process can in principle be performed at any processing stage between the plasticization process and the mycelium product.

[0156] The term "mycelial object" refers to any of the above descriptions of mycelial material, regardless of its state of processing.

[0157] The term "dyeing" or "dyeing" in the present context refers to adding dyeing substances to the mycelial object in order to obtain the desired color. Such a dyeing process within the scope of the present invention is preferably carried out under supercritical carbon dioxide conditions.

[0158] In an advantageous embodiment, the dye comprises an acid dye, a direct dye and / or a reactive dye that can be covalently bound or mechanically attached to the mycelial material, or react with the mycelial surface structure by van der Waals forces or by hydrogen bonding. In some cases, the dye can even react with previously introduced chemicals in the mycelial material, although advantageously, the biochemical dyeing process results in covalent bonding between the dye and the functional groups of the chitin / chitosan polymer.

[0159] The dyeing process may be performed in a treatment chamber under supercritical conditions, but in general it should be noted that the dyeing process may be applied with any suitable dyeing equipment designed for dyeing according to the provisions of the present invention.

[0160] The term "fatliquoring" refers to the process by which fats / oils and waxes are fixed to the mycelial material. In more detail, the addition of oils or fats reduces the degree of cohesion of the chitin / chitosan polymer, since the fatliquoring agent can cause the mycelial fibers (hyphae) to separate from their neighboring fibers. However, since a certain degree of fiber cohesion needs to exist to maintain a coherent shape of the material, the addition of oils or fats needs to be performed in a controlled manner.

[0161] Any fatliquor may be used, including anionic fatliquors such as sulfonated fatliquors and sulfited oils, soap fatliquors, and cationic fatliquors. Nonionic fatliquors may also be used, including alkyl ethylene oxide condensates and protein emulsifiers. Multi-charged fatliquors formulated from nonionic, anionic, and cationic fatliquors may also be used in the fatliquor process.

[0162] The raw materials of fatliquor can be marine animal oils such as fish oil; terrestrial animal oils and fats such as claw oil, beef tallow, lard and bone fat; vegetable oils and fats such as palm oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil and turkey red oil; waxes such as carnauba wax, montan wax and wool grease; synthetic fats such as paraffin oil, mineral oil, fatty alcohols and fatty acid esters.

[0163] Thus, examples of fatliquors would be sulphated oils as well as raw oils and waxes.

[0164] In preferred embodiments, the fatliquors (fats, oils and waxes) used in processing the fungal mycelium are derived from non-animal sources.

[0165] The mycelial objects can be processed into final mycelial products.

[0166] Mycelium products may include, for example, pre-cut parts of a shoe, where these parts may be, for example, an upper, a toe cap, a tongue, a waist or a heel. Mycelium products may also include products where a mycelium object is laminated with other layers, such as a reinforcement layer, where the mycelium product is stretched across a surface of a rigid form, such as a smartphone housing, such as accessories typically made of leather or based on leather, etc.

[0167] Thus, mycelium products can find application in a range of different areas, including upholstery, clothing, clothing components, accessories such as luggage, luggage components, wristbands, mobile phone cases, etc. Mycelium products can also include automotive-related components such as textile coverings for seats, textile objects for steering wheel covers, gear knob covers, etc.

[0168] Mycelial objects may also refer to objects containing mycelial parts, such as filaments or yarns reconstructed from fungal mycelium according to the methods disclosed in PCT / EP2018 / 053849, PCT / EP2018 / 053848, now using "fungal cellulose" (mycelial chitin / chitosan polymers) instead of collagen as the main material source. These references relate to the processing of collagen and optionally also to the processing of cellulose, but in the present context, the same methods can also be applied to chitin / chitosan. Therefore, as long as small mycelial parts such as individual chitin / chitosan polymers, also known as fibrils, are derived from fungal mycelium, such yarns or filaments can be understood as mycelial objects within the scope of the present invention, even if in such cases the mycelial object also includes additives that promote the aggregation of mycelial fibrils.

[0169] It should be noted that "mycelial objects" being treated within the scope of the present invention may mean that one, two or more mycelial objects may be treated simultaneously.

[0170] As used herein, "at least one" means one or more, ie, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.

[0171] The word "comprising" can be used as an open term, but also includes the closed term "consisting of."

[0172] Figures 1A-C show different possible workflows for processing a mycelial object starting from a mycelial precursor and ultimately transforming it into a (final or more or less final) mycelial product. The order of the individual processes may not be fixed, and therefore, the individual processes may be performed in an order different from the order presented and shown in the accompanying drawings. Other variations of the method may also be applied within the scope of the present invention. However, still keeping this flexibility in mind broadly, certain processes may or should be advantageously performed in a certain order. This will be discussed below.

[0173] For each workflow diagram presented, at least one process may be run under the influence of a supercritical fluid, such as supercritical CO2 (carbon dioxide). This may also include more than one process, a combination of multiple processes, or possibly all of the presented process steps.

[0174] In order to obtain a fabric / leather-like mycelium product, the mycelium object may undergo a drying process, which may be introduced at any time during the entire process. During drying, the moisture content of the mycelium object is actively reduced, either inside or outside the supercritical fluid environment. If drying is performed inside a supercritical fluid environment, a hygroscopic agent may be introduced. In order to prevent the material from becoming brittle and losing its flexibility and resistance, drying should be partial, so that the final mycelium product contains at least 10% moisture.

[0175] A method of processing a mycelium object will now be explained with reference to FIG. 1A .

[0176] During the first process, the soaking process SOP, a treatment fluid is flowed into the mycelium precursor and saturated (or nearly saturated) with such treatment fluid, here water. The purpose of the soaking process is to penetrate the mycelium precursor with the treatment fluid to obtain a uniform moisture content throughout the mycelium precursor, thereby facilitating subsequent processing of the mycelium object. It can be advantageous to perform the soaking process before deacetylation, plasticization, dyeing and fatliquoring, because the soaking of the mycelium precursor can promote a more uniform and predictable modification of the material. It should be noted that the first process, i.e. the soaking process SOP, is optional, as long as the mycelium precursor already has an acceptable moisture content. According to a favorable embodiment, the water content should not be too high, but should also be high enough to ensure that the desired chemical process can be run, while ensuring that the process running under supercritical conditions does not contain too much water.

[0177] In another process, a deacetylation process DEP, i.e., an optional deacetylation reaction, takes place. Here, the mycelial precursor is treated with a deacetylating agent to obtain a higher degree of deacetylation of the chitin / chitosan polymer within the fungal mycelium. This process prepares the mycelial precursor for subsequent processing (such as plasticization) by increasing the number of readily reactive functional groups to which the plasticizer can bind. Deacetylation can be performed in different ways such as enzymatic treatment or by alkaline treatment. This process is obtained by using the reactive chemical reagent RCA shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0178] Yet another process is the plasticization process PP, in which long chain molecules such as the chitin polymers of the fungal cell wall are reacted with chemical bridging molecules to connect such individual long chain molecules to each other. The bridging molecules may be attached to the mycelium by covalent bonds (i.e. cross-linking) or by other chemical reactions such as by hydrogen bonding, by van der Waals forces or by mechanical capture / blocking.

[0179] Plasticization can also occur in the absence of bridging molecules, ie, through direct interactions between individual chitin / chitosan polymers.

[0180] As shown in the figure, the process is obtained by using reactive chemical agents RCA. The plasticization process, for example, strengthens, stabilizes and softens the mycelium by introducing covalent bonds between individual chitin / chitosan molecules, thereby converting the fungal mycelium precursor material into a fungal mycelium intermediate material. Crosslinking can be performed by using different reactive chemical agents, where crosslinking agents are such as glutaraldehyde, sulfuric acid, glyoxal, tripolyphosphate (TPP) and / or epichlorohydrin. In an advantageous embodiment, the reactive chemical agent PP used in the mycelium plasticization process is a crosslinking agent such as an aldehyde and / or an acrylate.

[0181] Another process is an optional re-plasticization process (not shown) which can be applied after the main plasticization process PP to add further strength and ensure material homogeneity. Here, the mycelium intermediate is re-treated with a plasticizer by reusing different cross-linking agents such as glutaraldehyde, sulfuric acid, glyoxal, tripolyphosphate (TPP) and / or epichlorohydrin.

[0182] In yet another process, the dyeing process DYP, the mycelial intermediate is treated with reactive chemical agents, here dyes such as acid dyes, direct dyes and / or reactive dyes, to obtain the desired coloration of the material.

[0183] During another process, the fatliquor process FLP, the mycelial intermediate is exposed to a fatliquor such as sulphonated fatliquor or sulphitated oil, soap fatliquor or cationic fatliquor.

[0184] In the final process, the compaction process COP, the mycelium intermediate is compressed into a final mycelium product sheet, which has characteristics similar to fabric or leather, or the mycelium object can be compacted into a harder mycelium product depending on the process and mycelium selected.

[0185] Another method of processing a mycelium object will now be explained with reference to FIG. 1B .

[0186] This method corresponds to the method shown in FIG1A to a large extent, but now a compaction process COP is added between the plasticization process PP and the dyeing process DYP. The dyeing process DYP is operated under supercritical conditions. This has the advantage that more mycelium objects can be inserted into the treatment chamber, since the size of the compacted mycelium objects is more limited than that of non-compacted mycelium. The compaction process added before dyeing thus helps to increase the yield, since the compaction process before the dyeing process reduces the effective volume / size of the mycelium to be treated.

[0187] Another method of processing a mycelium object will now be explained with reference to FIG. 1C .

[0188] This method corresponds to the method shown in Figure 1A to a large extent, but now a compaction process COP is added between the dyeing process DYP and the fatliquoring process FLP, and the dyeing process DYP is operated under supercritical conditions. This has the advantage that the fatliquoring process FLP can be performed on a compacted material that is easier to obtain the desired permeation level, preferably under non-supercritical conditions.

[0189] It should be noted that the use of supercritical fluids during the mycelium object processing process may have particular advantages in dyeing and / or plasticizing, but the apparatus and methods described herein may also be applied to other processes of the method shown in Figures 1A-C, such as the deacetylation process DEP. A specific example related to the dyeing process is explained, and this process can be included in the above process flow 1A-C as a suitable dyeing process running under supercritical conditions.

[0190] In order to promote an optimized flow of reactive chemical reagents through the mycelium object, the mycelium object may be wetted when entering the supercritical fluid environment. More specifically, the mycelium material may be in a state that satisfies its maximum water absorption capacity without oversaturating the material and causing spontaneous water loss. With respect to the surrounding gaseous medium of the supercritical fluid environment, the relative humidity may be 97% or higher, such as 98% or higher, such as 99% or higher. In one example, the relative humidity of the reaction chamber environment and the material should be equal to achieve optimized processing, such as dyeing.

[0191] Figure 2 An example of an apparatus for mycelium textile process in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Mycelium objects 30 are processed in a treatment chamber 34. The treatment chamber can be configured in the form of a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber can be connected to at least one controllable compressor 36 for pressurizing a fluid supplied from a storage container 38 (e.g., a high-pressure storage container). The pressure provided by the controllable compressor 36 is introduced into the pressure chamber 34 by an introduction member 42 (e.g., a controllable valve, etc.). At the output end, the pressure can be reduced by a pressure reducing member 44 in the form of a controllable valve, a pressure reducing valve, etc. The apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may also include a separator 46, which receives the escaping pressurized fluid, and for example, residual dyes can be separated from the pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid can leave the separator 46 via an outlet 48, and the separated residual dyes can be collected via a residue outlet 50. A reactive chemical reagent 56 is introduced into the treatment chamber from a reactive chemical reagent source 52 via a controllable inlet 54 (e.g., a controllable valve, etc.), and in one embodiment of the present invention, the reactive chemical reagent is a dye. The introduction and release of pressure and the introduction of dye are controlled by a controller 40, wherein the controller 40 as shown in the figure can be connected to the controllable compressor 36, the introduction member 42, the controllable inlet 54 and the pressure reduction member 44 to control these according to parameters such as time, pressure, temperature, and characteristics of the mycelium object.

[0192] In addition, control may also be performed based on the circulation flow rate, the speed of the movable processing chamber, the agitator, etc. Therefore, it can be understood that the device can be equipped with corresponding sensors, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc., and the sensor signals can be communicated to the controller 40 as further input for device control.

[0193] The pressurized process fluid can be circulated and reused from the pressurized chamber. The pressurized process fluid can also be circulated and reused after leaving the separator or as a separate process and directed back to the high pressure storage vessel via a recirculation compressor.

[0194] Figure 2 The above-described apparatus may be applied to process mycelium according to a method according to any one of the following method claims and / or any of the features / process steps described in the above "Summary of the Invention".

[0195] Figure 3 Shown as Figure 2 Examples of devices in embodiments of the present invention described in . Figure 3 It is also included that the pressurized process fluid after leaving the separator 46 can be recycled and reused using a recycle connection 70 directed back to the storage vessel 38 and a recycle compressor 82.

[0196] Figure 3 The above-described apparatus may be applied to process mycelium according to a method according to any one of the following method claims and / or any of the features / process steps described in the above "Summary of the Invention".

[0197] Figure 4 Shown as Figure 2 Examples of devices in embodiments of the present invention described in . Figure 4 It is also contemplated that the pressurized process fluid may be circulated from the pressurization chamber and reused back into the pressurization chamber 34 , as shown by the recirculation connection 80 .

[0198] Figure 4 The above-described apparatus may be applied to process mycelium according to a method according to any one of the following method claims and / or any of the features / process steps described in the above "Summary of the Invention".

[0199] Figure 5 Shown as Figure 2 Examples of devices in embodiments of the present invention described in . Figure 5 It is also included that after leaving the separator 46, the pressurized process fluid can be circulated and reused using the recirculation connection 70 and recirculation compressor 82 that lead back to the storage container 38, and the pressurized process fluid can be circulated and reused from the pressurization chamber back to the pressurization chamber 34, as shown by the recirculation connection 80.

[0200] Figure 5 The above-described apparatus may be applied to process mycelium according to a method according to any one of the following method claims and / or any of the features / process steps described in the above "Summary of the Invention".

[0201] Figure 6 Other possible embodiments of the device according to the present invention are shown. Figure 6 The device shown corresponds essentially to Figure 5, but further noted that a temperature sensor 60 may be disposed in or connected to the processing chamber 34 to measure the temperature of a fluid (e.g., a supercritical fluid). The measured temperature is transmitted to the controller 40, and based on a controller software control signal that may be transmitted to, for example, a heater and / or cooler 62, to achieve a desired temperature of the fluid. It should be noted that the desired temperature of the fluid may depend on the pressure of the fluid, and a pressure sensor (not shown) may also be provided. Alternatively, the pressure measurement of the pressurized fluid may be given by the controllable compressor 36 or the introduction member 42.

[0202] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , two or more mycelium objects 30 may be processed simultaneously in the processing chamber 34 .

[0203] Furthermore, Figure 6 , the mycelium objects 30 can be supplied to the apparatus in an automated manner, for example, the mycelium objects 30 are supplied to the processing chamber 34 at least partially via a schematically shown mycelium object supply 74, which supply 74 can be, for example, a conveyor, a conveyor belt, etc. In connection with such a supply of mycelium objects 30, a mass, thickness and / or volume detector device 72 can be arranged to determine mycelium characteristics that are important for the supercritical process. Such a mass, thickness and / or volume detector device 72 can, for example, include Figure 5 The radiation detection device indicated, but other device features may also be used, such as a weighing unit, video monitoring and analysis, etc. The determined mass, thickness and / or volume of the mycelial object may be transmitted to the controller 40, which may determine based thereon a corresponding amount of, for example, a reactive chemical to be added to the fluid in the treatment chamber 34 when a particular mycelial object is to be processed, and the controller 40 may transmit it to the controllable inlet 54, and may be passed to a source of the reactive chemical, such as by a weight scale or a volume scale. It should be noted that other parameters of the mycelial object 30 may be provided by the detector device and used instead or in addition as input to the controller 40 to determine the required amount of reactive chemical. Such other parameters may be surface area, type of mycelial object, such as fabric, etc.

[0204] Furthermore, it should be noted that the mycelial objects 30 may be supplied to the apparatus in bulk and they may be processed in batches, for example, the weight of two or more mycelial objects may be provided as a batch parameter and the batches of mycelial objects may be processed, for example dyed, simultaneously.

[0205] The pressurized fluid may be in liquid form, but may also be in gaseous form.

[0206] The mycelium object 30 may be a whole piece of mycelium without any pre-cutting or trimming, or may be a mycelium piece, such as a mycelium object that has been through a cutting or trimming process. More than one mycelium material piece may also be included during the entire process.

[0207] The reactive chemical agent may be introduced into the treatment chamber simultaneously with the mycelial object, but may also be present in the treatment chamber before or after the mycelial object enters the treatment chamber.

[0208] The process chamber may be of any form relevant to adjusting optimal conditions to maintain supercritical conditions over time. In various embodiments of the present invention, the process chamber and apparatus may appear at a small scale in some relationships and at a large scale in other relationships, depending on a given application.

[0209] Furthermore, it should be noted that the processing chamber 34 may include means for agitating the mycelial objects and the supercritical fluid relative to each other, such as a drum rotation device, a rotating object carrier, an agitator, etc., or other means involving movement of the processing chamber or its components, but such means may alternatively or additionally include, for example, a pumping device for circulation of the supercritical fluid. The control of the processing chamber may also include settings such as speed, direction of movement, etc.

[0210] Figure 6 The above-described apparatus may be applied to process mycelium according to a method according to any one of the following method claims and / or any of the features / process steps described in the above "Summary of the Invention".

[0211] Figure 7 Another possible embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. Figure 7 The device shown corresponds essentially to Figure 5 The examples shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but the modifications explained below may be implemented in any other embodiment described herein. Figure 5 As described, after the process of circulating the supercritical fluid and reactive chemicals via the recirculation connection 80 , the pressurized process fluid may exit the process chamber via the separator 46 .

[0212] However, if Fig.10 As indicated, the separator has been omitted, and the separation of excess dye can be performed in the treatment chamber 34, for example, by reducing the pressure of the treatment fluid, whereby any residue will separate from the fluid and eventually fall to the bottom of the treatment chamber. When the excess reactive chemical reagent is separated, the treatment fluid, for example, CO2, can be pumped from the treatment chamber 34, for example, via the decompression member 44, via the recirculation connection 70 and the recirculation compressor 82. Thereby, the treatment fluid will be directed back to the storage container 38. With regard to the residual reactive chemical reagent in the treatment chamber 34, it can be collected and / or subjected to a flushing cycle with, for example, CO2 to clean the treatment chamber and its connections.

[0213] It should be noted that the flush cycle may be used in conjunction with other embodiments disclosed in this application.

[0214] Figure 7 The above-described apparatus may be applied to process mycelium according to a method according to any one of the following method claims and / or any of the features / process steps described in the above "Summary of the Invention".

[0215] Figure 8 A proportional phase diagram for carbon dioxide is shown (schematic, not to scale). Carbon dioxide behaves as a gas G in air at standard temperature and pressure and as a solid S when frozen. When both temperature and pressure are raised above the critical point CP of carbon dioxide, its properties are intermediate between those of a gas and a liquid L. Here, it behaves as a supercritical fluid SCF above the critical temperature (31.1°C) and the critical pressure (73.9 bar).

[0216] Figure 9a An example timeline of pressure P versus time T is shown, for example showing conditions in the processing chamber 34 during a mycelial object processing cycle. The pressure may start at ambient A pressure t1, and mycelial objects may be introduced into the processing chamber at this time. After a given time, the pressure increases at t2, for example by introducing and further pressurizing a pressurized processing fluid such as CO2, and increases until a critical pressure point CP at t3.

[0217] The gradient of the pressure increase over time can be a steep increase, where the pressure increases over a shorter period of time, or a slower increase where the pressure increases more slowly over a given time. Between t3 and t5, supercritical conditions remain constant over a given time. In this example, the curve shown is shown as a flat top, where the pressure is constant over time, however, the top may also extend directly to a decrease with increasing pressure over time, without having a constant pressure over time. After a given period of time t4, the pressure decreases and decreases over time until ambient conditions are reached.

[0218] The gradient of the pressure drop over time may be a steep drop, where the pressure drops over a shorter period of time, or it may be a gradual drop, where the pressure drops more slowly over a given period of time.

[0219] Reactive chemicals may be added to the process chamber at the beginning of the process, such as at t1 or t2, but may also be added later under supercritical conditions. When the pressure is reduced or conditions have reached ambient conditions, any excess reactive chemicals may be released and removed from the process chamber (or separated from the pressurized process fluid leaving the process chamber).

[0220] Figure 9b A corresponding example timeline of the pressure P versus time T is shown, wherein there is Figure 8The same pressure curve and time points as shown in a. Figure 8 As shown in the example in FIG. 1 , at time t7, i.e., after the treatment fluid reaches supercritical conditions, a reactive chemical reagent is added to the treatment chamber. Therefore, as shown in the time axis (T axis) of the following figure, the mycelium objects in the treatment chamber will be subjected to the reactive chemical reagent dissolved or diluted in the supercritical fluid during the time period Td corresponding to t5-t7.

[0221] The process time PTI is indicated between t3 and t5, wherein the process conditions are supercritical.

[0222] In addition, if Figure 9b As shown in , the pressure reaches a maximum at t8, after which the pressure remains substantially constant until t4. Therefore, as shown in the time axis (T axis) of the figure below, the mycelium object in the fluid will experience a pressure increase in the Tinc time period corresponding to t8-t2. In addition, it is also shown that the pressure gradient represented here as the numerical value IPgrad-iI can be determined and monitored. The device can be configured to control the pressure increase by monitoring the time period Tinc, which must exceed a predefined increase period, such as, for example, 15 minutes, such as, for example, 25 minutes, such as, for example, 30 minutes, such as between 5 minutes and 1 hour, such as between 15 minutes and 45 minutes, such as between 15 minutes and 30 minutes, or the device can be configured to control the pressure increase by monitoring the pressure gradient, such as the numerical value IPgrad-iI. It must not exceed a predetermined pressure increase gradient, such as, for example, 20 bar / minute, such as 15 bar / minute, such as 10 bar / minute, such as 8 bar / minute, such as 6 bar / minute, such as 5 bar / minute, such as 4 bar / minute.

[0223] Furthermore, if Figure 9b As shown below the time axis (T axis), the mycelium objects in the treatment fluid will be subjected to reduced pressure in the time period Tred corresponding to t6-t4. In addition, it is also shown that the pressure gradient represented as the numerical value IPgrad-rI here can be determined and monitored. The device can be configured to control the pressure reduction by monitoring the time period Tred, which must exceed a predefined reduction time period, such as, for example, 15 minutes, such as, for example, 25 minutes, such as, for example, 30 minutes, such as, for example, between 5 minutes and 2 hours, such as between 15 minutes and 45 minutes, such as between 15 minutes and 30 minutes, such as between 30 minutes and 2 hours, such as between 30 minutes and 65 minutes, or the device can be configured to control the pressure drop by monitoring the pressure gradient, such as the numerical value IPgrad-rI, which must not exceed a predefined pressure reduction gradient, such as, for example, 10 bar / second, such as 8 bar / minute, such as 6 bar / minute or such as 4 bar / minute.

[0224] The diagram is a schematic diagram and the time intervals for pressurization and decompression may differ from each other, even considerably, pressurization may be much faster than decompression, which therefore means that the pressurization curve may be relatively steeper.

[0225] therefore, Figure 9a and 9b The above schematic diagram for pressurization can be applied to Figures 2 to 7 in any device.

[0226] Fig.10 An example of a processing method for processing a mycelium object according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Initially, 102, a mycelium object is provided, for example, as a mycelium piece that is not pre-cut or trimmed, or as a mycelium object that may be at least one pre-cut mycelium piece.

[0227] 104, the mycelium object is placed in a treatment chamber, and 106, subjected to a pressurized treatment fluid. 108, the pressure of the pressurized treatment fluid is increased until it reaches supercritical conditions. It should be noted that the pressure may be further increased above the critical point, and further, the temperature of the treatment fluid may be simultaneously controlled to achieve the desired process. 110, the mycelium object is subjected to a reactive chemical agent, such as a dye, for a period of time. At the end of the treatment period, 112, the pressure is reduced, and 114, the mycelium is subsequently removed.

[0228] With respect to process 110 of subjecting the mycelium object to a reactive chemical, it should be noted that the reactive chemical may have been previously added to the pressurized fluid with process 106 or with process 108 , and may even have been introduced into the processing chamber before or during process 104 .

[0229] In principle, the above method can be carried out at any stage of the mycelium processing, but most advantageously, supercritical conditions can be applied for deacetylation of DEP, plasticization of PP and / or dyeing of DYP.

[0230] therefore, Fig.10 The above schematic diagram for pressurization can be applied to Figures 2 to 7 in any device.

[0231] Reference numerals

[0232] 30. Mycelium Objects

[0233] 34. Processing room

[0234] 36. Controllable compressor

[0235] 38. Storage Containers

[0236] 40. Controller

[0237] 42.Introduction of components

[0238] 44. Pressure relief components

[0239] 46. ​​Separator

[0240] 48. Export

[0241] 50. Residue export

[0242] 52. Reactive chemical reagent source

[0243] 54. Controlled Entrance

[0244] 56. Reactive Chemical Reagents

[0245] 60. Temperature sensor

[0246] 62. Heaters and / or coolers

[0247] 70. Recirculation Connection

[0248] 72. Mass, thickness and / or volume detectors

[0249] 74. Supply of mycelium

[0250] 80. Recirculation Connection

[0251] 82. Recirculation compressor

[0252] 102.Provide mycelium objects

[0253] 104. Mycelium enters the processing chamber

[0254] 106. Subject to pressurized fluid treatment

[0255] 110. Mycelial objects are subjected to reactive chemical agents

[0256] 112. Reduce Stress

[0257] 114.Remove Mycelium Objects

[0258] A. Environment

[0259] CP critical point

[0260] G. Gas

[0261] L.Liquid

[0262] P. Pressure

[0263] S. Solid

[0264] SCF.Supercritical fluid

[0265] T. Time

[0266] Tinc. Pressure increase time

[0267] Tred. Decompression time

[0268] IPgrad-iI. Pressure rise gradient

[0269] IPgrad-rI. Decompression gradient

[0270] Td. Time of exposure to dye

[0271] SOP Soaking Process

[0272] DEP deacetylation process

[0273] PP plasticizing process

[0274] COP Compaction Process

[0275] DYP dyeing process

[0276] FLP fatliquoring process

Claims

1. A method for processing a mycelial object (30) into a mycelial product (MYP) by using a processing fluid under supercritical conditions, The mycelium object comprises hyphal cells, the hyphal cells having cell walls, the cell walls of the hyphal cells comprising natural polymers including chitin / chitosan polymers, The method for processing the mycelium object (30) further comprises at least one of the following processes: Deacetylation process (DEP), Plasticizing process (PP), Dyeing process (DYP), Fatliquoring process (FLP) and Compaction Process (COP), in, At least one of the following processes is performed by subjecting the mycelium object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions: The deacetylation process (DEP), The plasticizing process (PP), The dyeing process (DYP), The fatliquoring process (FLP), and The compaction process (COP).

2. The method for treating a mycelium object according to claim 1 or 2, in, The method of processing a mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises at least one of the following processes: The deacetylation process (DEP), The plasticizing process (PP), The dyeing process (DYP), and wherein the method further comprises The fatliquoring process (FLP).

3. A method for treating a mycelial object according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The method for processing the mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) comprises at least the following two processes: The plasticizing process (PP), The dyeing process (DYP), wherein the method further comprises The fatliquoring process (FLP), and wherein, At least the plasticizing process (PP) and / or the dyeing process (DYP) are performed by subjecting the mycelium object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, and wherein the fatliquoring process (FLP) is performed under non-supercritical conditions.

4. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized process fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions is performed during a process time (PTI).

5. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: At the beginning of said exposing said mycelial object to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, said mycelial object comprises at least 10% moisture / water by weight.

6. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: performing at least one of the following processes by subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a reactive chemical agent (RCA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions: The deacetylation process (DEP), The plasticizing process (PP), The dyeing process (DYP).

7. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in, The method also includes the step of pre-soaking the mycelium object prior to exposing the object to the reactive chemical agent and the treatment fluid under supercritical conditions.

8. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The method of processing the mycelium object (30) into a mycelium product (MYP) by a fluid under supercritical conditions comprises the following process: Plasticizing process (PP), Dyeing process (DYP), Fat Liquor Process (FLP), and A compaction process (COP), and wherein at least the following processes are performed in the following sequential order: Plasticizing process (PP), Dyeing process (DYP), Fat Liquor Process (FLP).

9. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in, At least the dyeing process is performed by subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a dyeing agent (DYA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

10. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in, The dyeing process is performed by subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a dyeing agent (DYA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions, and the plasticizing process is performed under non-supercritical conditions.

11. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, At least the plasticization process is performed by subjecting the mycelial object to exposure to a cross-linking agent (CRA) and a pressurized processing fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions. In this context, the plasticization process performed by subjecting the mycelium to a cross-linking agent may be referred to as a cross-linking process.

12. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, in, At least the plasticizing process (PP) and the dyeing process (DYP) are performed by subjecting the mycelium object to simultaneous exposure to a cross-linking agent (CRA), a dyeing agent (DYA) and a pressurized treatment fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions.

13. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in, The plasticization process (PP) and the dyeing process (DYP) are performed simultaneously by subjecting the mycelium object to a cross-linking agent (CRA) capable of covalently bonding to the amino groups of chitosan, a dyeing agent (DYA) capable of bonding to the hydroxyl groups of chitin / chitosan and a pressurized treatment fluid (PF) under supercritical conditions capable of effectively penetrating the mycelium.

14. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in, The soaking process (SOP) comprises subjecting the mycelial object to moisture to obtain a moisture content of the mycelial object (30) of at least 10% by weight.

15. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in, The treatment fluid (PF) is / comprises carbon dioxide.

16. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in, The treatment time (PTI) is between 15 seconds and 180 minutes.

17. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in, At temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, the treatment time (PTI) is between 15 seconds and 180 minutes.

18. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in, The chemical reaction reagents include a cross-linking agent.

19. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 20, in, The cross-linking agent is an aldehyde.

20. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: The cross-linking agent is glutaraldehyde.

21. A method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 20, in, The cross-linking agent is sulfuric acid.

22. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 21, in, The cross-linking agent is glyoxal.

23. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein: The crosslinking agent is tripolyphosphate.

24. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein: The cross-linking agent is epichlorohydrin.

25. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 24, The chemical reaction reagents include dyes.

26. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 25, in, The chemical reaction reagents include a re-crosslinking agent.

27. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 26, in, The chemical reaction reagents include a base.

28. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 27, in, The chemical reaction reagent includes an acid.

29. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein: The mycelium object (30) to be treated by the plasticization process comprises a moisture content of at least 10% to 14% by weight of the mycelium product.

30. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 29, in, During the processing time (PTI), at least a portion of the plasticizer is covalently bound to the amine groups of the chitosan polymer in the mycelial object.

31. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 30, in, The percentage of chitosan amine groups covalently bonded to the plasticizer is higher than 50%, such as higher than 60%, such as higher than 70%, such as higher than 80%.

32. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein: The dye is capable of covalently binding to chitin hydroxyl groups.

33. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 32, in, The dye can be covalently bound to the amine groups of chitosan.

34. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 33, The stain is capable of being mechanically attached to the mycelial material.

35. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 34, in, The stain is capable of reacting with the mycelial cell wall structure via van der Waals forces.

36. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 35, in, The stain is capable of reacting with the mycelial cell wall structure through hydrogen bonding.

37. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 36, in, The stain has a functional group, such as an ionic functional group, such as a polar functional group, capable of covalently binding to the hydroxyl groups of chitin.

38. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 37, in, The dye is an ionic dye.

39. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 38, in, The dye is an ionic or anionic dye.

40. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 39, in, The dyes are ionic, anionic, reactive dyes.

41. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 40, in, The dye is water soluble.

42. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 41, in, The processed mycelium objects are filaments or yarns based on the reconstruction of fibrils of chitin polymers.

43. The method for treating a mycelium object according to any one of claims 1 to 42, wherein the method comprises a plasticizing process (PP) and / or a dyeing process (DYP), the method comprising the following processes: - providing (2) a mycelium object, - introducing the mycelial objects (4) into the treatment chamber, - subjecting the mycelium object in the treatment chamber to (6) a pressurized fluid, - controlling (10) the pressure of the pressurized fluid to achieve supercritical conditions, - subjecting said mycelium object to a reactive chemical agent which dissolves and / or is transported in said pressurized fluid for at least a predetermined period of time while said pressurized fluid is under supercritical conditions, - reducing (12) the pressure in the process chamber, - removing (14) said mycelium object from said treatment chamber, in, The process of reducing the pressure in the process chamber includes controlling the pressure reduction over time.

44. A method for treating a mycelial object according to any one of claims 1 to 43, in, The pressurized fluid comprises CO2 having a purity of at least 99.0%, preferably at least 99.9%.

45. An apparatus and / or system for processing mycelial objects (30) into mycelial products (MYP) according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 44.

46. ​​The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the apparatus comprises: - Processing chamber, - a source of pressurized fluid, - a source of reactive chemical reagents, - a pump for increasing the pressure of said pressurized fluid to achieve supercritical conditions, - a pressure reducer for reducing the pressure in the process chamber - a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the pressure reducer to reduce the pressure in the treatment chamber over time after the mycelium object has been subjected to a chemical agent dissolved in a pressurized fluid under supercritical conditions for at least a predetermined period of time.

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