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

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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Main Authors: Miguel Aravena, Leonardo Almonacid-Muñoz, Carlos Rojas-Herrera, Héctor Herrera, Juan Pablo Cárdenas-Ramírez, Alejandro Veliz Reyes, Cristiane Sagredo-Saez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3908
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author Miguel Aravena
Leonardo Almonacid-Muñoz
Carlos Rojas-Herrera
Héctor Herrera
Juan Pablo Cárdenas-Ramírez
Alejandro Veliz Reyes
Cristiane Sagredo-Saez
author_facet Miguel Aravena
Leonardo Almonacid-Muñoz
Carlos Rojas-Herrera
Héctor Herrera
Juan Pablo Cárdenas-Ramírez
Alejandro Veliz Reyes
Cristiane Sagredo-Saez
author_sort Miguel Aravena
collection DOAJ
description 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 <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> 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/m<sup>3</sup>, 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.
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-4233cc2ba7e548ef8db32e2418aef6fb2025-08-20T02:00:39ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-12-011412390810.3390/buildings14123908Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>Miguel Aravena0Leonardo Almonacid-Muñoz1Carlos Rojas-Herrera2Héctor Herrera3Juan Pablo Cárdenas-Ramírez4Alejandro Veliz Reyes5Cristiane Sagredo-Saez6Programa de Magíster en Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4811230, ChileLaboratorio de Ecosistemas y Bosques (EcoBos), Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4811230, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería de Obras Civiles, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, ChileLaboratorio de Ecosistemas y Bosques (EcoBos), Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4811230, ChileFacultad de Arquitectura, Construcción y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Av. Alemania 1090, Temuco 4780000, ChileSchool of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth Institution, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UKLaboratorio de Ecosistemas y Bosques (EcoBos), Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4811230, ChileIn 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 <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> 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/m<sup>3</sup>, 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3908myceliummacrofungibiomaterialsthermal insulators
spellingShingle Miguel Aravena
Leonardo Almonacid-Muñoz
Carlos Rojas-Herrera
Héctor Herrera
Juan Pablo Cárdenas-Ramírez
Alejandro Veliz Reyes
Cristiane Sagredo-Saez
Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>
Buildings
mycelium
macrofungi
biomaterials
thermal insulators
title Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>
title_full Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>
title_fullStr Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>
title_short Evaluation of the Thermal Insulation Potential of Post-Harvest Blocks Using the Native Strain of the Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>
title_sort evaluation of the thermal insulation potential of post harvest blocks using the native strain of the edible mushroom i pleurotus ostreatus i
topic mycelium
macrofungi
biomaterials
thermal insulators
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3908
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