| Abstract Scope |
Unlike synthetic hydrogels, jelly fungi are natural hydrogels that maintain their structure and mechanical properties over repeated hydration-dehydration cycles. In this study, we studied the reversible hydration behavior of multiple species of jelly fungi. Three jelly fungi species were subjected to 10 hydration–dehydration cycles, and compression tests were performed after 0, 5, and 10 cycles. Water absorption, peak stress, and elastic modulus exhibited minimal changes after cycling within the same specimens, indicating strong retention of hydrogel-like behavior and mechanical stability. FTIR and EDS analyses showed no major differences in chemical composition among the species, suggesting that the observed performance differences were primarily structural rather than chemical. SEM and optical microscopy revealed differences in hyphal filament organization, porosity, and hyphal ratios between species. These structural features likely contribute to the ability of jelly fungi to preserve water absorption capacity, internal architecture, and mechanical properties during repeated hydration–dehydration cycling. |