Nature provides spark for new glue

MUSSELS and tofu provided a scientist with the inspiration for producing an adhesive that could revolutionise the wood products industry.

Kaichang Li, an Oregon State University assistant professor, wondered how mussels were able to stay attached to rocks despite a battering from ocean waves.

He discovered a protein produced by the mussel was the source for the incredible adhesive qualities the animal possessed.

And when he looked at a method of recreating the protein the answer came to him during lunch – when he was eating tofu.

"Soy beans, from which tofu are made, are a crop that's abundantly produced in the US and has a very high content of protein," Li said.

“Soy protein is inexpensive and renewable, but it lacks the unique amino acid that provides adhesive properties.”

Li's research group was able to add these amino acids to soy protein, and make it work like a mussel-protein adhesive.

Then they began to develop other strong and water-resistant wood adhesives from renewable natural materials using mussel protein as a model.

The first commercial application of the adhesive will be to make decorative hardwood plywood for high-quality interior uses. But the adhesive can also be used in making softwood plywood, particleboard and medium density fibreboard.