Hierarchical mycelial-polylysine composite for sustainable food barrier materials
A sustainable, CO2-negative food barrier material combining mycelial bulk with antimicrobial polylysine in a hierarchical structure. Offers tunable strength, shape, and color while preserving food nutritional value through breathable, water-impermeable, and antibacterial properties.
Overview
This solution introduces a hierarchical structured mycelial-polylysine composite designed as a sustainable, CO2-negative food barrier material. By combining the antimicrobial properties of polylysines with mycelial-based bulk materials, the composite delivers breathable and water-impermeable barrier performance aimed at preserving and retaining the nutritional value of food. The material is safe, robust, and easily tunable, allowing customization of strength, color, and shape to meet diverse packaging requirements. It offers a renewable alternative to conventional petroleum-based food packaging while actively contributing to carbon reduction.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Hierarchical architectural organization of the mycelial-polylysine composite optimizes antibacterial activity and water impermeability
- Ellipsometry measurements confirm a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of approximately 60 degrees
- Crystallinity directly correlates with polylysine content, with optimal rigidity achieved at 20-30 percent polylysine loading
- Laminated structure provides effective liquid barriers and prevents bacterial growth
- UV exposure testing demonstrates maintained water permeability resistance after 90 days of continuous UV-C exposure at 354 nm
- Tunable properties including strength, color, and shape to accommodate various food packaging applications
Technology readiness level
The technology has progressed beyond initial proof-of-concept, with demonstrated analytical validation including wettability, crystallinity, and UV durability measurements. Planned future validation includes microfluidic testing to demonstrate prevention of S. aureus migration across membranes, optimization of polylysine structuring for enhanced antibacterial activity, microstructure characterization under varying pressures and environments, and degradation rate assessment under dry, wet, and humid conditions. The composite is positioned for continued development toward commercial food packaging applications.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a comprehensive public research university with a multi-campus presence across the Phoenix metropolitan area and a scale that supports interdisciplinary, use-inspired discovery. Industry partners access co-located laboratories, a research and technology park, and innovation centers that house corporate teams with faculty to speed prototyping and validation. A formal alliance with a major hospital system and proximity to a fast-growing manufacturing corridor enable clinical translation and pilot-scale testbeds, while applied student engagements create dependable talent pipelines. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, and NASA. A dedicated technology transfer office supports IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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