🪩 Hy-five: 2025 Mycelium Report, Curvularia vs Climate Change, Upcyling Spent Mushroom Substrate, Fungi & Biochar, and more...
Sporadic round-up of mycological research and industry news.
Hello dear fungi enthusiast,
There’s a new report in stock - Fungal Futures: Why Today’s Designers Are Obsessed with Mycelium? 🧫
Mycelium is no stranger to innovation, but its latest applications are redefining possibilities across industries. From self-healing concrete to bio-based electronics and medical breakthroughs, in this report led by sustainable materials platform Tocco, in partnership with MycoStories, we unpack fungi's cutting-edge uses, emerging challenges, and transformative potential in reshaping our material world.
👉🏽 Access here, and share with anyone who might be interested!
#1 Fighting Climate Change with Fungi: How Curvularia Offers a Natural Solution to Methane Emissions 🐮
Methane emissions from ruminant livestock are a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 14% of anthropogenic emissions. Additionally, methane has a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. As the global demand for meat and dairy continues to rise, innovative and scalable solutions are urgently needed.
A breakthrough study supported by LoamBio in Australia, reveals that the soil fungus Curvularia could provide a sustainable pathway to dramatically reduce enteric methane emissions by producing bromoform, a compound known to inhibit methane production in the rumen.
2# Spent Mushroom Substrate: From Waste to Wealth 🪄
The global mushroom industry generates a staggering amount of residual biomass, known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS), following the harvest of edible mushrooms. For every kilogram of mushrooms produced, approximately 5 kilograms of SMS are left behind. In China alone, the world’s largest producer of mushrooms, this translates to over 6 million tonnes of SMS annually. Historically, disposal methods like incineration or random stacking have been employed, but these approaches waste valuable resources and exacerbate environmental challenges.
SMS, composed predominantly of lignocellulosic biomass (40-60% organic matter), exhibits remarkable potential for reuse. Its composition includes cellulose (20-30%), hemicellulose (20-30%), and lignin (10-20%), enriched with residual nutrients and bioactive compounds. The recent study Spent mushroom substrate: A review on present and future of green applications positions SMS as a prime candidate for a circular economy approach, spanning agriculture, bioenergy, bioproducts, and bioremediation applications.
4# Unlocking the Antimicrobial Potential of Mushrooms: A Natural Defence Against Pathogens 💊
Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global issue, with pathogenic bacteria and fungi evolving resistance to existing treatments at an alarming rate. According to the World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if left unchecked. The overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture has accelerated the emergence of resistant strains, such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Natural sources like fungi produce secondary metabolites like polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolics, and peptides, many of which exhibit potent antimicrobial activity, providing a promising alternative to combat these resilient pathogens. Recent research coming from India evaluated the antimicrobial properties of twelve wild mushroom species, including Schizophyllum commune, Microporus xanthopus, and Pleurotus sajor-caju. Using extracts prepared from these mushrooms, the study tested their effectiveness against bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as fungal pathogens like Fusarium oxysporum and Candida albicans.
4# How Fungi and Biochar Could Revolutionise Soil Remediation 🌱
Heavy metal contamination is a pervasive global issue, threatening ecosystems, human health, and agricultural sustainability. Soil polluted by toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) often coexists with organic pollutants like pesticides and antibiotics, further complicating remediation efforts. A recent study, led by Ying Xia, from Zhejiang University highlights an innovative solution: a Trichoderma reesei-Laccase-Biochar coupling system (TLBS) that leverages genetically engineered fungi, laccase enzymes, and biochar for efficient, eco-friendly soil detoxification.
The TLBS system relies solely on biodegradable, cost-effective materials, making it ideal for large-scale agricultural applications. By repurposing agricultural residues as biochar and employing environmentally friendly fungi, this method supports sustainable farming practices. Moreover, its in situ application minimises disruption to soil ecosystems and reduces reliance on chemical inputs.
5# Marks & Spencer Taps Into Wellness Trends with Mushroom Drinks and Brain Food 🍹
M&S’s Yay! Mushrooms range taps into the growing popularity of functional mushrooms, known for their health-enhancing properties. Featuring nine beverages, the range includes innovative offerings like the Vanilla Latte with Lion’s Mane and the AM and PM Shot Duo. The AM shot pairs lion’s mane mushroom with ginger, lime, and matcha, while the PM shot blends cherry, coconut, chamomile, and reishi mushroom.
Lion’s mane, often dubbed the ‘smart mushroom,’ is celebrated for its cognitive-enhancing abilities and potential to reduce brain fog, while Reishi mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting properties. To ensure the highest quality and efficacy, M&S partnered with the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, to source premium mushroom powders for the range.
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