MYCOCIRCLE
Project
Concept
Concept
This project is at the vanguard of bio-innovation, turning fungal by-products into ethical substitutes for animal-derived materials. With an emphasis on sustainability, it utilizes cutting-edge fermentation technology to pave the way for eco-friendly industry practices, showcasing how science can lead to a more responsible tomorrow.
The Challenge
Ethical and Environmental Concerns in Material Sourcing
In the cosmetics and agrochemical industries, the pervasive use of animal-derived materials is a growing concern. These materials, essential for various product functionalities, are linked to ethical and environmental issues, including animal welfare and the sustainability of production practices. With the rising demand for chitin and chitosan, terpenoids, and non-food grade proteins/fats, the need for alternative sources is urgent. Overharvesting and environmentally damaging extraction methods underscore the necessity for change.
The Solution
Fungal Biomass as a Sustainable Alternative
MYCOCIRCLE confronts this unsustainable reliance by harnessing waste mushroom biomass—a rich source of chitin—and recent advancements in fermentation technology to create sustainable biomaterials. This project not only offers a greener alternative to animal-derived products but also addresses the scalability challenges faced by the industry. By transforming waste into high-value materials, MYCOCIRCLE aims to revolutionize cosmetics and agrochemical applications, fostering a circular economy and mitigating the environmental impact of production processes.
The Opportunity
Valorizing Mycelium Waste to Drive Innovation
The vast quantities of mycelium waste produced by the mushroom industry pose a unique opportunity. Currently considered unsuitable for food or feed due to lignocellulosic contamination, this waste is a largely untapped resource. The project's innovative approach aims to process such biomass efficiently, overcoming technical obstacles to extract chitin and convert residues into proteins, oils, and high-value compounds like terpenoids.
MYCOCIRCLE
Challenges
1
Sustainability of Animal-Derived Materials
The project addresses the urgent need to find sustainable alternatives to chitin/chitosan, terpenoids, and non-food grade animal proteins/fats due to the ethical and environmental concerns associated with their production.
2
Scalability and Feedstock Availability
Scalability is a major issue for the production of chitin, chitosan, and terpenoids, largely due to the limited availability of clean fungal biomass and competition with animal feed production.
3
Technological Bottlenecks
There are significant technological challenges, including efficient extraction and fractionation processes, which currently hinder the productivity and economic viability of fungal biomass valorization.
4
Low-Value Product Limitation
Existing fungal fermentation routes are largely confined to producing low-value triglycerides, making it difficult to compete with low-cost plant oils.
5
Contamination of Waste Biomass
The mycelium waste from mushroom production is contaminated with lignocellulosic growth substrates, making it unsuitable for food/feed chains and problematic for current valorization technologies due to the resistance of lignin to most commercial enzymes.
MYCOCIRCLE
Approach
MYCOCIRCLE tackles sustainability by developing innovative biotechnologies to transform mycelium waste into valuable biomaterials, such as chitosan and terpenoids, positioning fungi as viable substitutes for animal-derived products. The approach includes pioneering an enzymatic fractionation process and establishing efficient fermentation pathways, aiming to revolutionize the cosmetics and agrochemical industries with greener alternatives.