每日英語跟讀 Ep.K565: Mushroom:The Sustainable Solution for Construction and Fashion Industries
Mushrooms are gaining popularity not only as a food source and a potential treatment for depression, but also for their mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Companies like Biohm in London and MycoWorks in San Francisco are utilizing mycelium to create sustainable alternatives in the construction and fashion industries.
蘑菇不僅作為食物來源和可能的抗抑鬱治療方法而變得越來越受歡迎，它們的菌絲體（蘑菇的基本結構）也隨之受到關注。倫敦的Biohm和舊金山的MycoWorks等公司正利用菌絲體在建築和時尚產業中創造可永續發展的替代材料。
Biohm grows mycelium on a large scale using food waste and sawdust to create insulation panels as a natural solution to the environmental challenges posed by the construction industry. The harvested mycelium is dried and compressed into panels that are safe, compostable, and pH neutral, with the ability to fertilize soil. Biohm is currently in negotiations with major multinationals to take their mycelium thermal insulation to global markets.
Biohm通過使用食物廢料和木屑大規模種植菌絲體，以創造絕緣板，作為建築行業環境挑戰的天然解決方案。經過收穫的菌絲體被乾燥並壓縮成安全、可堆肥且pH中性的板材，具有可轉化為肥料土的能力。Biohm目前正在與跨國公司進行談判，以將他們的菌絲體隔熱材料引入全球市場。
MycoWorks, on the other hand, uses mycelium to produce a leather substitute called "Reishi." This innovative material is used to create a wide range of fashion products, including hats, wallets, handbags, and bowls. MycoWorks has collaborated with luxury brands like Hermes and General Motors to explore the use of mycelium in high-end fashion and car interiors. Although the cost of Reishi is currently comparable to luxury leather, MycoWorks aims to scale up production and reduce costs with a new facility opening later this year.
另一方面，MycoWorks使用菌絲體製造一種名為“靈芝”(Reishi)的仿皮革替代品。這種創新材料被用於製造各種時尚產品，包括帽子、錢包、手提包和碗。MycoWorks與愛馬仕和通用汽車等奢侈品牌合作，探索在高端時尚和汽車內飾中使用菌絲體的應用。雖然靈芝目前的成本與奢侈皮革相當，但MycoWorks計劃通過將在今年稍晚開設的新設施擴大生產並降低成本。
Theuse of mycelium in various industries is gaining momentum due to its sustainable properties. Mycelium-based materials are typically made from agricultural or forestry by-products, or food waste that would have otherwise been incinerated or sent to landfill. Moreover, the growth of mycelium is a natural process that requires minimal energy and machinery. However, challenges such as water repellency and durability still need to be addressed.
菌絲體在各種產業中的應用由於其永續發展的特性而日益增長。基於菌絲體的材料通常是農業或林業副產品，或者本來可能被焚化或填埋的食物廢料製成。此外，菌絲體的生長是一個僅需極少能源和機械的自然過程。然而，如防水性和耐久性等問題仍然有待解決。
Inaddition to construction and fashion, mycelium is also being explored as a high-protein alternative to meat and a replacement for wheat flour in food start-ups. As awareness and interest in mycelium increase, more companies and start-ups are tapping into this sustainable solution for a variety of
industries, making mushrooms and their mycelium an eco-friendly option for the future.
除了在建築和時尚領域之外，菌絲體還被食品類新創公司視為肉類的高蛋白替代品和麵粉的替代品。隨著對菌絲體的認識和興趣不斷增加，越來越多的公司和初創企業正在利用這種永續材料解決方案來應對各種行業的需求，使蘑菇和其菌絲體成為未來的環保選擇。
Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64810935
編按：「將蘑菇的根部結構」改為「蘑菇的基本結構」，因為真菌類不算有根。感謝Likefish的建議。