Mushroom Spawn: Use this technique to make mushroom spawn, know more

Mushroom Spawn: The foundation of mushroom production is spawn. The spawn of button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and the majority of other mushrooms are prepared using specific scientific techniques. It must be prepared in a hygienic, infection-free setting using the right technique. A detailed explanation of how to make mushroom spawn is provided.

1. Ingredients Needed

To prepare spawn, the following supplies and tools are needed, including:

• Grains of wheat (or any other grain)
• Formalin with potassium permanganate (for cleaning)
• Pure cultivation of mushrooms
• Plastic bags or glass bottles
• For sterilization, use a pressure cooker or autoclave at home.
• Chamber of laminar air flow (for disinfection)
• Lamp of spirit
• Rubber bands and paper

2. Getting Ready in Advance

To get rid of all the dirt and light grains, soak the wheat grains in water after washing. Then soak them for 12 hours in clean water. Bring the soaked grains to a boil until they are tender but not crumbly. The purpose of this is to absorb moisture. After the grains have been cooked, spread them out on a fresh towel and pat dry to remove any remaining water. Use a solution of formalin and potassium permanganate to clean the workspace, tools, and utensils.

3. Grain sterilization

To keep the dry grains from adhering, add gypsum (0.5%) and lime powder (1-2%). Stuff these grains into polybags or glass bottles. Cover the bottles with a towel and secure the lid with a rubber band after filling them up to the second or third portion. Sterilize them for one to two hours at 15 psi pressure in an autoclave or pressure cooker.

4. The application of pure culture

Take the sterile grains to a laminar airflow chamber after letting them cool. Using sanitized tools, transfer the pure culture to these sterile grains. Keep the bottles in a clean atmosphere and close their mouths.

5. Incubation (spawn development)

Store the bottles somewhere with a temperature of 22–25°C and a humidity of 70–80%. Steer clear of direct light and air exposure. Mushroom mycelium spread: The mycelium begins to cover the whole wheat grain in 15 to 20 days. Recognize that the spawn is ready for use when the grains become fully white and mycelium appears on them.

6. Storage and packaging

Place the spawn in little containers or sacks. Keep it at 4°C. The spawn is useful for two to three months when stored properly.

7. Safety Measures

At every step of creating spawn, pay close attention to cleanliness. Regularly sterilize the workspace and all of the equipment. The prepared spawn is of low quality if it has any other color or smell. Failure to manage the temperature may hinder mycelium development.