Increased levels of plastic pollution have forced the packaging industry to look for alternatives, more environmentally friendly materials. The solution presented in the thesis is based on fungal biocomposites, which are the product of mycelium growing over agri- cultural residues. Mycelium is the vegetative body part of a fungus that penetrates the nutrient substrate by apically extending the hyphae. In the production of biocomposites, the mycelium acts as an adhesive, completely outgrowing the substrate, filling the empty spaces within the substrate and creating a solid matrix that allows the biocomposite to maintain its shape. To obtain a safe material, the biocomposite is heat-treated in order to inactivate fungal growth and convert the living mass into a biologically inactive end product. Unlike conventional packaging materials, biocomposite possesses hydrophobic properties, is fully degradable and resists high temperatures. Aesthetically and functionally, EPS is still the more sensible choice, but with advances in research into fungal biocomposites, the two are progressively improving. In the experimental work, 9 different types of fungal biocomposites were produced. They differed in the substrate and the fungal culture used. The time required for biocomposite formation, visual appearance, density, porosity, water contact angle, compressive strength and fire resistance were evaluated. We have found that biocomposites are comparable to references in all areas. The best sample was a strain of Ganoderma lucidum in combination with hemp stalks (Rsh P); the lowest relative density (177.45 kg/m3), the highest porosity (87.71 %), the second highest average water contact angle (113.5°) and the second highest average maximum force at 10% sample strain (59 N).
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