Development And Evaluation Of Sustainable Mycelium-Based Packaging Material Using Agro-Fruit-Vegetable Waste And Mould Selection

Abstract

Innovation in sustainable alternatives has been spurred by the escalating environmental crisis brought on by non-biodegradable plastic packaging. Using fungal mycelium cultivated on home fruit and vegetable waste (such as banana, potato, and mixed peels) and agricultural leftovers (such as wheat and rice straw), this study investigates the creation of biodegradable packaging materials. Thermally pasteurized substrate combinations were inoculated with a pure colony of fungi, molded, and then incubated under carefully monitored circumstances.
Mycelial colonization, texture, binding strength, and the effect of various mold materials (silicone, HDPE, wood, resin, POP, jute, etc.) on demoulding ease were all evaluated in the study.

The findings showed that substrates that combined fibrous and starchy waste (such as potato peel and mixed fruit) resulted in dense, homogeneous mycelial development with excellent structural integrity. Because silicone and HDPE molds are flexible and non-stick, they allowed for excellent demolding. This study shows how kitchen and agricultural waste can be turned into useful, biodegradable packaging materials. The results back up the use of myco-packaging as a scalable, affordable, and environmentally beneficial substitute for traditional plastics, providing a workable answer for waste management and the circular bioeconomy.