The split-gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) earns its common name from its distinctive gills that split when the mushroom dries out1. This resilient fungus can remain dormant for decades and revive with moisture1. With small caps measuring 1-4 cm wide and featuring white or grayish hairs, these mushrooms grow in shelf-like formations without stalks12.

S. commune is remarkably widespread, found on all continents except Antarctica2. It primarily grows as a saprobe on dead or decaying wood, playing a crucial role in ecosystem decomposition2. While generally not considered a culinary delicacy due to its tough, leathery texture2, recent research has recognized it as a nutritive and therapeutic "superfood" rich in schizophyllan (a bioactive polysaccharide) and protein34. The mushroom also demonstrates significant antimicrobial properties, with its dichloromethane extract showing particular effectiveness against bacteria like Streptococcus sanguis56. Additionally, it produces valuable antioxidant compounds even during mycelium growth7, making it a promising candidate for both nutritional and medicinal applications.

The living fiber dispersions (LFD) technology represents a paradigm shift in sustainable materials science by preserving the fungal mycelium's living nature rather than isolating and chemically processing its components. Empa researchers selectively bred a strain of split-gill mushroom that produces elevated levels of two crucial biomolecules: schizophyllan and hydrophobin.12 Schizophyllan, a nanofiber less than a nanometer thick but over a thousand times as long, provides exceptional tensile strength, while the soap-like hydrophobin protein acts as a natural emulsifier by collecting at interfaces between polar and apolar liquids.32

This innovative approach yields a material with remarkable versatility. When formed into thin films, the extracellular matrix with its long schizophyllan fibers creates exceptional tensile strength that can be further enhanced by aligning the fungal fibers in a single direction—similar to weaving fabric.34 As a living material, it continues producing its structural components over time, allowing it to maintain and even improve emulsion stability dynamically.2 Potential applications include biodegradable compost bags that naturally decompose along with their contents, moisture-sensitive sensors for smart packaging, and even thin biodegradable batteries—all while remaining completely edible and environmentally friendly.54

Schizophyllan is a neutral extracellular polysaccharide with a distinctive molecular structure that contributes to its remarkable properties. This β-1,3-glucan features β-1,6 branching1 and possesses a molecular weight of approximately 450,000 Da with a specific rotation in water of +18-24°1. Structurally similar to polysaccharides like scleroglucan (produced by Athelia rolfsii) and curdlan, schizophyllan's backbone architecture enables its unique functional capabilities1.

At the nanoscale, schizophyllan forms impressive nanofibers that can interact with other compounds to create novel materials. For instance, when combined with permethyldecasilane, schizophyllan produces decasilane-nanofibers where the decasilane molecules adopt helical conformations within tubular hollows created by schizophyllan's helical superstructure2. This structural versatility explains why schizophyllan can function effectively as an immune system stimulant, metal carrier in water solutions, drug delivery vehicle, and component in advanced nanofiber applications1. The processing method significantly impacts schizophyllan's efficacy, with smaller particles that resist re-aggregation during digestion showing the most potent effects on immune function1.