Hypha composite material

Abstract

The invention provides a hypha composite material which can be used as pure plain leather with improved strength and texture. The hypha composite material of the present invention comprises fibers oriented in a first direction, and mycelia, in the hypha composite material, the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the fibers, and the fibers and the mycelia are integrated by culturing proliferated hyphae. One embodiment of the hypha composite material is a laminate in which hypha composite sheets are laminated. The mycelia are preferably mushroom mycelia. In the laminated body, at least a first hypha composite sheet and a second hypha composite sheet are laminated together, and the orientation direction of the fibers of the first hypha composite sheet intersects the orientation direction of the fibers of the second hypha composite sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mycelium composite material. Background Art

[0002] Leather is used in a variety of applications, including clothing and accessories. Leather includes leather made by tanning the fur of mammals such as cows and sheep, or reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles, and synthetic leather that mimics the texture of fur.

[0003] In recent years, from the perspective of animal protection and reducing environmental impact, there has been a search for alternative raw materials to replace animal-derived raw materials or raw materials such as synthetic leather, which uses a large amount of petroleum-derived raw materials. As such alternative raw materials, research has been conducted on raw materials that reproduce the appearance and texture of fur using plant-derived raw materials such as apple leather and mushroom leather. Such raw materials are known as vegan leather.

[0004] Mushroom leather, one type of vegan leather, is a material having a fine fibrous structure made from mushroom mycelium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a composite material comprising a cultured mycelium material and an adhesive.

[0005] Since alternative raw materials to animal-derived leather or synthetic leather are widely used in clothing, accessories, and even furniture, there is a demand for improving their unique texture or strength.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-534025 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mycelium composite material that can be used as vegan leather having improved unique texture and strength.

[0008] That is, the present invention includes the following aspects.

[0009] [1] A mycelium composite material comprising fibers oriented in a first direction and mycelium, wherein the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the fibers, and the fibers and mycelium are integrated by culturing and growing mycelium.

[0010] [2] The mycelium composite material as described in [1], wherein the mycelium composite material is a laminate formed by stacking mycelium composite sheets, wherein at least a first mycelium composite sheet and a second mycelium composite sheet are stacked together, and the orientation direction of the fibers of the first mycelium composite sheet crosses the orientation direction of the fibers of the second mycelium composite sheet.

[0011] [3] The mycelium composite material according to [1] or [2], wherein the fibers have a number average fiber length of 0.001 mm to 5.0 mm when defibrated, and a number average fiber diameter of 1.0 μm to 100.0 μm.

[0012] [4] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein, when the content ratio of the fiber is set to A and the content ratio of the mycelium is set to B, the ratio of A to B (A / B) is 10 / 90 to 90 / 10.

[0013] [5] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the number average fiber diameter of the mycelium is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and the number average fiber diameter of the fibers is 11 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0014] [6] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the mycelium is mycelium of shiitake mushrooms.

[0015] [7] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising a plasticizer.

[0016] [8] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to [7], further comprising starch composite particles.

[0017] [9] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising a cross-linking agent.

[0018]

[10] The mycelium composite material as described in any one of [1] to [9], wherein the total content ratio of the plasticizer, starch composite particles and cross-linking agent relative to the total amount of the mycelium composite material is greater than 2.5% by mass and less than 80% by mass.

[0019]

[11] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to

[10] , comprising a sugar alcohol as a plasticizer.

[0020]

[12] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the plasticizer comprises a sugar alcohol, wherein the sugar alcohol is one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, erythritol, and D-mannitol.

[0021]

[13] The mycelium composite material as described in any one of [1] to

[12] , which contains a plasticizer and starch composite particles, and the content ratio of the plasticizer to the total content of the plasticizer and the starch composite particles (mass percentage 100%) is greater than 10% by mass and less than 80% by mass.

[0022]

[14] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to

[13] , comprising a dicarboxylic acid as a cross-linking agent.

[0023]

[15] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the cross-linking agent comprises a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the dicarboxylic acid is selected from one or more of the group consisting of succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid.

[0024]

[16] A mycelium composite material as described in any one of [1] to

[15] , which contains starch composite particles and a cross-linking agent, and the content ratio of the cross-linking agent to the total content of the starch composite particles and the cross-linking agent (mass percentage 100%) is greater than 1 mass percentage and less than 50 mass percentage.

[0025]

[17] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to

[16] , comprising starch composite particles having an average particle size of 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

[0026]

[18] The mycelium composite material according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the fibers contain cellulose.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, a mycelium composite material that can be used as vegan leather with improved unique texture and strength can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the laminated body according to the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an orientation device used in the production of the mycelium composite material according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Mycelium composite materials

[0032] One embodiment of the present invention is a mycelium composite material comprising fibers oriented in a first direction and mycelium. The mycelium composite material is obtained by culturing and growing mycelium, thereby integrating the fibers and mycelium.

[0033] More specifically, the mycelium composite material of this embodiment uses fibers as a scaffold to grow and cultivate mycelium, thereby integrating the fibers with the mycelium. By orienting the fibers, which serve as the scaffold, in a first direction, the strength in a direction parallel to the fiber orientation is enhanced. Furthermore, because the mycelium is grown and cultivated by filling the gaps between the fibers, the fibers and mycelium become integrated, thereby also improving the strength in a direction intersecting the fiber orientation. Here, the term "integration" includes states such as fibers and mycelium being entangled with each other, mycelium being wrapped around fibers, and mycelium being adhered to the fiber surface.

[0034] In this specification, the term "hyphae" refers to the elongated cells that make up a fungus. Hyphae grow through their tips, thereby extending or branching. The term "mycelium" refers to the aggregate of hyphae.

[0035] In this specification, "culture and growth" means intentionally growing hyphae.

[0036] The mycelium composite material of this embodiment is composed of mycelium grown through natural proliferation and culture. This mycelium composite material, composed of mycelium grown through natural proliferation, can reproduce a texture similar to the appearance and feel of suede, a leather made by tanning short, raised fur. Furthermore, various textures can be reproduced depending on the processing method.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mycelium composite material is a single-layer mycelium composite sheet.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mycelium composite material is a laminated body in which single-layer mycelium composite sheets are laminated together.

[0039] When the mycelium composite material is a laminate, at least a first mycelium composite sheet and a second mycelium composite sheet are laminated, and the orientation direction of the fibers of the first mycelium composite sheet intersects the orientation direction of the fibers of the second mycelium composite sheet. The first mycelium composite sheet and the second mycelium composite sheet are each a single-layer mycelium composite sheet, which is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the mycelium composite material is a laminate, if a mycelium composite sheet is used as the outermost layer, sheets made of other raw materials may be used as intermediate layers or bottom layers of the laminate. Sheets made of other raw materials may include vegan leather such as apple leather or petroleum-based sheets.

[0041] exist Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a laminate 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The laminate 1 is a laminate in which a first mycelium composite sheet 10 and a second mycelium composite sheet 20 are laminated together. Figure 1In the figure, the arrows indicated by dotted lines indicate the orientation direction of the fibers of the first mycelium composite sheet, and the arrows indicated by solid lines indicate the orientation direction of the fibers of the second mycelium composite sheet.

[0042] In the laminate 1 , the orientation direction of the fibers of the first mycelium composite sheet indicated by the dotted line intersects with the orientation direction of the fibers of the second mycelium composite sheet indicated by the solid line.

[0043] While a single-layer mycelium composite sheet is strong, it tends to break easily along the fiber orientation. When a first mycelium composite sheet and a second mycelium composite sheet are stacked so that their fiber orientations intersect, the stacked mycelium composite sheets complement each other's strength, resulting in a mycelium composite material with even greater strength.

[0044] When the mycelium composite material is a laminate, it is sufficient to alternately laminate single-layer mycelium composite sheets so that the orientation directions of the fibers intersect. The number of laminated layers is not particularly limited and can be appropriately adjusted according to the desired strength or texture.

[0045] fiber

[0046] The fibers constituting the mycelium composite material are oriented in a first direction. In this specification, the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the fibers, and the longitudinal direction of the fibers means the direction along a straight line connecting both ends of the fibers.

[0047] Examples of the fiber include cellulose fiber, cotton fiber, rayon fiber, lyocell fiber, TENCEL (trademark) fiber, polypropylene fiber, and combinations thereof. Of these, from the perspective of using plant-derived raw materials, it is preferred to use fibers containing cellulose.

[0048] The number average fiber length of the fibers when defibrated is preferably 0.001 mm to 5.0 mm, more preferably 0.002 mm to 3.0 mm, and even more preferably 0.003 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0049] When the number average fiber length of the fibers during defibration is within the above range, the fibers can be easily oriented in the first direction, and a mycelium composite material in which the fibers are appropriately entangled with each other can be easily obtained, and the mechanical strength of the mycelium composite material can be particularly improved.

[0050] The number average fiber diameter of the fibers is preferably 1.0 μm to 100.0 μm, more preferably 3.0 μm to 50.0 μm. If the number average fiber diameter of the fibers is within the above range, the mechanical strength of the mycelium composite material can be particularly improved.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, from the viewpoint of improving the mechanical strength of the mycelium composite material, the fiber diameter of the fibers is preferably larger than the fiber diameter of the mycelium, and preferably, the number average fiber diameter of the mycelium is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and the number average fiber diameter of the fibers is 11 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the content ratio of the fibers to the total amount of the mycelium composite material is A and the content ratio of the mycelium is B, the ratio of A to B (A / B) is preferably 10 / 90 to 90 / 10.

[0053] The ratio of A to B can be adjusted appropriately according to the desired texture.

[0054] For example, when the ratio (A / B) is in the range of 10 / 90 to 30 / 70 and the ratio of mycelium is high, a fluffy and soft texture or a suede-like texture can be reproduced.

[0055] When the ratio (A / B) is within the range of 70 / 30 to 90 / 10 and the ratio of mycelium is low, the texture of cowhide, sheepskin, snakeskin, crocodile leather, and the like can be reproduced.

[0056] mycelium

[0057] Examples of mycelium include Lentinula edodes, Agaricus arvensis, Agrocybe brasiliensis, Amylomyces rouxii, species of the genus Amylomyces, Armillaria mellea, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Ceriporia lacerata, Coprinus comatus, Fibroporia vaillantii, Fistulina hepatica, Flammulina velutipes, Fomitopsis officinalis, Ganoderma sessile, Ganoderma tsugae, Hericium erinaceus, and the like. erinaceus), Hypholoma capnoides, Hypholoma sublaterium, Inonotus obliquus, Lactarius chrysorrheus, Macrolepiota procera, Morchella angusticeps, Myceliophthora thermophila, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium camembertii, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium rubens, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus ostreatus, Polyporus squamosus, Psathyrella aquatica), Rhizopus microspores, Rhizopus oryzae, Schizophyllum commune, Streptomyces venezuelaevenezuelae), Stropharia rugosoannulata, Thielavia terrestris, and Ustilago maydis.

[0058] Among the aforementioned mycelia, from the viewpoint of improving the texture of the mycelial composite material, the mycelia are preferably those of a fungus that forms a fruiting body that is a basidiosporium. Examples of such mycelia include Lentinula edodes, Agaricus arvensis, Agrocybe brasiliensis, Amylomyces rouxii, species of the genus Amylomyces, Armillaria mellea, Aspergillus nidulans, Ceriporialacerata, Coprinus comatus, Fibroporia vaillantii, Fistulina hepatica, Flammulina velutipes, Fomitopsis officinalis, Ganoderma sessile, Ganoderma tsugae, Hericium erinaceus, Hypholoma suffruticosa, and Ganoderma tsugae. capnoides), Hypholoma sublaterium, Inonotus obliquus, Lactarius chrysorrheus, Macrolepiota procera, Morchella angusticeps, Myceliophthora thermophila, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus ostreatus, Polyporus squamosus, Psathyrella aquatica, Rhizopus microspores, Rhizopus oryzae, Schizophyllum commune, Streptomyces venezuelae, Stropharia rugosoannulata, and Thielavia terrestris) or more mycelia.

[0059] Furthermore, the mycelium is preferably one or more mycelia selected from the group consisting of Lentinula edodes, Agaricus arvensis, Armillaria mellea, Flammulina velutipes, Hericium erinaceus, Hypholoma capnoides, Hypholoma sublaterium, Morchella angusticeps, and Polyporus squamosus, more preferably one or more mycelia selected from the group consisting of Lentinula edodes, Flammulina velutipes, Hericium erinaceus, Hypholoma capnoides, and Hypholoma sublaterium, and particularly preferably the mycelium of Lentinula edodes.

[0060] Whether a mycelium composite material contains mycelium can be confirmed by detecting α-glucan and β-glucan, which are components derived from mycelium. Syringic acid, vanillic acid, and arabinoxylan, which are components derived from mycelium, are unique to Lentinus edodes. Detecting these can confirm the presence of Lentinus edodes mycelium.

[0061] Any ingredient

[0062] The mycelium composite material preferably contains a plasticizer, starch composite particles, and a cross-linking agent as optional components.

[0063] Plasticizer

[0064] The plasticizer is not particularly limited as long as it can impart softness or elasticity to the mycelium composite material. Examples thereof include one or more selected from the group consisting of oil, glycerin, fatliquor, sugar alcohol, diethoxydimethylammonium chloride, nonionic surfactants (e.g., Tween 20, Tween 80), water, ethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, water, acetylated monoglyceride, and epoxidized soybean oil.

[0065] The plasticizer used in the present embodiment is preferably a sugar alcohol, and the sugar alcohol is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, erythritol, and D-mannitol.

[0066] Starch composite granules

[0067] The starch composite granules function as a binding material for fibers and mycelium. Since the starch composite granules are derived from biomass, they can effectively address environmental issues and conserve natural resources.

[0068] Starch composite particles are, for example, particles containing starch and an external plasticizer, wherein the starch is externally plasticized. External plasticization of the starch can be achieved, for example, by mixing a compound having multiple functional groups in the molecule that can form hydrogen bonds with functional groups of the starch with the starch.

[0069] Starch plasticized by an external plasticizer is a polymer material composed of multiple α-glucose molecules polymerized through glycosidic bonds. Examples of starch include amylose and amylopectin.

[0070] Although the weight average molecular weight of starch is not particularly limited, starch that has been subjected to a chemical treatment such as acid treatment and has a polymerization average molecular weight of approximately 40,000 to 600,000 may be used.

[0071] As starch, for example, starch derived from various plants can be used, for example, starch derived from cereals such as corn, wheat, and rice; beans such as broad beans, mung beans, and adzuki beans; tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava; weeds such as dogtooth weeds, bracken, and kudzu; and palms such as sago palms.

[0072] As the external plasticizer, for example, a compound having a plurality of functional groups in the molecule capable of forming hydrogen bonds with functional groups of starch can be suitably used.

[0073] Examples of the functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond include a hydroxyl group, an amino group, and a carboxyl group.

[0074] Examples of the external plasticizer include glycols such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, butylene glycol, polyglycerol, and thiodiglycol; sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, maltose, lactose, starch syrup, trehalose, and maltose; sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, reduced starch syrup, erythritol, mannitol, lactitol, and isomalt; sugar derivatives such as sucralose; hydroxy acids such as tartaric acid; polyols such as polyvinyl alcohol, trehalose, polyhydroxy(meth)acrylate, and hyaluronic acid; polyamines such as urea and thiourea; hydroxy acids such as tartaric acid; polycarboxylic acids such as hyaluronic acid; and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. These substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0075] In particular, the external plasticizer preferably contains at least one of a polyol, a polyamine, and a polycarboxylic acid.

[0076] The content of the external plasticizer in the starch composite granules is preferably 12% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less, and further preferably 20% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less.

[0077] The starch composite particles preferably have an average particle size of 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

[0078] Cross-linking agent

[0079] The crosslinking agent is preferably a compound capable of covalently bonding the fibers. Crosslinking, as used herein, encompasses bonding between the fibers and the mycelium, as well as bonding between the fibers, the mycelium, and other components. Adding a crosslinking agent can improve the moisture resistance of the mycelium composite material.

[0080] The cross-linking agent is preferably a carboxylic acid, more preferably a dicarboxylic acid or a polycarboxylic acid, and even more preferably a dicarboxylic acid.

[0081] The dicarboxylic acid is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, fumaric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid.

[0082] The polycarboxylic acid is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of citric acid, butanetetracarboxylic acid, and iminodisuccinic acid.

[0083] The total content ratio of the plasticizer, starch composite particles and cross-linking agent to the total amount of the mycelium composite material is preferably 2.5% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less.

[0084] When the total content ratio of the plasticizer, the starch composite particles, and the cross-linking agent is within the above range, a mycelium composite material having improved softness and moisture resistance in addition to texture and strength can be obtained.

[0085] In the case where the mycelium composite material contains a plasticizer and starch composite particles, the content ratio of the plasticizer to the total content of the plasticizer and the starch composite particles (mass percentage 100%) is preferably greater than 10% by mass and less than 80% by mass, and more preferably greater than 20% by mass and less than 60% by mass.

[0086] When the total content of the plasticizers is within the above range, a mycelium composite material having improved moisture resistance can be obtained.

[0087] In the case where the mycelium composite material contains starch composite particles and a cross-linking agent, the content ratio of the cross-linking agent relative to the total content of the starch composite particles and the cross-linking agent (mass percentage 100%) is preferably greater than 1 mass percentage and less than 50 mass percentage, and more preferably greater than 2 mass percentage and less than 40 mass percentage.

[0088] When the starch composite particles and the cross-linking agent are within the above ranges, a mycelium composite material having improved strength and moisture resistance can be obtained.

[0089] Method for manufacturing mycelium composite material

[0090] The method for producing the mycelium composite material will be described separately as follows: a method for producing a single-layer mycelium composite sheet, that is, a method for producing a mycelium composite material, that is, a method for producing a laminated body, that is, a method for producing a mycelium composite material.

[0091] Manufacturing method 1

[0092] Production method 1 includes a step of obtaining a fiber base material in which fibers are oriented in a first direction, and a step of culturing and growing mycelia using the obtained fiber base material as a culture medium.

[0093] Process of obtaining fiber base material

[0094] This step yields a fiber base material in which the fibers are oriented in the first direction and the fiber density is further adjusted. Methods for orienting the fibers in the first direction include using an orienting device, squeezing with rollers to orient the fibers in the first direction, and filtering with comb teeth to orient the fibers in the first direction.

[0095] Regarding the alignment device used in this embodiment, Figure 2 To explain. Figure 2 The orientation device 2 shown includes a dry defibrination unit 21 and a container 23. The defibrination unit 21 and the container 23 are connected by a supply pipe 22. The container 23 further includes an exhaust pipe 24. The supply pipe 22 and the exhaust pipe 24 are provided on opposing walls of the container 23. The arrangement of the supply pipe 22 and the exhaust pipe 24 allows the airflow supplied to the container 23 to be exhausted in the straight line direction indicated by reference numeral 25.

[0096] The wall 23a of the container 23 connected to the supply pipe 22 is made of a relatively coarse mesh with a mesh size of 1.0 μm or more and 100.0 μm or less. The wall 23b, which is opposite to the wall 23a, is made of a relatively fine mesh with a mesh size of 0.9 μm or more and 99 μm or less. The wall 23b is provided with the exhaust pipe 24. However, the mesh size of the wall 23a is larger than that of the wall 23b.

[0097] The dry defibrating unit 21 is a dry defibrating device equipped with an airflow generating mechanism. The fiber raw material pellets 20 introduced into the dry defibrating unit 21 are defibrated by the dry defibrating unit 21, thereby forming defibrated fibers. The defibrated fibers are supplied to a container 23 through a supply pipe 22, following the airflow generated by the airflow generating mechanism of the dry defibrating unit 21.

[0098] As the defibrated fibers pass through the coarse mesh wall 23a, they are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the fibers by the mesh openings. Only the airflow passes through the fine mesh wall 23b and is exhausted. As a result, fibers 27 aligned along the longitudinal direction 26 are accumulated in the container 23.

[0099] In the process of obtaining the fiber base material, the fiber density can be appropriately adjusted according to the desired texture and strength, but is preferably 0.001 g / cm 3 Above and 2g / cm 3 Below, more preferably, 0.01g / cm 3 Above 1g / cm 3 Below, more preferably, it is adjusted to 0.1g / cm 3 Above and 0.5g / cm 3 the following.

[0100] When a fiber base material having a fiber density within the above-mentioned range is used, mycelia tend to grow uniformly, and a mycelium composite sheet having uniform texture and strength can be easily obtained.

[0101] The process of growing mycelium using a fiber base as a culture medium

[0102] The step of culturing and growing mycelia may be performed by using the fiber substrate obtained in the above step of obtaining the fiber substrate as a scaffold and adding culture medium components to culture mycelia on the fiber substrate. Alternatively, mycelia may be cultured in advance before the main culture.

[0103] The pre-culture is an operation of obtaining a proliferative body of target mycelium cultured purely in advance before the mycelium is cultured on the fiber base material.

[0104] When mycelia are cultured in advance, the selected mycelia derived from the fungus are inoculated and cultured on a known liquid medium or a known solid medium. The liquid medium is, for example, an aqueous solution containing medium components such as meat extract or sugar, or the solid medium is an agar medium solidified with agar.

[0105] When pre-culture is performed, hyphae are inoculated on a liquid culture medium or a solid culture medium, culture is performed in a culture chamber, and after confirming the elongation of hyphae, culture is performed until a desired amount of seed bacteria is obtained.

[0106] The formal culture can be started by inoculating mycelium on a fiber base medium with culture medium components added to the fiber base, or by inoculating mycelium pre-cultured with a solid culture medium on the fiber base medium, or by flowing mycelium pre-cultured with a liquid culture medium into the fiber base together with the liquid culture medium.

[0107] As culture medium components, known components can be used, including lignocellulose, monosaccharides (e.g., dextrose, glucose), complex sugars, agar, malt extract, nitrogen sources (e.g., ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, amino acids), and other minerals (e.g., magnesium sulfate, phosphoric acid).

[0108] Examples of standard agar media commonly used for culturing mycelia include enhanced malt extract agar (MEA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), oatmeal agar (OMA), and dog food agar (DFA), but are not limited to these.

[0109] The culture temperature for the main culture is carried out in the presence of oxygen and may be appropriately adjusted between approximately 20°C and 40°C depending on the type of fungus.

[0110] The main culture is carried out under conditions such as exposure to light, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration to prevent the formation of fruiting bodies.

[0111] Through the main culture step, the mycelium grows using the fibers of the fiber substrate as a support, and a mycelium composite material in which the fibers and mycelium are integrated can be obtained.

[0112] The main culture step is completed at the point in time when no change is observed in the appearance viewed from the upper surface and the change in thickness in the cross-sectional direction stops (the point in time when the thickness is saturated).

[0113] Any process

[0114] Plasticizers, starch composite particles, and cross-linking agents may be added to the obtained mycelium composite material according to desired strength or texture.

[0115] Manufacturing method 2

[0116] Manufacturing method 2 involves stacking the single-layer mycelium composite sheets obtained by manufacturing method 1 to produce a laminate. For single-layer mycelium composite sheets, the single-layer mycelium composite sheets are alternately stacked so that the fiber orientations intersect. The layers can be integrated by applying heat and pressure, or by bonding the layers together using an adhesive. Alternatively, mycelium can be inoculated between individual mycelium composite sheets and allowed to grow across them, thereby integrating the mycelium composite sheets.

[0117] Example

[0118] According to the present invention, the mycelium can be grown along a regularly oriented substrate.

[0119] The mycelium composite sheet of the present invention has an appearance or a fabric-like design that is derived from the orientation of the substrate and has a smooth feel and strength in the orientation direction.

[0120] In contrast, conventional mushroom leather is obtained by randomly kneading mycelium and a base material.

[0121] Conventional mushroom leather was simply a mixture of materials, lacking a distinctive appearance and resulting in a fully coated design. Furthermore, conventional mushroom leather had a rubbery feel and was easy to unravel due to its uniform strength.

Claims

1. A mycelium composite material comprising fibers oriented in a first direction and mycelium, wherein: The first direction is the length direction of the fiber, The fibers and the mycelium are integrated by culturing and growing mycelia.

2. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1, wherein: The mycelium composite material is a laminated body formed by stacking mycelium composite sheets. At least a first mycelium composite sheet and a second mycelium composite sheet are laminated together, The orientation direction of the fibers of the first mycelium composite sheet intersects with the orientation direction of the fibers of the second mycelium composite sheet.

3. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fibers have a number average fiber length of 0.001 mm to 5.0 mm inclusive and a number average fiber diameter of 1.0 μm to 100.0 μm inclusive when defibrated.

4. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the content ratio of the fibers is defined as A and the content ratio of the mycelium is defined as B, the ratio of A to B (A / B) is 10 / 90 to 90 / 10.

5. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The number average fiber diameter of the hyphae is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and the number average fiber diameter of the fibers is 11 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

6. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The mycelium is the mycelium of Lentinus edodes.

7. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also contains plasticizers.

8. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also contains starch composite granules.

9. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also includes a cross-linking agent.

10. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The total content ratio of the plasticizer, the starch composite particles and the cross-linking agent to the total amount of the mycelium composite material is greater than 2.5% by mass and less than 80% by mass.

11. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Sugar alcohol is contained as a plasticizer.

12. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plasticizer contains sugar alcohol, which is one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, erythritol, and D-mannitol.

13. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The invention comprises a plasticizer and starch composite particles, wherein the content ratio of the plasticizer to the total content (mass percentage 100%) of the plasticizer and the starch composite particles is greater than 10% by mass and less than 80% by mass.

14. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A dicarboxylic acid is contained as a cross-linking agent.

15. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cross-linking agent contains a dicarboxylic acid of at least one selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid.

16. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The invention comprises starch composite particles and a cross-linking agent, wherein the content ratio of the cross-linking agent to the total content (mass percentage 100%) of the starch composite particles and the cross-linking agent is greater than 1 mass percentage and less than 50 mass percentage.

17. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The present invention comprises composite starch particles having an average particle size of 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

18. The mycelium composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fibers comprise cellulose.

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