Back Article

Figure 1. 

(a) Growth of P. pulmonarius on PDA, PDA + WH, 50:50 composite, and 80:20 composite substrates. (b) Measurement of colony diameter across different media over a 5 d period, with the shaded area representing the standard deviation of mycelial growth. (c) Photographic documentation of P. pulmonarius cultured on various media from day 0 to day 5.

Figure 2. 

(a) FTIR spectra comparing the 50:50 and 80:20 composites with pure sawdust and water hyacinth. (b) Micrographs of mycelial fibers within the 50:50 and 80:20 composites captured at 20× magnification. (c) SEM images of mycelial fibers in the 50:50 and 80:20 composites, displayed at 1.5 k (left) and 5 k (right) magnifications.

Figure 3. 

(a) Photographic representation of the 50:50 and 80:20 composites. (b) Measured density of both composite formulations. (c) BET surface area and BJH pore volume analysis. (d) Compressive modulus comparison of the 50:50 and 80:20 composites.

Figure 4. 

(a) Water contact angle measurements on the surfaces of 50:50 and 80:20 composites. (b) Relationship between water absorption, volume expansion, and composite density over different soaking durations. (c) Water absorption rate of the 50:50 and 80:20 composites recorded over a 24 h period. (d) Floating demonstration of the 50:50 and 80:20 composites after 24 h in water.

Figure 5. 

(a) Photographs of mycelium-based Krathongs (MBKs) made from 50:50 and 80:20 composites. (b) Cross-sectional illustration of a mycelium Krathong. (c) Sketch representation of the Krathong structure. (d), (e) Mycelium Krathongs used during the 2024 Loy Krathong Sai festival.

Figure 6. 

(a) Mass reduction of mycelium-based Krathongs (MBKs) over a 28 d degradation test. (b) Photographic documentation of MBK degradation at different time intervals. (c) Growth rate of morning glory (Ipomoea aquatica) seeds embedded in MBKs after being transferred to soil. (d) Images showing seed germination and plant development in MBKs over time.