Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus

In recent years, the need to adopt materials that are partially or fully recyclable or biodegradable has grown significantly. This paper presents a study aiming to develop a physical and thermal characterization of post-harvest blocks (spent mushroom substrate) used in the production of the edible m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Buildings (Basel) 2024-12, Vol.14 (12), p.3908
Main Authors: Aravena, Miguel, Almonacid-Muñoz, Leonardo, Rojas-Herrera, Carlos, Herrera, Héctor, Cárdenas-Ramírez, Juan Pablo, Veliz Reyes, Alejandro, Sagredo-Saez, Cristiane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Biodegradation
biomaterials
Biomedical materials
Circular economy
Construction
Density
Electric properties
Feasibility studies
Fire resistance
Fungi
Heat conductivity
Heat transfer
Insulation
Lignocellulose
macrofungi
Moisture content
Moisture resistance
Mold
Mushrooms
mycelium
Physical properties
Pleurotus ostreatus
Surface analysis (chemical)
Thermal conductivity
Thermal insulation
thermal insulators
Thermodynamic properties
Water content
Wheat
Wheat straw
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Summary:In recent years, the need to adopt materials that are partially or fully recyclable or biodegradable has grown significantly. This paper presents a study aiming to develop a physical and thermal characterization of post-harvest blocks (spent mushroom substrate) used in the production of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus in order to test its feasibility as an insulation material. For this purpose, culture blocks based on wheat straw residues were prepared using a wild strain of the fungus. After the mushroom harvest, the post-harvest blocks were evaluated for stability, thermal conductivity, moisture content, fire behavior, and surface analysis. The results showed that the post-harvest blocks had an average thermal conductivity of 0.032 W/mK, a density of 56.63 kg/m3, and a moisture content of 5.96%. They also exhibited high fire resistance. The culture blocks showed stable dimensional properties, reasonable productivity, low moisture, high density, and fire resistance. Therefore, results suggest that this material could be used as insulation in construction.
ISSN:2075-5309
2075-5309
DOI:10.3390/buildings14123908