Harnessing the therapeutic myco-potential for concrete-crack healing: Prospects and snags

Abstract

There has been a continual upsurge on research pertaining to bio-based/ microbial healing of cracks in concrete (a pre-requisite component when it comes to construction design). Albeit, the application of bacteria in this realm has been documented widely over the years, howbeit, delving into fungus based self-healing under the deleterious ambience of concrete with oxygen and nutrient limitation, moisture deficit and high alkalinity has captured recent research impetus. In this context, we have tried to mine the current contextual information to gauge whether research on fungal-based self-healing concrete could be worthwhile. Recent systematic screening encompassing the application of genetically engineered strains, attests the profound untapped potential of specific fungal species in assisting sustainable self-healing to ensure resilient infrastructure. Known for their adaptability under a plethora of environmental stress-conditions and architecturally endowed with large surface-active biomass, fungi can display both biomineralization and organomineralization, leading to rapid and profuse precipitation of CaCO3 (a befitting concrete-filler) for prospective sealing of cracks, even of large width, plausibly without any negative trade-off with respect to concrete’s strength. This article is thus compiled to mirror the various prospects, practical hitches and future direction of research in using fungi for concrete crack healing.