Molded body manufacturing method and molded body

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for producing a molded product that is water-resistant without impairing biodegradability and that can minimize the risk of causing rashes to users, and the molded product. [Solution] The following steps are carried out in this order: a step of mixing an appropriate substrate with a basidiomycete seed culture to obtain a fungal bed; a molding step of filling the obtained fungal bed into a mold of the required shape; a step of applying pressure to the mold filled with the fungal bed to obtain a molded fungal bed; a cultivation step of cultivating the seed culture in the obtained molded fungal bed to form fruiting bodies and obtain a cultured molded fungal bed; and a drying step of drying the obtained cultured molded fungal bed to obtain a molded body.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a biodegradable molded article molded into a suitable shape, and to the molded article. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to strong global demand for environmental conservation, biodegradable molded articles have been developed to replace plastic molded articles that are molded into various shapes such as flat or three-dimensional shapes. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 described below disclose the following methods for producing such biodegradable molded articles.

[0003] That is, in the former method, crushed plant fiber materials such as bamboo or sugarcane pomace are mixed with a naturally decomposable binder such as starch paste, and the mixture is molded in a mold, and then dried and solidified to obtain a packaging container.

[0004] On the other hand, in the latter method, grains such as buckwheat, buckwheat husks, or rice husks are crushed into powder or granules, which are then mixed with cashew paint, a lacquer-based synthetic resin paint made from ingredients extracted from cashew nuts, as a binder.The mixture is then filled into a mold and molded by applying high pressure at a temperature of approximately 160°C to 190°C to obtain a molded product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-242225 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-91340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the former method involves simply kneading ground plant fiber material with starch glue, molding it, and then drying and solidifying it, which results in poor water resistance and the problem of the starch glue leaching out into the added liquid, making it impossible to maintain the structure of the molded body. In contrast, the latter method uses a cashew paint, a lacquer-based synthetic resin paint, as a binder, which provides water resistance, but the cashew paint solidifies under high temperature and pressure, significantly reducing biodegradability. Furthermore, because the cashew paint is a lacquer-based synthetic resin paint, there is a risk that users who come into contact with it may develop a rash.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a method for producing a molded body that is water-resistant without impairing biodegradability and that can minimize the risk of causing rashes to the user, and the molded body itself. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The method for producing a molded body according to the present invention is characterized by carrying out the following steps in this order: a step of mixing an appropriate substrate with a basidiomycete seed culture to obtain a fungal bed; a molding step of filling the obtained fungal bed into a mold of a required shape; a step of applying pressure to the mold filled with the fungal bed to obtain a molded fungal bed; a cultivation step of cultivating the seed culture in the obtained molded fungal bed to form fruiting bodies and obtain a cultured molded fungal bed; and a drying step of drying the obtained cultured molded fungal bed to obtain a molded body.

[0009] In the method for producing molded bodies of the present invention, a fungal bed is obtained by mixing an appropriate substrate with a basidiomycete seed culture, the obtained fungal bed is filled into a mold of a required shape, and pressure is applied to the mold filled with the fungal bed to obtain a molded fungal bed. Next, the seed culture in the obtained molded fungal bed is cultured to form fruiting bodies, and the obtained cultured molded fungal bed is dried to obtain a molded body.

[0010] The type of basidiomycete used in the present invention can be any mushroom that is suitable for fungal bed cultivation, such as king oyster mushroom, shimeji mushroom, or shiitake mushroom, but edible fungi that do not emit or emit almost no odor before and after drying, such as king oyster mushroom or shimeji mushroom, are preferred. This is because basidiomycetes that emit little or no odor before and after drying are less likely to cause discomfort to users of the molded product, and edible basidiomycetes are guaranteed to be safe even if users come into contact with the molded product.

[0011] The substrate used in the present invention can be selected from a variety of materials depending on the type of basidiomycete to be grown, but the use of vegetable waste is preferable from the perspective of environmental conservation. Examples of vegetable waste include used mushroom beds used in the cultivation of mushrooms such as king oyster mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms, discarded cut flowers, sawdust, fruit, or sugarcane pulp. On the other hand, materials used in the cultivation of basidiomycetes, such as wheat bran, rice bran, dried soybean pulp, and powdered cellulose, can be used as substrates other than vegetable waste. Several of these rich nutrient substrates can be combined, or one or more of the rich nutrient substrates can be combined with one or more of the vegetable waste materials.

[0012] The base material is then mixed with a basidiomycete seed culture to obtain a fungal bed, which is then filled into a mold of the required shape by applying pressure to the mold filled with the fungal bed to obtain a molded fungal bed, and the seed culture in the molded fungal bed is cultivated to form fruiting bodies. The particles that make up the hardened fungal bed are bound and held together by the basidiomycete mycelium that grows in a mesh-like pattern within the fungal bed, so the three-dimensional structure of the molded body is maintained without the need for a binder as in the past.

[0013] Furthermore, since no binder is mixed into the molded body, the risk of rashes or the like occurring to the user can be minimized.

[0014] On the other hand, since the fruiting bodies are water-resistant, a molded culture bed on which fruiting bodies are formed on the entire surface is water-resistant as a whole without impairing biodegradability.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention The method for producing a molded body according to the above uses, as the mold, a female mold of an appropriate shape and a male mold that is fitted into the female mold, and the culture process is characterized by carrying out a first-stage culture process in which a seed culture is cultured with a bacterial bed filled into the pair of male and female molds, a second-stage culture process in which the culture is continued further with the male mold removed from the female mold, and a third-stage culture process in which the cultured molded bacterial bed removed from the female mold is further cultured.

[0016] In the method for producing a molded body of the present invention, a female mold of an appropriate shape and a male mold to be fitted into the female mold are used as the molds described above. The culture process includes a first-stage culture process in which a fungal bed is filled into the pair of male and female molds and a seed culture is cultured, a second-stage culture process in which the male mold is removed from the female mold and the culture is continued, and a third-stage culture process in which the cultured molded fungal bed removed from the female mold is further cultured.

[0017] In molded fungal beds formed using male and female molds, the growth of the inoculated seed culture is inhibited by the pressure applied during molding, which may allow contamination by foreign bacteria from the outside air. However, as described above, after the first stage of cultivation in which the mycelium in the fungal bed is grown within the male and female molds is carried out, the second stage of cultivation in which the male mold is removed is carried out, and then the third stage of cultivation in which the mold is removed is carried out. This gradually increases the area of ​​the molded fungal bed that comes into contact with the outside air according to the growth of the seed culture in the fungal bed, thereby reliably preventing contamination by foreign bacteria from the outside air.

[0018] ( 2 ) The method for producing a molded body according to the present invention is characterized in that the seed culture in the bacterial bed is cultured before the molding step is carried out.

[0019] In the method for producing a molded body of the present invention, the seed culture in the culture bed is cultured before the molding step is carried out. It is preferable that such culture be carried out in a sterile environment as much as possible.

[0020] This allows pressure to be applied to a mold filled with the fungal bed to obtain a molded fungal bed, and when culturing the seed culture in the obtained molded fungal bed, the cultivation speed of the seed culture can be made as fast as possible, and the introduction of unwanted bacteria from the outside air can be more reliably prevented when culturing in the molded fungal bed.

[0021] ( 3 ) The method for producing a molded body according to the present invention is characterized in that the surface of the molded body is subjected to a finishing treatment.

[0022] In the method for producing a molded body of the present invention, the surface of the molded body obtained by the drying process is subjected to a finishing treatment. The finishing treatment may involve applying a sodium alginate solution and then spraying a calcium lactate solution to form a waterproof layer. For example, although the fruiting bodies formed on the entire surface of a molded body molded into a flowerpot shape are water-resistant, the fungal bed is permeable because it is made of a powdery or granular material, and there are also fine gaps within the fruiting bodies formed on the entire surface of the molded body. Therefore, the molded body that has been subjected to the drying treatment cannot retain water sprayed inside.

[0023] However, the membrane-like layer of calcium alginate formed by the reaction of sodium alginate and calcium lactate is waterproof, and by forming such a waterproof layer on the surface of the molded body, the pores in the fungal bed and the gaps in the fruiting body are sealed, resulting in a waterproof molded body that can function as a flowerpot.

[0024] On the other hand, when the molded body is to be used as an accessory or ornament, for example, it is possible to apply a pattern or color to the surface without forming the waterproof layer, or to perform finishing processes such as attaching a string or chain as needed. As described above, since no binder is mixed into this molded body, even if a waterproof layer is not formed on the surface, it is possible to minimize the risk of the user developing a rash.

[0025] ( 4 In the method for producing a molded body according to the present invention, the pressure applied to the mold is 4.0 N / m 2More than 5.5N / m 2 The present invention is characterized by the following:

[0026] In the method for producing a molded body of the present invention, the pressure applied to the mold is 4.0 N / m 2 More than 5.5N / m 2 The pressure applied to the mold is 4.0 N / m 2 If the pressure applied to the mold is less than 5.5 N / m, the force to harden the culture bed into the required shape is weak, making it difficult to maintain the three-dimensional structure of the molded product. 2 If the pressure applied to the mold exceeds 4.0 N / m, the mushroom bed will be overly compacted, preventing sufficient intake of outside air into the mushroom bed and inhibiting the growth of basidiomycetes. 2 More than 5.5N / m 2 If the temperature is below this, the three-dimensional structure of the molded body is maintained, while sufficient outside air is taken into the culture bed, allowing the basidiomycetes to grow well.

[0027] ( 5 ) The method for producing a molded body according to the present invention is characterized in that the particle size of the base material is adjusted to 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0028] In the method for producing a molded body of the present invention, the particle size of the aforementioned substrate is adjusted to 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less. If the particle size of the substrate is less than 0.04 mm, when the substrate is filled into a mold and the required pressure is applied, the intake of outside air into the culture bed is insufficient, inhibiting the growth of basidiomycetes. Furthermore, if the particle size of the substrate exceeds 15 mm, the particle size of the substrate becomes coarse, and even when the required pressure is applied after filling into the mold, it is difficult to maintain the shape after demolding.

[0029] In contrast, when the particle size of the substrate is 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less, even when the required pressure is applied after molding, sufficient outside air can be taken into the fungal bed, allowing the basidiomycetes to grow well.The molded fungal bed is then sufficiently hardened by the pressure applied to it, and the particles that make up the hardened fungal bed are bonded and held together by the basidiomycete mycelium that grows in a mesh-like pattern within the bed, so the three-dimensional structure of the molded product is maintained.

[0030] The present invention The molded body is characterized in that a fungal bed made by mixing an appropriate base material and a basidiomycete seed culture is molded into the required shape, and comprises a molded fungal bed portion with mycelium grown inside, and a fruiting body portion formed on the surface of the molded fungal bed portion.

[0031] The molded body of the present invention comprises a molded fungal bed, which is a mixture of an appropriate substrate and a basidiomycete inoculum, molded into the required shape, and which comprises a molded fungal bed portion with mycelia grown inside and a fruiting body portion formed on the surface of the molded fungal bed portion. The substrate and basidiomycete are as described above. In the molded fungal bed portion with mycelia grown inside, the particles that make up the hardened fungal bed are held together by the basidiomycete mycelia that grow in a mesh-like pattern within the fungal bed, so the three-dimensional structure of the molded body is maintained without the need for a binder as in the past. Furthermore, because no binder is mixed into this molded body, the risk of users developing rashes and the like can be minimized.

[0032] On the other hand, since the fruiting bodies are water-resistant, a molded culture bed on which fruiting bodies are formed on the entire surface is water-resistant as a whole without impairing biodegradability.

[0033] ( 6 ) The present invention The manufacturing method of the molded body is , In the drying step, Density is 0.3±0.05g / cm 3 The molded culture bed is dried until it becomes molded. It is characterized by:

[0034] Molded body of the present invention Manufacturing method In this case, In the drying step,Density is 0.3±0.05g / cm 3 The molded culture bed is dried until it becomes a molded product. This not only improves the storage stability of the molded body, but also kills the grown basidiomycetes, preventing them from recovering their growth.

[0035] The present invention The molded body according to the above aspect is characterized in that the particle diameter of the base material is 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0036] In the molded body of the present invention, the particle size of the aforementioned substrate is 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less. As before, if the particle size of the substrate is less than 0.04 mm, when the substrate is filled into a mold and the required pressure is applied, the intake of outside air into the inside of the fungal bed is insufficient, and the growth of the basidiomycetes is inhibited. Furthermore, if the particle size of the substrate exceeds 15 mm, the particle size of the substrate becomes coarse, and even when the required pressure is applied after filling into the mold, it is difficult to maintain the shape after demolding.

[0037] In contrast, when the particle size of the substrate is 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less, even when the required pressure is applied after molding, sufficient outside air can be taken into the fungal bed, allowing the basidiomycetes to grow well.The molded fungal bed is then sufficiently hardened by the pressure applied to it, and the particles that make up the hardened fungal bed are bonded and held together by the basidiomycete mycelium that grows in a mesh-like pattern within the bed, so the three-dimensional structure of the molded product is maintained.

[0038] ( 7 ) The present invention The manufacturing method of the molded body is , When performing a finishing treatment on the surface of the molded body, and a biodegradable waterproof layer. formation It is characterized by:

[0039] The present invention For manufacturing methods of molded bodies In that case, as mentioned above When applying finishing treatment to the surface of a molded body and a biodegradable waterproof layer. formationFor example, a waterproof layer can be formed by applying a sodium alginate solution and then spraying a calcium lactate solution. Although the fruiting bodies formed on the entire surface of a molded product molded into a flowerpot shape are water-resistant, the fungal bed is permeable because it is made of a powdery or granular material, and there are also minute gaps within the fruiting bodies formed on the entire surface of the molded product, so that a molded product that has been dried as is cannot retain water sprayed inside.

[0040] However, by forming the waterproof layer on the surface of the molded body, the pores in the fungal bed and the gaps in the fruiting bodies are sealed, making the molded body waterproof and allowing it to function as a flowerpot. On the other hand, the waterproof layer of calcium alginate is biodegradable, so it does not increase the environmental load.

[0041] Furthermore, even if a user is allergic to the fruiting bodies of basidiomycetes, forming a waterproof layer on the surface of the fruiting bodies prevents the user from coming into direct contact with the fruiting bodies, thereby avoiding allergic reactions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing procedure of a molded body according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a molded body according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The method for producing a molded body and the molded body according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The molded body and the manufacturing method thereof described in this embodiment are merely examples for explaining the gist of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes modifications and alterations within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the procedure for producing a molded body according to the present invention, and the details will be explained according to this flow chart.

[0045] The molded body according to the present invention is produced by growing a basidiomycete that forms hyphae and fruiting bodies on a substrate molded into an appropriate shape as described below, and the substrate is prepared as shown in Fig. 1 (Step S1). Basidiomycetes are also commonly called mushrooms.

[0046] The substrate can be selected from a variety of materials depending on the type of basidiomycete to be grown, but the use of plant waste is preferable from the viewpoint of environmental conservation. Examples of plant waste include, but are not limited to, used mushroom beds used in the cultivation of mushrooms such as king oyster mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms, discarded cut flowers, sawdust, and squeezed residue from fruits or sugarcane. Because discarded cut flowers and squeezed residue have a relatively high moisture content, they are dried to a moisture content similar to that of used mushroom beds to improve storage stability and make them easier to handle.

[0047] On the other hand, as substrates other than plant waste, for example, materials used for cultivating basidiomycetes, such as bran, rice bran, dried soybean lees, powdered cellulose, etc., can be used, and several of these rich nutrient substrates may be used in combination, or one or more of the rich nutrient substrates may be used in combination with one or more of the plant wastes. Since all of the plant wastes exemplified above are oligotrophic substrates, they can be combined with a rich nutrient substrate to function as a fungal bed for basidiomycetes.

[0048] Here, the particle size of the substrate is 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less. If the particle size of the substrate is less than 0.04 mm, when the substrate is filled into a mold and the required pressure is applied as described below, the outside air is not sufficiently taken into the inside of the fungal bed, and the growth of the basidiomycetes is inhibited. Furthermore, if the particle size of the substrate exceeds 15 mm, the particle size of the substrate becomes coarse, and even if the required pressure is applied after filling into the mold, it is difficult to maintain the shape after demolding.

[0049] In contrast, when the particle size of the substrate is 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less, even when the required pressure is applied after molding, sufficient outside air can be taken into the fungal bed, allowing the basidiomycetes to grow well.The molded fungal bed is then sufficiently hardened by the pressure applied to it, and the particles that make up the hardened fungal bed are bonded and held together by the basidiomycete mycelium that grows in a mesh-like pattern within the bed, so the three-dimensional structure of the molded product is maintained.

[0050] This base material is prepared by mixing the aforementioned appropriate materials in appropriate ratios. Before or after mixing, the mixture is sterilized by heat, for example, at a temperature of approximately 60°C to approximately 80°C for about 30 minutes, and then allowed to cool to room temperature in an environment as protected from air as possible. Sterilization can also be performed under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions at approximately 120°C for about 10 to 15 minutes. If mixing is performed after heat sterilization, it is performed in a sterilized container. The aforementioned powdered cellulose is used without heat sterilization, as it solidifies when heated.

[0051] On the other hand, when the basidiomycete is Pleurotus eryngii, the materials constituting the substrate can be mixed, for example, as follows.

[0052] A nutrient-poor substrate mixture consisting of about 1 / 3 used mushroom bed, about 1 / 3 sawdust, and about 1 / 3 dried discarded cut flowers is mixed with a nutrient-rich substrate mixture consisting of about 1 / 4 wheat bran, about 1 / 4 rice bran, about 1 / 4 dried soybean lees, and about 1 / 4 powdered cellulose in a mass ratio of about 9:1 to 5:5. It goes without saying that the types of materials used for the substrate and their mixing ratios are not limited to these.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 1, a basidiomycete seed culture is prepared (step S2). That is, any type of basidiomycete can be used as long as it is a mushroom that can be adapted for bed cultivation, such as king oyster mushroom, shiitake mushroom, or the like, but edible fungi that do not emit or emit almost no odor before and after drying, such as king oyster mushroom or shiitake mushroom, are preferred. This is because basidiomycetes that emit little or no odor before and after drying are unlikely to cause discomfort to users of the molded product, and edible basidiomycetes are guaranteed to be safe even if users come into contact with the molded product.

[0054] An appropriate amount of the heat-sterilized substrate is dispensed into a sterilized container, and sterilized water is added to it so that the watering rate is between about 20% and about 40%. The original seed is then inoculated, and after mixing them thoroughly, the mixture is cultured in a dark place at a temperature of about 15°C and a humidity of about 60% for 3 to 4 days to obtain an inoculum with well-grown mycelium.

[0055] Here, the starting material may be spores of a basidiomycete fungus, but it is preferable to use fungal cells remaining in a used fungal bed used in mushroom cultivation because the cultivation speed is fast. In the latter case, if fungal cells collected from the center of the used fungal bed are used as the starting material, contamination by various bacteria can be avoided as much as possible.

[0056] Once the seed fungus is obtained in this way, a fungal bed is prepared as follows (step S3), as shown in FIG.

[0057] That is, the seed culture obtained in step S2 is thoroughly loosened in a sterile environment, sterilized water is added to the substrate prepared in step S1 so that the watering rate is between about 20% and about 40%, and the seed culture is inoculated at a mass ratio of about 1 / 20, and after thoroughly mixing them, the mixture is cultured in a dark place at a temperature of about 15°C to about 24°C and a humidity of about 60% to about 80% for 3 to 5 days to obtain a fungal bed (step S3).

[0058] On the other hand, a mold having the required shape is prepared in advance, and the inside of this mold is sterilized. In order to demold the molded body formed in the mold as described below, the mold used in the present invention is one that can be separated into a female mold and a male mold that fits into the female mold.

[0059] Then, the fungal bed obtained as described above is filled into the female mold (step S4), and then the male mold is fitted in place. Further, the female mold and the male mold are subjected to a pressure of 4.0 N / m 2 More than 5.5N / m 2 Less than or equal to 4.9±0.5N / m 2 A pressure of 1000 kJ / cm is applied (step S5) to mold the packed bacterial bed into a desired shape.

[0060] The pressure applied to the mold is 4.0N / m 2 If the pressure applied to the mold is less than 5.5 N / m, the force to harden the culture bed into the required shape is weak, making it difficult to maintain the three-dimensional structure of the molded product. 2 If the temperature exceeds this limit, the fungal bed will be overly compacted, preventing sufficient intake of outside air into the fungal bed and inhibiting the growth of basidiomycetes.

[0061] After the molded fungal bed is formed in this manner, the basidiomycetes are cultured in the fungal bed to grow. In the method according to the present invention, the culture step is carried out in three stages.

[0062] That is, in the first stage, the fungal bed placed in the mold as described above is kept in the mold in a dark place at a temperature of about 18°C ​​to 22°C and a humidity of about 50% to 80% for about 3 to 5 days, and is cultured until the surface of the fungal bed located in the gap between the female mold and the male mold is covered with mycelia (step S6).

[0063] When the surface of the fungal bed is covered with mycelia, the process moves to the second stage, where the male mold fitted into the female mold is removed from the female mold, and the culture is continued in this state under the same environment as before until the surface of the fungal bed where the male mold had been is covered with mycelia (step S7). This allows the mycelia to be sufficiently spread inside and outside the fungal bed, and the mycelia and the substrate can be integrated.

[0064] Once the mycelium has been sufficiently spread inside and outside the fungal bed, the fungal bed is removed from the female mold, and the molded fungal bed is maintained under the same conditions as before for about 3 to 4 days to carry out the third stage of cultivation (Step S8). This yields a cultured molded fungal bed with fruiting bodies formed on the entire surface of the molded fungal bed to a thickness of about 2 mm.

[0065] Since these fruiting bodies are water-resistant, a molded culture bed with fruiting bodies formed on its entire surface is water-resistant as a whole. Meanwhile, in molded fungal beds molded with male and female molds, the growth of the inoculated seed fungus is inhibited by the pressure applied during molding, which may allow contamination with unwanted bacteria from the outside air. However, as described above, after the first stage of culture in which mycelia in the fungal bed are grown in the sterilized male and female molds is performed, the second stage of culture in which the male mold is removed is performed, and then the third stage of culture in which the mold is removed is performed. This gradually increases the area of ​​the molded fungal bed exposed to the outside air according to the growth of the seed fungus in the fungal bed, thereby reliably preventing contamination with unwanted bacteria from the outside air.

[0066] Next, the molded culture bed with fruiting bodies formed on the entire surface is dried to obtain a molded body (step S9). This increases the storage stability of the molded body and kills the grown basidiomycetes, preventing recovery of growth. This drying treatment is carried out as follows.

[0067] That is, the molded culture bed is placed in an environment with a temperature of about 50 to 65°C and a humidity of about 20 to 40%, and the density is 0.3±0.05 g / cm 3 Dry until smooth.

[0068] If the drying temperature is higher than about 65°C, the fruiting bodies formed on the surface will discolor. On the other hand, if the drying temperature is lower than about 50°C, the drying process will take a long time, increasing running costs. Also, if the drying humidity is lower than about 20%, the running costs required for drying will increase, and if the drying humidity is higher than about 40%, the drying process will take a long time.

[0069] On the other hand, the density of the molded body obtained after drying is 0.25 g / cm 3 If the density is less than 0.35 g / cm, the drying time will be long and the running cost will increase. 3 If the temperature exceeds this range, the growth of the basidiomycetes may recover.

[0070] Here, the density of the molded body is determined as follows. That is, the mass of the molded body is measured using a weighing scale, and the molded body is fixed to the inner bottom of an appropriate measuring container for measuring volume, such as a measuring cup or a graduated cylinder.The volume of the molded body is then measured by pouring a certain amount of water into the measuring container, and the density of the molded body is determined by dividing the measured mass of the molded body by the volume of the molded body.

[0071] The molded body thus obtained can be used as a finished product as is, but may also be subjected to a finishing process depending on its intended use (step S10).

[0072] For example, when used as a flowerpot, a molded body is obtained by molding into the shape of a flowerpot using a male and female mold, and a sodium alginate solution is applied to the surface of the fruiting bodies formed all over the surface, followed by spraying with a calcium lactate solution to form a waterproof layer. Although the fruiting bodies formed all over the flowerpot-shaped molded body are water-resistant as described above, the fungal bed is water-permeable because it is made of a powdery or granular material, and there are also fine gaps within the fruiting bodies formed all over the molded body, so the molded body cannot retain water sprinkled inside after being dried.

[0073] However, the membrane-like layer of calcium alginate formed by the reaction of sodium alginate and calcium lactate is waterproof, and by forming such a waterproof layer on the surface of the molded body, the pores in the fungal bed and the gaps in the fruiting body are sealed, resulting in a waterproof molded body that can function as a flowerpot.

[0074] Furthermore, since the waterproof layer made of calcium alginate is biodegradable, it does not increase the environmental load. It goes without saying that the waterproof layer is not limited to calcium alginate as long as it has a biodegradable composition.

[0075] Furthermore, when the molded body is used as an accessory or ornament, for example, it is possible to apply a pattern or color to the surface, or to attach a string or chain as needed, without forming the waterproof layer. As mentioned above, since the molded body does not contain a binder, even if a waterproof layer is not formed on the surface, the risk of rashes or other problems occurring to the user can be minimized. On the other hand, for users who are allergic to basidiomycetes, a waterproof layer may be formed before or after applying a pattern or color. Furthermore, if a waterproof layer is formed after applying a pattern or color, it is preferable to make the waterproof layer out of a highly transparent material, as this will not interfere with the applied pattern or color.

[0076] Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a molded body according to the present invention, in which the molded body is applied to a flowerpot. Note that Fig. 2 shows the thickness direction with emphasis.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2, the flowerpot-shaped molded body 1 is configured with a molded fungal bed 2 in the shape of an inverted truncated cone shell with no top, and the molded fungal bed 2 comprises a molded fungal bed 3 of the same shape and a fruiting body 4 formed on the entire surface of the molded fungal bed 3. A biodegradable waterproof layer 5, such as calcium alginate, is formed on the surface of the fruiting body 4.

[0078] In such a molded body 1, the molded fungal bed portion 3, the fruiting body portion 4, and the waterproof layer 5 are all biodegradable, and because the waterproof layer 5 is formed on the surface, water sprinkled inside the molded body 1 can be retained inside without leaking out. Furthermore, because no binder is mixed into the molded fungal bed portion 3 of the molded body 1, the risk of a rash occurring in a user who comes into contact with it can be reduced as much as possible. Furthermore, because the waterproof layer 5 is formed on the surface of this molded body 1, even if a user is allergic to basidiomycetes, the allergic reaction is unlikely to occur. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Molded body 2. Molded culture bed 3 Molded mushroom bed 4 Fruiting body 5 Waterproof layer

Claims

1. A step of mixing an appropriate substrate with a basidiomycete inoculum to obtain a fungal bed; a molding step of filling the obtained bacterial bed into a mold of a required shape; A step of applying pressure to the mold filled with the fungal bed to obtain a molded fungal bed; A cultivation step of culturing the seed fungus in the obtained molded fungal bed to form a fruiting body and obtain a cultured molded fungal bed; A drying process in which the obtained molded culture bed is dried to obtain a molded body; In carrying out the above in this order, As the mold, a female mold of an appropriate shape and a male mold to be fitted into the female mold are used, The culturing step comprises: a first-stage culture step in which a seed culture is cultured in a state in which a fungal bed is filled in the pair of male and female molds; a second-stage culture step in which the culture is continued after removing the male mold from the female mold; The third stage of the cultivation process is to further cultivate the cultured molded fungus bed removed from the female mold. A method for producing a molded body, characterized by carrying out the steps of:

2. 2. The method for producing a molded body according to claim 1, wherein the seed culture in the culture bed is cultured before the molding step is carried out.

3. 2. The method for producing a molded body according to claim 1, further comprising the step of subjecting the surface of said molded body to a finishing treatment.

4. The pressure applied to the mold is 4.0 N / m ２ 5.5N / m or more ２ 2. A method for producing a molded article according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

5. The method for producing a molded body according to claim 4, wherein the particle size of the base material is adjusted to be 0.04 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

6. In the drying process, the density is 0.3±0.05 g / cm ３ 2. The method for producing a molded product according to claim 1, wherein the molded product is obtained by drying the molded culture bed until the molded product becomes 100%.

7. A method for manufacturing a molded body as described in claim 3, wherein a biodegradable waterproof layer is formed when applying a finishing treatment to the surface of the molded body.

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