# Protocol for the preparation of flexible material from the mycelium of wood-decay fungal strains and mechanical property investigation

## TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed protocol for making flexible materials from fungal mycelium and testing their mechanical properties.

## Contribution

A new protocol for extracting and enhancing chitin-glucan-based materials from wood-decay fungi is presented.

## Key findings

- Acetic acid improves the mechanical properties of the extracted material.
- Glycerol increases the flexibility of the chitin-glucan-based material.
- The protocol includes methods to measure tear strength and elongation at break.

## Abstract

Extraction of chitin-glucan-based materials from fungi has several advantages over animal-based chitin. Here, we present a protocol for extracting chitin-glucan material from the mycelium of wood-decay fungal strains and investigating its mechanical properties. We describe steps for extracting chitin-glucan-based material, using acetic acid as a crosslinking agent to improve mechanical properties, and adding glycerol to increase flexibility. We then detail procedures for investigating tear strength and elongation at break, as well as establishing the required properties of flexible materials.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Vadivel et al.1

•A step-by-step guide to develop flexible bio-based materials•Improved mechanical properties by acetic acid and plasticizing with glycerol•Details to characterize Young’s modulus, tear strength, and elongation at break

A step-by-step guide to develop flexible bio-based materials

Improved mechanical properties by acetic acid and plasticizing with glycerol

Details to characterize Young’s modulus, tear strength, and elongation at break

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Extraction of chitin-glucan-based materials from fungi has several advantages over animal-based chitin. Here, we present a protocol for extracting chitin-glucan material from the mycelium of wood-decay fungal strains and investigating its mechanical properties. We describe steps for extracting chitin-glucan-based material, using acetic acid as a crosslinking agent to improve mechanical properties, and adding glycerol to increase flexibility. We then detail procedures for investigating tear strength and elongation at break, as well as establishing the required properties of flexible materials.