Mycelial Leather Replacement Compositions with Improved Affinity to Anionic Aqueous Chemistry

Abstract

A method for improving mycelial leather replacement compositions includes providing a mycelium material substrate, deacetylating chitin to chitosan enzymatically in a deacetylating unit, treating the deacetylated mycelial material substrate with cationic chlorohydrin in a cationization unit, combining deacetylation and cationization processes to improve the interaction with anionic aqueous treatment using an affinity enhancement mechanism, implementing a homogeneity control unit for ensuring uniform distribution of aqueous anionic treatment, creating bonding between the cationized mycelial material substrate and cellulosic fibers resulting in a positively charged fiber that maintain its charge in aqueous solution and optimizing dyeing processes for dye uptake and color fastness in mycelial leather replacement composition. Thus, the chemical penetration and homogeneous distribution of reactive sites with substantive fillers create a leather-like material in terms of texture, appearance, and performance characteristics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition of matter comprising:
 a. a mycelium material substrate;   b. chitosan derived from chitin within the mycelium material substrate through a deacetylation process using concentrated NaOH;   c. a cationized mycelium material substrate formed by treating the deacetylated mycelium material with cationic chlorohydrin; and   d. cellulosic fibers bonded to the cationized mycelium material substrate, wherein the bonded cellulosic fibers maintain a positively charged state in an aqueous solution.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein the deacetylation process is facilitated by an enzymatic treatment using enzymes selected from the group consisting of lysozyme, snailase, and neutral protease. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein the cationic chlorohydrin is applied in a concentration sufficient to induce a level of cationization that results in a positive charge on the mycelium material substrate, facilitating the formation of strong bonds with cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein the cationic chlorohydrin is applied with one or multiple epoxide functional groups, enhancing the substrate's reactivity and the overall strength of the resulting mycelial leather replacement composition. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein the bonded cellulosic fibers exhibit increased affinity for negatively charged or electron-rich molecules, improving the mycelium material substrate's compatibility with a range of dyes and finishing treatments. 
     
     
         6 . A composition of matter for creating mycelial leather alternatives, comprising:
 a. a mycelium-based substrate wherein chitin is enzymatically or chemically transformed into chitosan, imparting increased softness and reactivity;   b. a cationized form of the mycelium-based substrate, achieved through the application of cationic chlorohydrin, which renders the substrate positively charged and enhances its reactivity with anionic treatments; and   c. a system for uniformly applying an anionic aqueous treatment to the cationized substrate, thereby ensuring consistent coloration, softness, and chemical homogeneity across the mycelial leather replacement composition.   
     
     
         7 . The composition of matter according to  claim 6 , wherein the dyeing unit is specifically adapted to control the temperature and pH levels during the dyeing process, ensuring optimal dye uptake, color fastness, and consistent coloration across the mycelial leather replacement composition. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of matter according to  claim 6 , wherein the cationization and deacetylation processes are optimized to ensure the mycelial leather replacement composition is free from cracking, maintains a uniform color, and exhibits improved physical and chemical stability over time. 
     
     
         9 . A system for enhancing mycelial leather replacement compositions, comprising:
 a mycelium material substrate;   a deacetylation unit configured to enzymatically or chemically convert chitin to chitosan through deacetylation within the mycelium material substrate;   a cationization unit configured to cationize the mycelium material substrate by applying cationic chlorohydrin;   an affinity enhancement mechanism combining the deacetylation and cationization processes to enhance the affinity of the mycelial material interaction by means of anionic aqueous treatment;   a homogeneity control unit for ensuring uniform distribution of aqueous anionic treatment within the mycelial leather replacement compositions;   a bonding unit for creating bonds between the cationized mycelial material substrate and cellulosic fibers resulting in a positively charged fiber that maintains its charge in aqueous solution across a wide range of pH values; and   a dyeing unit for improving dyeing efficiency in mycelial leather replacement composition.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the cationic chlorohydrin used in the cationization process has a single epoxide functional group or multiple epoxide functional groups upon activation. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the deacetylation unit utilizes a concentration of NaOH for the conversion of chitin to chitosan. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the deacetylation and treatment with cationic chlorohydrin increases the longevity of physical and aesthetic performance over time including softness, flexibility, strength, fastness of color, durability, uniformity of color and with increased homogeneity and reactivity compared to the substrate purely treated with plasticization. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the conversion of chitin to chitosan uses genetically engineered enzymes including fusion enzymes and post-translationally modified enzymes. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the treatment of mycelium material substrate with cationic chlorohydrin leads to the creation of cross-linking and stability in the matrix potentially through the formation of covalent bonds. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the cationization treatment enables a consistent reaction environment for subsequent reaction with anionic dyestuffs and oil emulsions.