02292naa a2200301 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001902200140006002400560007410000250013024502050015526000090036052013050036965000190167465000260169365000130171965000100173265000100174265300140175265300230176670000190178970000150180870000220182370000220184570000240186770000210189177300780191221695642024-12-11       2024    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d  a0141-81307 ahttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.1352842DOI1 aLIMA, T. A. de M. de  aExtraction and characterization of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from Rhododendron ponticum isolated using cryocrush pre-treatment and its potential for mycelium cultivation.h[electronic resource]  c2024  aRhododendron ponticum (R. ponticum), a rapidly spreading invasive species in Ireland, was investigated for its potential use in creating sustainable bioproducts. This study explored the utilization of R. ponticum biomass as a source of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) for fungal cultivation. The production of MFC was evaluated employing a novel cryocrushing treatment combined with a twin-screw extruder (TSE). The results demonstrated a significant increase in film strength, up to 332.3 MPa, with increasing TSE steps compared to 72.5 MPa in untreated samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a decrease in crystallinity from 68.93 % to 59.2 %, following cryocrushing and TSE treatment. Additionally, MFC subjected to the highest TSE treatment (12 steps) was successfully used as a substrate for cultivating Agaricus blazei mushrooms using 0.2 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% MFC over a period of 7 days. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of chitin/chitin glucan within the fungal fibers. This research highlights the potential for transforming the invasive R. ponticum into valuable biocomposite materials. These MFC-fungus composites hold promise for various applications, including sustainable packaging, biodegradable plastics, and eco-friendly textiles.  aNatural fibers  aRhododendron ponticum  aCelulose  aFibra  aFungo  aCryocrush  aFungal cultivation1 aLIMA, G. G. de1 aROUXEL, P.1 aBEZERRA, G. S. N.1 aFEHRENBACH, G. W.1 aMAGALHAES, W. L. E.1 aNUGENT, M. J. D.  tInternational Journal of Biological Macromoleculesgv. 279, 135284, 2024.