Prodn. of non-composted substrate for edible fungi - comprises treatment of organic material, e.g. cereal seeds, with aq. base and neutralisation with carbon di:oxide

摘要

Prodn. of a synthetic, non-composted substrate (A) for fungi comprises treating an organic material with a basic, aq. soln. and subsequently neutralising with carbon dioxide. The treatment with the soln. serves to swell, disinfect and chemically modify the organic material and the neutralisation produces a protective layer of carbonate, e.g. calcium carbonate, on the particles of the substrate which inhibits spore germination and bacterial growth,. Material pref. contains protein and starch and is esp. seeds, e.g. of cereals or legumes, or pelleted milling byprods., opt. straw or wood. The organic material is pref. treated at up to 100 deg. C with a base soln. which contains calcium hydroxide. An improved disinfecting effect can be achieved by carrying out the treatment in the presence of an oxidising agent, esp. potassium permanganate, and/or a biocidal gas, esp. propylene oxide. After removing excess base soln., the material can be pasteurised at 70-100 deg. C and treated with substances which regulate pH, mineral content and water-retaining capacity, before finally being neutralised. The latter is achieved using carbon dioxide present in the air or produced after the admixture of spawn of vigorously growing fungi, e.g. Pleurotus spp.. USE/ADVANTAGE - (A) is used esp. for cultivation of edible fungi and for the prodn. of their spores. (A) is obtd. by simple and quick method and in use gives higher yields in shorter cultivation periods than conventional procedures. Further, (A) does not require autoclave sterilisation (unlike the substrate described in DE2151326), is suitable for use with a wide variety of fungi which can be cultivated simultaneously and is not attacked by air-borne spores and bacteria.