Tsvetomila mycology research

Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:5211nterdisciplinary I University of Kent ]

Recycling: Mycology, Materials Science and Architecture
Context Essay

Word Count: 2350

Abstract
My Interdisciplinary project is based on the development of a fungal building material, which
would be produced from natural renewable resources and building site waste.
To achieve this I have studied various patents and production methods by Eben Bayer and
Gavin Mclntyre at Ecovative (including tests of their samples), and artist Phil Ross'
Mycotecture Project. In addition I have conducted various experiments to determine a
manufacturing process and test different growth methods. As a brief overwiev, the material
is made from woodchips, placed in a mold, and left for mycelium to grow from until
colonisation binds the woodchips and the material has a white spongy surface. The
material is then dehydrated until moisture content falls bellow 30% and treated with
beeswax. The future of this project would be a series of tests and experiments with one aim:
to propose a new material with low environemntal impact, which in its manufacture process
would recycle buildings site waste. Crucial for this material would be the choice of substrate
and fungal species. I am currently researching straw-bale and hemp as cellulose subtsrates
alternative to woodchips, and the types Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus citrinopileatus,
Stropharia rugosa-annulata, Hipsigus ulmaria.

Acknowladgements
I would like to express my gratitude to Tobias van der Haar from the School of Bioscience,
University of Kent, and to artist Phil Ross for their cooperation and guidance outside of Kent
School of Architecture.

Contents
lntroduction ............................ ...... .. ............... 2
Essence of Mycelium ....................................2
Ecovative lnsulation ..................................... 2
Phil Ross Bricks ...... .. .. ...... ... ... ... ........... ... ...... ... 3
Experiments and Prposal. ........................... .4
Endnotes ........................................................ 6
Bibliography .................................................. 6
lmages ...........................................................7
Videos of Experiments ................................. .7
Appendices ................................................... 7
Appendix1 ........................................ 7
Appendix2 ........................................ 7

Appendix3 .............................................. 11
Appendix4 .............................................. 12
Appendix5 .............................................. 13
Appendix6 .............................................. 14
Appendix7 .............................................. 15
Appendix8 .............................................. 18
Appendix9 .............................................. 20
Appendix1 0 ............................................ 31
Appendix11 ........................................... 35
Appendix12 ............................................ 53
Appendix13. Glossary ..... ...................... 56
Notes ....................................................................57

T
svetomila Duncheva I AR:5211nterdisciplinary I University of Kent

Introduction
The world can be perceived as a series of
connections on all levels and scales: from the
relations between celestial bodies to the forces
that make electrons orbit a proton in an atom.(l)
There are numerous interdependencies in our own
planet which maintain a delicate equilibrium in
nature and ensure life can flourish as majestically as
it does. Out of all the organisms there is a specific
type, whose sole purpose is precisely to establish
connections and spread nutrients, thus infusing soil
with the power to sustain all the magnificent flora
and fauna. This highly complicated ubiquitous web
is called mycelium, in essence a mass of fungal
spores(2) . The aim of my project is to propose a
scheme which would utilize the properties of mycelium as nature's recycling and life-spreading entity
to transform construction and demolition site waste
into a natural building material. This would allow for
existing and future buildings to be converted from
threats to the natural world, to an integral part of it.
To demonstrate my ideas I will produce mycelium
prototype materials in different forms, analyse their
properties and discuss commercial applications
of their manufacture process. As support I will use
data gathered during a lengthy research stage,
which I will outline in this essay, arranged according
to author and relevance of the separate ideas to
my proposal.

..

,,

conditions. In addition to Fungi's omnipresence,
immense
diversity5, ability to survive in the most harsh of
conditions these intriguing uses inspired me to
construct a way to turn difficultly degradable and
recyclable, highly C02 embodied building
materials of today into a new, fungal-based natural
one.A fascinating project with a similar emphasis on
fungi's natural capacities to degrade matter, only
in this instance organic, is the Infinity Burial Project
by Jae Rhim Lee, started in 2009 . it's concept of
decomposture, can be summarised in the immortal
quote:
... when we die our bodies
become the grass, and the
antelope eat the grass, and so
we are all connected In the great
circle of life .
Mufasa. The Lion King. ( 1994} .
Another intriguing, much more architectual project
is the Lichen Concrete Deeveloped in Barcelona
by Sandra Manso for a Doctorat's thesis. This patent
utilises lichen's ability to grow on concrete and thus
creates a structural concrete green-wall of three
layers, designed for Mediteranian climate .

Essence of Mycelium
Fungi are believed to be our closest ancestor in
terms of evolutions, with the branches of kingdoms
Fungi and Animals dividing about 650 million years
ago (3) . According to scientific assumptions, they
have survived the first major catastrophe of 250
million years ago (between the Permian and Triassic
periods}, as well as the second 65 million years
after, which marked the extinction of dinosaurs.(4)
From the mists of natural disaster and mass extinction, these creatures weaved their way through
the decaying matter and eventually formed the
vast network of incomprehensive to us complexity
which allowed for plants to evolve, feeding off the
nutrients the mycelium transferred throughout the
Earth's core as it grew. What is so different about
mycelium is that it reacts with other materials on a
molecular levei(S), therefore it doesn't evolve 'on'
rocks, or 'on' trees, but through them, piercing their
cells with its fine web of amazing density of 8 miles/
cubic inch(6) . One man who understands and is
truly fascinated by this living organism is Paul
Stamets, the leading mycologist of today and
author of Mycelium Running(2005} . In his book he
suggests various ways that mushrooms can 'help
save the world' . Although perhaps too optimistic,
the statements he makes are argued with data
from experiments conducted during a life solely
devoted to fungi. According to his knowledge
and research, mushroom species can be used in
almost any aspect of life, but those that grabbed
my attention were their abilities to restore wildlife
habitats, clear toxic waste sites, intentionally destroy timber structures, and destroy munitions in old
mine fields . Please refer to Appendix12 for a study
of relevant fungal properties, species and growing

Image 1. Lichen Concrete Visualisation

Ecovative Insulation
A more practical entreprise which focuses on new
fungal materials is Ecovative developed in the
United States by the young scientists Eben
Bayer and Gavin Mclntyre. Their initiative is highly
commercial-orientated in providing the public
with a large variety of sustainable mycelium-fibre
products. All of the research and development to
achieve this are executed in a highly controlled
laboratory environment, where humidity,
temperature, purity of air /not contaminated with
fungal spores/ can be regulated at ease. In the
process, they make use of local raw biological
waste to feed the bio-engineered mycelia and to
produce packaging, automobile foam
replacement materials, and others shaped to
unique consumer needs. From our correspondence

Tsvetomila Duncheva I AR:5211nterdisciplinary I University of Kent
(refer to Appendix 2) I was left with the impression
that they are highly protective of their progress,
with a great emphasis put on the profit side of the
enterprise, something which is of course natural to
any business enterprise. The developed
dehydrated mycelium insulating materials do
indeed praise great qualities such as fireresistance without added chemicals, improved
energy dissipation, a closed loop-life cycle due to
being 100% biodegradable, 'very good'
acoustic performance(?), all of which focal for
efficient, sustainable insulation . Various tests were
performed with samples of the Ecovative product,
the results of which proved to fall within the later
obtained via e-mail Material Properties Data Sheet
(refer to Appendix 3). A full analysis with sample
experiments can be found in Appendix 5, as well
as in images 7-10. Curiously, there have been none
publications regarding the Ecovative material in
scientific journals, and the material has not been
released on the market as a building insulator.(8)
The reasons for this I suppose are health and s
afetyregulations, rigorous testing for human allergic
reactions, effect on indoor air quality, humidity
protection to prevent rehydration, reaction of
pets. A major drawback would be that all of the
aforementioned focal points cannot be tested
in the long-term without immensely delaying the
product's release date. However, this is valid a
statement for any new material in any material
in history, a current example is the widely used
fibreglass insulation, known to cause cancer and
inhalation problems.(9)

Image 2. Ecovative SIP panel prototype

Albeit the Ecovative products are slightly
mystified and 'greenified', the patents for these
newly proposed products , and descriptions in
Connexion (the world's largest innovative material
database and collection), have given great insight
into the technical, precise aspect of the
manufacture process. Along with an understanding
of the real-life production cycle, these have
provided me with models, guidelines for my own
scheme, new aspects that need to be considered,
such as the provision of controlled environments
and whether it can be avoided through a more
natural, less bio-engineering aggressive way. This
is due to the fact that the specialized scientific
equipment rises questions of the true sustainability,
such as C02 emissions released by the facility, the
origin of the materials that comprise the machinery

themselves, etc. Another intriguing possibility is the
development of structural elements that would
praise the same qualities as the discussed insulation
material.

Phil Ross Bricks
Although Ecovative have proposed a
patent-awaiting scheme for SIP panel
construction, Phil Ross, a US-based artist, takes
the concept of structural fungal building material
much further in his Mycotecture project(lO). Having
explored the possible application and engineering
properties of mycelium as a furniture material(ll ),
he has recently triumphantly grown and
constructed a self-supporting arch. This is how Ross,
P (2012)summarises the process in a Reasoning (12):
... These artworks were created
by infusing live fungal cells into a
pulverized cellulose based
medium (sawdust). The cellulose
serves as both food and
framework for the organism to
grow on, and in about a week
this aggregate solidifies as a result
of the fungi's natural tendency
to join together smaller pieces of
its tissue into a larger constituent
whole.
This project uses Reishi fungus, Genoderma
Lucidum, because of the wide availability of the
species due to medical use, the fact that it is
harmless to humans, it's relatively easy cultivation, and its properties as a tough yet lightweight
material when dehydrated. Designed to be exhibited in a museum in Dusseldorf, Germany, the structure constitutes a 'tea house' made of over 400
mycelium bricks These are of standard brick size,
grown into molds and then left to dry at higher
temperature. The whole process, which can be
observed in Appendix 7, spanned over a
period of three weeks(14). According to his report,
the fungal bricks performed poorly under linear
forces (snapped)(15), but showed great dynamic resistance when struck with a blunt force. The

T

,..,

Image 5. Phil Ross sample brick

Image 4. Phil Ross: Mycelium Arch in Dusseldorf. 2009

structure of the bricks he describes as sponge-like,
with density increasing towards the periphery of the
prisms . Because of this, they are also very difficult
to shape and cut once dry, destroying files and
saws. (16)
What I found fascinating when compared to the
previous examples, was the DIY aspect of Phil's
work1 The facilities required for the arch were no
more than two separate rooms for growing and
dehydrating . This success, along with the short production time and reported properties, allowed me
to consider less-specialised experiments conducted
in an environment similar to that on construction
sites. However, in restrospection , two very important elements were not considered in my analysis
of this method- the importance of the timber types
and ratios in the cellulose substrate (with which Phil
has been experimenting since 1990s), and the autoclave, or sterilisation process prior to inoculation,
or in other words, the entire preparation stage.

ExpBrimBnts and Proposal
The consequences of this unawareness can be
very clearly observed in the results of my own
growth attempts. (Appendices 8-11) To summarise,
the first one, aiming to demonstrate that fungus
can be grown in everyday conditions and also
observe the growth process, got colonised by the
common household mold in 7 days, with a grim
outcome . The second experiment was conducted
in the school of Bioscience to contamination, but
the obtained conifer woodchips prevented it from
growing the specific Genoderma Lucidum fungus .
( 17) However, the rye grains proved to be a highly
suitable medium, as the microscopic observations
proved it was identical to the one growing from the
cellulose-agar laboratoric nutrient mix. The
complexity of the web structure, the fine white net,
was truly conceived only when observed
single-handedly, when all the microscopic
hyphae( 18)were distinguished . The fundamentals of
materials science When the material was observed
at 8.0+ magnitude settings each sight change in
the focus settings would reveal a new layer of
connections .When these extremely strong living
links were compared to the dehydrated sample,

the resemblance was lead me to conclude that th
insulation/building material would benefit from their
binding properties, just as living mycelia. The
specifics of the material would therefore depend
on the substrate materials, and the density to which
the mycelia are left to colonise the mixture.
Therefore if the substrate is constituted from easily
bended elements, such as replacing woodchips
with branches let's say, the fungal material would
have a greater bending moment that the
woodchip sample. Analogically, thermal mass
properties, for example those of concrete, would
aslo be transmitted onto the dehydrated fungal
building material. This would allow for specific-need
varieties to be produced for different use in
buildings- weather it would be fire resistance,
insulation, structure, decoration, sound absorption,
exterior application, etc. However, the issue of
sterile conditions and the emitted C02 emissions to
achieve them, the sourcing, adequate storage and
transportation of the different substrate ingredients
still question the true sustainability of this natural
material. As a possible solution, I propose that
mycology is combined with straw-bale construction .
Straw is a perfect medium for growing most of the
fungal species, as described in detail by Stamets,
Paul (2005) p.191, even in unsterilised, natural (full
of thousands of enemys-spores) surroundings. The
two fungal species naturally occuring in straw and
utilised in straw-bale gardening, Stropharia
rugosa-annulata and Hypsigus ulmaria, could be
used for inoculation via spore injection, or
granulated spores. If this method is developed for
use in the manufacture process of the fungal
material, it's C02 embodied emissions would
decrease greatly, and more importantly, it would
be made much more widely available. In addition,
if pulverized concrete is added to the mixture, it
may not need to be treated prior to being
added to the substrate, and would be absorbed
by the mycelia in a natural way. A fully developed
production method, a range of material varieties,
and hopefully an overall negative carbon footprint
would be the ultimate outcomes of this project: a
new material, consisting of countryside and urban
waste material, binded by the power of nature . The
two types of artificially created human
habitats being reused, fully absorbed by a single
living organism to form the foundations of a new
way of building. Theoretically, an economic niche
for such a material is already evident- the eco
movement is an unavoidable, fundamental part
of our everyday lives, and is of specific interest to

architects, politicians, lawyers around the world. In
terms of details and moisture issues, further research
is needed, but speculate straw-bale, and
hempcrete construction methods could be
applied, using plasterboard as a damp-proof layer.
The problem of the growth cycle being
reactivated,of the mycelia developing fruiting bodies and beginning to grow once put in a
building would have to be thoroughly researched
and resolved. At the moment the assumption is that
if dehydrated to a level of less that 30%
moisture, the hyphae become entirely inactive and
the growth process cannot be
triggered (Appendix 4).

Conclusion
To summarise, applying nature's 'own recycling
system' to reuse the waste of our habitats,
especially the problematic concrete buildings, I
believe to be a prospect for the future. The first
steps in the development of such a system have already been made, with products reaching the free
market. The full potential of the material is still to be
grasped, students around the world are already
exploring it's possibilities in a creative scientific way.

Image 6. Author's presentation: structure

STRUCTURE MICRUSCALE ANALYSIS

GROWTH PRDCESS
1, MYCELIUM llRANCHES FIIOM

Sl GLE SPORE

lalten l'litl"l c LeikQID•~~'261 O..OJ.x..
were lal:en to visuoire the cornpleK web
microsfiiJcfure or lhe mycelium.

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microscopic nello transmit lhem through. Nlatute'sr cyclii'IQ syslem.

2. M'I"CEUUM WEB COLONISES
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3. Fli:URING BODIES ARE
FOR'MED FROM THE
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Image 7. Author's presentation: Microscopic photographs
of petri dish experiment containing 1g Ganoderma
Lucidum spores, 5 g concrete and laboratoric cellulose
substrate . Unfortunately, this sample, despite sterilisation
at 160 degrees celsium, was contaminated by
Stachybotrys Chartarum. These images show the infected

CONTAMINATION EXAMPL
E

fungus at zooms 1.6, 5.0, 15.0 using Leica 10446261 0.63x.
What becomes clear from then is that the dark color of
the contamination is due to the numerous fungal mold
spores in dark color, awaiting to be released in
the environment.

When exposed to unsanitary conditions. the fungus is
attacked and completely colonised by Stachybotrys
Chortorvm. the common Block Mold

Image 8. Author's presentation : Microscopic photographs
the sample obtained from Ecovative, taken at zooms 0.8,
3.2, 5.0 using Leica 10446261 0.63x. What becomes evident
is the strycture of the material, the woodchips are clearly
visible in the first image, the webs structure of the binding

ECOVATIVE SAMPlES

.•.,

mycelium becomes more clear in the second, and is the
focus of the third image. Each fine string contains numerous cells aranged in a tight microscopic web, with hyphae
at their ends. Hyphae are the cells that split to develop
new strings of cells.

These vorietles are port of o ronge of materials developed to
serve os insulation in bu~ding construction. SIP panels ore one
of the possible application methods being developed.


Image 9. Author's presentation: Insulation properties,
showing the density of the Ecovative sample and a
comaprison to other natural insulation materials

INSULATION PROPERTIES

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The Ecovative material was calculated to hove a density
of 176 kg/m cubic. which mckes it 5imilcr to rock wool,
cork and hemp. The results comply with the Ecivatlve dolo.
3. PoS5ble slruclurol properties

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Image 10. Author 's presentation: Tests. These show a few
of the teste I performed with a brief summary of the
outcocomes.

PROPERTIES TESTS

The structural properties. of the samples under horizontal and

vertical load, the possibility of u$ing o triangular grid, and the
sound abosrtion ore other key properties with curious results.
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Eames. (1977}. Powers of Ten.
mycelium(pl. mycelia}: the network or mass
of discrete hyphae that forms the body
(thallus} of a fungus. (Cammack,R. 2012.}
University of California Berkley.(2012}.
Biology Lecture 1B: Fungi. 20:00
Stamets. (2005}. P.3
This is because instead of forming an outer
layer we know as skin, or epidermis, fungi
took another route in evolution to retain nu
trients, forming a web structure.
Alexopoulos. (1996}
Stamets. (2005}. Ecovative (2012} .
Ecovative website/ applications http:/1
www.ecovativedesign .com/applications/
automotive/
Ecovative website/ building materials
http:/ /www.ecovativedesign.com/
applications/building-products/
Yves. (2010}.
Mycotecture. (2009}. Phi I Ross . http:/ /phil
ross.org/projects/mycotecture/#projects/
mycotecture/
Workshop. (2009}. Phi I Ross. http:/ /philross .
org/projects/mycotecture/ #20 12/1 0/01 I
the-workshop-residence/
This document was obtained on
November 30th 2012 via e-mai.
Ross, P. (20 12}
Ross, P. (20 12} p .3 For a video demonstra
tion please follow the links:

Ross, P. (20 12} p .3
This is partially due to the fact that he
didn't have access to laboratories
when he started off as a fungus enthusiast.
Sterry, Paul. (2009}
Hyoha, Hyohae: The individual fungal cells.
Stamets, Paul (2005} p.306

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Paul Stamets. (20 11). How Fungi can Boost the Human Immune System. TEDMED talks .
http:/ /www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXHDoROh2hA
Eben Bayer. (20 10) . Are Mushrooms the New Plastic.
TED talks .
http :/ /www.ted .com/talks/eben_bayer_are_
mushrooms_the_new_plastic.html
Jae Rhim Lee. (20 11) . My Mushroom Burial Suit. TED
talk.
http://www. ted .com/talks/jae_rhim_lee .html
Tobias Revell. (2012). New Mumbai. http://vimeo.
com/44168415
The Ecomist.(2012) . Material Connexion Library. http:/ /www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/20 12/07/library-new-materials? bclid=O&bctid=1730885096001
Discovery Channel . (2012). Future Tech. Material
Connexion. http:/ /www.discovery.ca/ Article.aspx?aid=35017
Tamar Haspel . (2011 ). How to Grow Shiitake Mushrooms at Home.
http:/ /www.youtube.com/
watch?v=2369npAmY Jo
Steven Maxwell. (2011) .Mepkin Abbey Mushroom
Production by Cistercian Monks . http:/ /www.youtube .com/watch?v=2369npAmY Jo
Terence McKenna . (unknown). Mushrooms
from Outer Space http:/ /www.youtube .com/
watch?v=AIMPX5aGCu8&feature=player_embedded#!
Disney MGM Studios. ( 1994). The Lion King . Directed
by Allers, R. and Minkoff, R. 00:09 :35.

lmagBs
lmagel. Science Daily. Accessed 05/03/2013
http:/ /images .sciencedaily.com/
2012/12/12122008031 0-large.jpg
lmage2. Ecovative . Accessed 05/03/2013
http:/ /www.ecovativedesign.com/
lmage3. Mycotecture. Phil Ross . Accessed
05/03/2013 http:/ /philross .org/projects/
mycotecture/
lmage4. Mycotecture. Phil Ross . Accessed
05/03/2013 http:/ /philross .org/projects/
mycotecture/
ImageS. Author' presentation . 06/03/2013.

VidBos of ExpBrimBnts:
Experiment 1 Growth :
https:/ /www.youtube .com/watch?v=3GsCqT1 Ji 1c
Experiment 2 Split:
https:/ /www.youtube .com/watch?v=gsSmSTl hge3s
Experiment 3 Grid :
https:/ /www.youtube .corn/watch ?v=j9VmFO-KU Xg
Experiment 4 Flame:
https:/ /www.youtube .corn/watch ?v=Z Hh n BC 1Zj6o
Experiment 5 Slow Burn :
https:/ /www.youtube .corn/watch ?v=stU D4eDjs8o

AppBndicBs:
Appenxl: Correspondence with Phil Ross
Hello Phil Ross!
I am an enthusiastic student at the University of
Kent, Canterbury currently doing an Interdisciplinary
module as part of my final year of BA (Hons) Architecture. The University of Kent is among the most
renowned for it Architecture course in the United
Kingdom, and has an extensive programme which
focuses on sustainability. As a topic for my project 1
have chosen new sustainable materials and have
become truly fascinated with your work on Mycotecture which merges Mycology with Architecture.
As part of the process I would like to explore the
possibilities this union has to offer, and test at first
hand the material properties of fungi. A particular aspect of my research would naturally be the
properties of fungi that make them nature's own
recycling system and how that may be applied in
architecture and industry, which is extremely closely
linked with your work.
Up to this point, I have found the online resources
on Mycotecture very informative, but to continue
my project I would require a more reliable and
specific database . Unfortunately, despite my best
efforts to find published scientific papers, talks,
patents or other official documents regarding your
work, such as laboratory research, results, etc., 1
could not find any material to assist my project. 1
would thus be extremely grateful if you could send
me additional information, or sources where to find
it, regarding the process of producing a practical
building material :
- Time requirements
- Facilities
- Type of fungi used
-Specific data: density, strength, unsuccessful tests ,
numeric studies
- Possible faults and how they are handled
- How the current industry could adapt to the use of
this material
-Your personal views as an artist
Thank you in advance for the time taken to read
this, your cooperation and support! I sincerely hope
we can collaborate in this intriguing field to spread
the knowledge among the new generation of
designers!
Best Regards ,
Tsvetomila Duncheva

T
Hello Phil Ross!
I am an enthusiastic student at the University of
Kent, Canterbury currently doing an Interdisciplinary
module as part of my final year of BA {Hons) Architecture . The University of Kent is among the most
renowned for it Architecture course in the United
Kingdom, and has an extensive programme which
focuses on sustainability. As a topic for my project I
have chosen new sustainable materials and have
become truly fascinated with your work on Mycotecture which merges Mycology with Architecture .
As part of the process I would like to explore the
possibilities this union has to offer, and test at first
hand the material properties of fungi . A particular aspect of my research would naturally be the
properties of fungi that make them nature's own
recycling system and how that may be applied in
architecture and industry, which is extremely closely
linked with your work.
Up to this point, I have found the online resources
on Mycotecture very informative, but to continue
my project I would require a more reliable and
specific database. Unfortunately, despite my best
efforts to find published scientific papers, talks,
patents or other official documents regarding your
work, such as laboratory research, results, etc .. I
could not find any material to assist my project. I
would thus be extremely grateful if you could send
me additional information, or sources where to find
it, regarding the process of producing a practical
building material :
- Time requirements
- Facilities
- Type of fungi used
-Specific data: density, strength, unsuccessful tests,
numeric studies
- Possible faults and how they are handled
- How the current industry could adapt to the use of
this material
-Your personal views as an artist
Thank you in advance for the time taken to read
this, your cooperation and support! I sincerely hope
we can collaborate in this intriguing field to spread
the knowledge among the new generation of
designers!
Best Regards,
Tsvetomila Duncheva
BA{Hons) Architecture
University of Kent
Canterbury

1111111

celium Running as a good introduction to different
culturing techniques and concepts . If you do have
experience in growing fungal tissue or other in-vitro
technique or skills please let me know.
You can find many patents on line if you look for
mycelium as a search term . You can also read
a recent interview, which gives some idea of my
backround here:
http:/ /glasstire .com/20 12/09 /08/the-future-is-fungalinterview-with-phil-ross/
And I have attached a brief description of the material and my process.
Best,
Phi I
Hello Phil,
Thank you ever so much for your informative reply! I
was just beginning to doubt the entire chosen topic
because of time restrictions and lack of scientific
publications in journals on the topic, but now I have
hope for this project again!
Regretably, I do not have any experience in the
field of biology, so I will turn to Mycelium Running
as a first point of reference . I am currently going
through a general source to familiarize myself with
the subject, The Fungi by Michael J Carlile.
Could I also ask you in terms of time, since the
project I am working on only spans for another
3 months, what could I achieve in your opinion?
Having in mind I am only inetersted in the bricks,
and have gathered the information related to them
available on your website . In the interview you so
kidnly sent me you mentioned they could be grown
even in just a week. Would that be provided I have
ideal facilities? Being at university, I should have
access to the Bioscience laboratories, however a
room for my own research and fungi growth would
be way too optimistic, so the project may need to
be carried out in domestic/non-professional settings . Would you think this is a problematic issue?
From your experience it sounds like it should be
quite probable.
Also, I did not receive your attachment for some
reason . Could you resend it, please? I am attaching a pdf with patents which came out under
a search of your name, as MYCELIUM showed
4,000+results, and I have also looked at the patents of Ecovative, would you recommend them?
In addition, would you have an explanation to the
lack of publication in mycology-related journals, because that is one of the major gapin my research?

Hello, Tsvetomila Duncheva,
Can you first tell me about the types of experience
you have with growing fungal tissue, or other in-vitro
technique and laboratory skills with applied behaviors directed from germ theory. If you do not it is not
a problem, but I would first recommend learning to
grow fungi to inform your research more deeply.
This will lead to much better questions about the
parameters of the material, which is metamorphic
and plastic in its nature . If you do not have this experience I recommend reading Paul Stamet's My-

Apologies if I have bombarded you with insignificat
random questions but the support I have managed
to receive from the architecture and bioscience
departments has been less than I first anticipated .
Thank you in advance! I truly appreciate your cooperation .
Best,
Tsvetomila

Hello Tsvetomila,

Appenx2: Correspondence with Ecovative

Please find attached the document. Three months
is not that much time, and I suggest you set aside
the rest of your life for this if you are really interested .
You will have to learn how things grow, which has
a clock of its own in becoming . If you act as if this
is the same as other material realities than you will
miss the jewels along the way .
Best,
Phi I

Hi Tsvetomila,

Hi Phil,
Thank you very much for the reasoning, it has been
of great help, as well as the Paul Stamets books you
recommended! My project is well underway now,
and I was wondering if you knew any of the specific
propertis of your experiments, such as thermal conductivity, acoustic performance, behaviour under
tension/compression, weight per cubic metre? Even
if it is a an estimate, it will only be used to strengthen
the project and back-up it up with numeric figures .
If there would be any restrictions on the publicity of
the information, not printing it on my final presentation for instance, I would follow them strictly!
I will send you my presentation as a pdf if you are
interested to see it at the end of this project.
Best,
Tsvetomila
Hi Tsvtomila,
I have not yet published my data, but most probably will be doing so in later May. Unfortunately, I can
not share this as yet.
However, I think you will find some interesting data
sets of similar materials here:
https:/ /docs .google.com/a/usfca .edu/viewer?a=v&q=cache:43uWOZ57N30J:www.gsapp.
org/ AAR/wp-content /uploads/20 10/05/Mayorai_091 O_GROWING-ARCHITECTURE-THROUGH-MYCELIUM-AND-AGRICULTURAL-WASTE.
pdf+mycelium+based+furniture&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgi4BsF5WtVdthzscTef39VKhRojMv9CW F2hvsPOqTOJQvvQTjXa YT AHJAuOrSeQFnTAvH 1XUJhiCAHo_LyollvrYcJ5-SK9bqGUNeBSS 1XzAjUSFC5dsNoOXuhoh2vuwWLirw&sig=AHIEtbRxz3MDsuzwtdyATyAB-4nUz-KOKQ
And also :
http:/ /issuu.com/mycofarmx/docs/mycofarmx
I would very much like to see your presentation
when you are done .
Best,
Phi I

Many thanks for your interest and enthuasiasm .
We 're excited to hear
from students like yourself who support our work .
Due to the
proprietary nature of our technology and products,
I'm unable to
provide answers to your questions. I wish you the
best of luck with
your project.
Best,
Stephen Nock
EcovativeDesign .com
Dear Stephen,
I was very disappointed to hear that you could not
provide me with additional information! However I
was stubborn in my research and managed to find
several patents by Eben Bayer and Gavin Mclntyre,
which provided me with very useful information . As I
am continuing my research, would it be possible to
obtain samples of your products? They would be of
great use to me for quality control while making experiments with Fungi at the University of Kent. Credit
for them would of course be given to the Ecovative
Team. Please let me know about delivery cost details and I will provide a posting address should you
confirm you can send me sample material.
Thank you in advance!
Best,
Tsvetomila Duncheva
Hi again Tsvetomila,
lt sounds like you've made great progress on your
research; congratulations! We're happy to offer
samples in our online webstore . You should be able
to navigate the costs of delivery through the site:
http:/ /www.ecovativedesign .com/store/
Let me know if you have further questions. We're
anxious to hear the results of your work.
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for the prompt reply! I will keep you
informed on the progress of my project and send
you some images once it starts to take more solid
shape. I am looking forward to receiving my samples!
Best,
Tsvetomila
Hi Stephen,
Thank you very much for the samples they have are
great, everyone in the school is really fascinated
by the material! My project is well underway now,

lfll11

T
and I was wondering if you could give me data
on the specific thermal conductivity properties,
acoustic performance, behaviour under tension/
compression, weight per cubic metre? Even if it is
a an estimate, it will only be used to strengthen the
project and back-up it up with numeric figures . If
there would be any restrictions on the publicity of
the information, not printing it on my final presentation for instance, I would follow them strictly!

Thanks,
Tsvetomila
Tsvetomila,
I can provide the attached information . Good luck
with your presentation .
Stephen

Appendix3: Ecovative Data Sheet

TECHNICAL

SUMMARY
Standard or Test

45- 200 kglm3

Denalty
COmpressive !81rength (10%C)

12-46kPa

ASTMD695

Comprwsive modulus (1 O%C)

0.25 - 11.0 MPa

ASTM0695

F1eXJUral strength

90 - 300 kF'a

ASTMD693

Rexural modululll

1 - 4 . ~ MPa

ASTMD393

Flammability

Stable to 34QPC

TGA1e.st

Flr:e resistance

Cl'ass 1 Firewall:

ASTM E1354

0..035- 0.06 WlmK

TPS

Pass

ASTM C1338

Class 1 V:apor : etaroer,
R
0.04 US Pe-rm

ASTM E96

7%

ASTM 01134, partial immersjon

0-63-00 Hz

ASTM E10SO

Tflermal eonduethtity

Mold ntaistanat

Water sorption

Alribome ao111d tranamiu•lon
Pertormar~ce

ranges due lo substrata S.'t'laction

Appendix4: Ecovative Patent Study
Process for creating de-hydrated mycelium pellets

®
Dehydrated
Mycelium

Compos it~

'

~

_..;.

_

__.

.__-_ - _ - .J_;
. . -_ -___ '

.. __ . _,,

........ -- - _

.

~--------------------- - ---- ------- --- --

.---·-·· -~·----·-- ------~
I

I

I

!

~~~~on ~

I

@

I

.
.
I
I

'

'
............ ___________,
I

ruses:

app'lication
"blow m cavilie:>
to
*gap filling material
.. erosion colllroll !:led
"'spt~t~y

I

'

' --· --------- - ~

1[1111

T
Appendix5: Ecovative Material details. Obtained via Eduardo
Mayoral Gonzalez from Columbia University.

Table 5.7. Greensulate chemical composition from the
Researching Technology and Innovation Centre of Sevile .

Elm! miC

0

11 . 71

Atorme'll
48.8:3
1:J.31

AI

;l4 91

1Q 31

SI

0 .44
0 .19

0 .33

c

Table 5.1. Energy Consumption and C02 emissons data
from Ecovative Design .
I
I
I

Cl
K
Cli

,,

Fu
I
Table 5.2. Greensulate characteristics from Ecovative
Design .

I

EP6

OM~

1

J:l.Vt'J h.~

3 1 ~.>1'1't~

71tr.o/fl:,:t
:Mn
VOryLGw
541!>:!!1
ViSrySniall

3 .5/in
Hrgll
33 psi

flmnrfl<~hihtv

SU'er'Jqtll
~OOtpnnt

c~~

l:liq
US[l,ift"

~-<'l

c:ao

10:.0
1 .419

4 63

10000
Wei!Jhtllb
? 6 20
11 2 4

I

c
AI
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Cl
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1. 19

4 .9'2

ea

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lls.o~

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15 18
19 15

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1.06
11.67

0~

939

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863

I

Fa

17 13

i

T~al~

O. b~

6.4'!:>

10000

2·~ USQift"

Table 5.3. Greensulate chemical composition from the
Researching Technology and Innovation Centre of Sevile.

element;5

~ .02

8.87
2 74
13. 13

Tr~~f!l

0
I

0 .4'ti

9.39

~men&

I
~

Waghr.'ll
28.0 4

Image 5.1 . Greensulate diffractogram from the Researching Technology and Innovation Centre of the University of
Seville .

P, O,

so"

l:tJ
elemellCS
llll

SI(),

0_!:183
MilD

0.39!1

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0
0 2.l0

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iaO

0,0~:7

lt009

0,004

ill!

o

o.oao

0 4 Uil
AI,O,

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Table 5.4- Table 5.6. Greensulate chemical composition
from the Researching Technology and Innovation Centre
of Sevile.
8!.:mu11t

W111gh~(Jb

AtDnl i L~~

f.5 BSl

0

5() 4?
2/.BIJ

Nil

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0. 14

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U. EI1

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ea
Totals

l:lertlllll[;

r:
0
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0. 2 8

--~,

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~

79

Wr.:•gflt1cMI

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2<:;..21

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2"3.22

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0 .4ll

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Nu

Image 5.2. Greensulate diffractogram from the Researching Technology and Innovation Centre of the University of
Seville .

Appendix6: Phil Ross Reasoning

Phil Ross

Description of Pa.st Work With fungai .M aterials

In the early 199o·s I began growing a :series of sculptural artworlks 111sing li ing flllngllls as
my primary casting ni1ateriaL These artworks were created by infusing live fung.a] cells

into a pulverized ·cellulose based medium (sawdust). The cellulose serves as both food
and framework fol!' rhe organism to grow on, and in about a week this aggregate solidifies
as a result of the fungi ' s natural tendency to join together smaller pieces of its tissue into

a larger constituent whole . Like cement and plaster>fimgal tissruewilllbind>solidify and
harden into any chosen form , and once dried out and processed becomes a

l~ghnveight

and strong material. The same methods and techniques d1at created these artworks can
also be used to gener.ar. any number of physical objects, and it ~swell suDted to creating a
e
ast and dli· erse range ofmarerial applicati.ons. The fo11owing text will desc:r1be a little
more about the bioloe.:ry behind this, as weH as the mot[vat[ons and history that have led to

this way of working with materials.
Characteristics of Mushroom Growth

Mushrooms are similar in some ways to animals in that they need to consume things that
were once .a live in order lO survive and grow. Animals digest d1e food they eat by moving
it through the insides of their bodies,. but fungi do things in re erse, growing an

'ntercmmected web of threadlike cells directly wifhin the food they are in the process of

djgesting. In this way it is possible for a single. microscopic fungal s.pore tto land on the
scratched surface otf a tree' s bark, and there gennit1ate insidious threadJike c.eJls that will
rligest the insDde of the tree wl1ile bidden from view. Over a course of time ranging frmlll a

few days to a few decades, an expanding web of interwoven fungal cells wi]l exude
strong enzymes into the wood or other materia[ it is living within, and dissolve the
molecular bonds that give structure to the plant's cell wa1ls. The fungus absorbs dissolved

nutrients taken from the wood. whicl1 it then uses to bui~d the large. chain-like molecules
caUed <
chhin ' that compose its own cell waJls. Chit'n like celll!llose and keratin. are

naturally forming po~ymers that are found in the toughest organic tissues.

111111

T

Traditional Mushroom Cultivation
Mushroom fanns prepare the food for mushrooms by pasteurizing comcobs sawdust and
many other types. of cellulose based agricultural waste that .have been packed into bags

and other vesse·ls. Once the vessels have cooled down after pasteurization they are
opened within a flowing stream of super dean air_ Little pieoes of fungal tissue are
poured intto the esse! and then mixed into the neutralized cel1ulose. These

introduced

t~ssue

p~eces

of

gmw and expand, consuming and transfom1ing tlle dead plant material

within the vesseJ into a cross~wo en matrix. of interconnected fungal cells. Much as one

s1ow1y feeds. flour to yeast that wi11 eventually expm1d and become bread dough, these
fungal b~obs can be grown by being fed pasteurized cellulose. After a molding and
forming process, the fmgus bricks are rendered biologica1ly inert through a kiln-drying
session.

Why This

Partic~tlar

Fungus?

The reishi fungus has long been valued in cultures around the pEanet~ both for its value as

a health tonic and also for the aesthetic aloe found in its distincti · e forms.

ln addition

to

these saHent fearures the n-eishi fungus can also be used to create objects that are hard
strong, and lightweight once thei e been drled out and are relatively easy to cultivate
·nto being. From my ongoing years ofex.perjments I have learned how to grow tough

structural forms from the ·fungus rh rough a manipulation of material densities and
environmental controls. Fungi are very :sensitive to their surroundings, and by altering
subtle factors it

~s

possible to make the tissue express a range of physical characteristics_

While incredibly strong and durable the material can readily be broken down through

benign organic processes and incorporated back into the world.
Funga~.

Material Qualities :and Description

For an exhibition in Dusseldorf. Germany in 2009 I giew a system of bricks out onhe
reishi fung,al material. which were assembled into a modest sized teahouse. The bricks
were grown on a sub:strate of oak sawdust. and were proc,essed in about thre-e weeks time.


The material structures of these lbr:icks resembled a spongy composite material with
roughly cross-grained parrides in the middle progressi ely becoming denser towards the
skin . The skin is r]g]d with a surface texture that varies from fluffy, cotton-like velvet, to
rubbery/fleshy leatlhe.r, to beetle-shell brittle aud shiny. T he bricks behaved like cork and

felt a bit like a 6 ]b/ft"3 uretthane foam. Even with thi s, haping and cutting the br ick
destroy,ed our fi les rasps and saws. Through various eng!neer.i ng tests l have ]earned tllat
these bricks

wm crunch with a moderate linear forces , but if stmck wi~h a blunt force

their dynamic resistance is outsrtanding. The reason Echose to work with reishi is due in
part to it being one of tile most studied fungi on the planet, with a huge amount of

pubUsbed literature available on its life cycle and b~ology . It is considered to be a
·golden-herb' in Traditiona1 Chinese Medicine, a status reserved for candidates tllat are
the most benign. and also beneficial for human contact and consumption_ Rf'ishi has many
wild type relativ,e s and

cousins~

each with a diverse range of quaHties and

characteristic ~

and many with tbe po~entia1 to lbe grown on Ag waste at room ~emperature using
standardized, offthe sheEfbiocon ersion equipment_

Current Research
This: proj ect initially started from a desire to understand how environmentaJ conditio:u.s
influence the aesthetics of life fonns. It is now focused on the engineering and production
of an entire building assembly system that is made from fungus bas,ed materials and

components. Fungus can be propagated on waste products ~hat are readily available
almost e · erywhere on trhe planet, using slightly aLtered equipment and manufacturing

processes, and using a fraction of the energy of conventional mateda] production.
In the fall of2012 I wiEl be an AIR at The Workshop Residence here in San FJandsco,

where· [ wUI be growing a set of limited edition 'fu.miture cultivated and manufactured
almost ent~rely from loca] agricultura] waste and otlher organic ingredients. The furniture
wlll be a way of der ousurating the engineering and fabricatmon possibilities for more
m
complicated types ofmaueria] consuructions. Ihese fumiture pieces wiB use essential oils,

beeswax. sheElac and otfuer biodegradab1e ingredients, and wm incorporate structuraJ

.salvage wood elements.

T
Appendix7: Phil Ross Study of Mycelium Brick Arch

11:1111

Image 7.1. Molds for the bricks are made .

Image 7.4. The Genoderma lucidum fungus is left in to
solidify at 21 degrees celsium and moderate daylight for
two weeks.

Image 7.2. Genoderma Lucidum fungus is left to grow at
room temperature of 21 degrees celsium on woodchip
substrate .

Image 7.5. The Genoderma lucidum fungus is moved to a
growing room with moderate daylight at temperature 26
degrees celsium.

Image 7.3. The plastic bags are placed in the molds to be
shaped into brick while colonisation is still taking place.

Image 7.6. Some of the bricks are taken out of the mold to
check they have the correct shapes and dimensions.


Image 7.7. The checked bricks are placed in the maids
again and the tops are cut out to allow the fungus to grow
(the desired look of the bricks for this particular project).

Image 7.1 0. The fully grown and dehydrated over 400
bricks are laid out in a museum in Duseldorf and a
temporary arch timber frame is constructed.

Image 7.8. The bricks are then left to grow out in a high
humidity environment (air humidifiers used) at 26 degrees
celsium and moderate daylight for a week.

Image 7.11. The bricks are assembled alongside the frame.
Bamboo chop-sticks are used as binding pegs for
increasing the shear strength of a tightly locked arch.

Image 7.9. The bricks dehydrated for a period of ten days
using electric heaters, fan heaters and air dehumidifiers.
Average room temperature 35 degrees celsium.

Image 7.12. The structure is exhibited. Note that all the
files and instruments were destroyed by the bricks while
shaping the details.
r---------~----~--------.

T
Appendix8: Experiment No.l Growth in Domestic Conditions

EXPERIMENT STARTED: 21101/2013
EXPERIMENT ENDED:

21/0'2/2013

MAii'ERIAL5 USED:

3X 300/2S0/1S. mm C
ARDBOARD MUSHROOM SUBSTRATE MED IUM

1X SOgr PINK OYSTER DRIED (iRAINS
1X SOgl' GOLOEN OYSTER OR:IEO 6RAINS

produced by tJy Hr.Fotlhergrills, Ker-.Hord, Suffolk
MIX Of HA TERIALS~
Sgr Solid timber /ne.!lldle~s mahn~tkks/
4gr Hehl and wire /~e.apnone ends/
3gr Lightweight t iml:le!r

2gr Cloth
CloU;

~5%

Se~lid t imber 35%

Ughtwergnt

timber 20%

t1etat 30%

1 ETHOO:
M

1. The cardboard subs.tra te was divided int o four parts.. each

lllle;a:s urin g 150/125/15 mm for experiment .and obs er vation
purposes..
2. The s.ubtrabl'! was in f used, toH owing the ins tr uctions provi ded,
with the f ungi spa.wn in 4 ba tc hes:

2.1. Pink O
yster. Pure.
2.2. Pink Oyster. W 1/Z of M of Ma,terials on l evel '2 subs"trate
ith
ix
2J. Yullow Oyster. Pur e.
2.4. Yellow Oyster. With 1/2 of Hix: of Ha~erials. on leve l 2
substrate

3. The batches 'Were hydlrated and sealed in pl.as tic: bags to grow
at room temperature
GOAL~

Initial f ungi growt·h 'il'il cont1·olled coditions to understand the
r

process.
Test if fungi grow whe-n di fferent ma terials are added to th e

subsJrate.
Obsetve the ma,teria! dlild att empt dehyd ra t ion method .


19 . Gotd~n Oy'Ster.
Pure. hterier. Si•11s
g
r>f water iibsorbtion.

Slight
20.

~ ign~

Golder1

of growrh.

Oyst·er.

With ma t erial-s.

Elderior. Signs. ot
wate:r abs.orbticm.

He:~

signs of gnwtl'l.

21'. Golden Oy-s ter. With
ma t erials. rnterior. C
lear
signs of initial
c:olonis.ation in tentre r>f

substrate.
22.

Gold~n

Oys.hr. Wdl"l

materiaLs. li'i teri01r detail.

fli(ely formed wetil of
mycelium takiniJ over
th.e materialo;.
Theo four batches were
rehydrated l<'itll 5(} ml
wate• each. rese.aled in
r

CONCLUSIONS ON GOLDEN OYSTER DEVELOPMENT. DAY 4.
- Cardboard substrate: vis•tlly 11at colanis:ed by the mycelium. Sponge-like
structure. very similar to moist paper properties.
- The Goldfn Oyster batches sha-wed much faster develaprnent than thf Pink
Oyster.

I assign

this fad ta the fungi type,

because

the conditions were the

s.ame for both species.

n·ew rlean bags. labeled
- 8oth Golden Oyster llatchts showed dear signs of -stage 1 m~celium growth.
and [eft to gro·""' at ro01m From the 'W1th materials.' it is dear that growth starts from the centre.
t'llmpe-ra• re f· r S. days. spreading gradually to the periphery.
hlr o

OBSERVATION
DAY 9
06102/2013:
Z3. Pink Oys.her. Pure.
Exterior. Sil)ns. of water

absorbrlon.
24. Pi r.k Oyster. PIJre.
Elevation. Cr>lonis.ation

has bonded the three
layers.
ZS. Pir~k Oys~er . With
ma t erials. Ex terior,
Sings of dehydr<~tir on

and funga l coloraHon.
26. Pink Oyster. With
materiats . Elev~t·iol'l.

T
svetomila Duncheva I AR:5211nte rdisciplinary I University of Kent

r14111

27. G·olden Oyster. Pure. CONClUSIONS ON PINK OYSTER DEVELOPMENT. DAY 9.
Exte-rior. Signs, ·o.f
- Cardlloard substrate: visibly slightly colonised D)l the mycelium. Sigras of
dehydra;tiQI1. Cctorat irm
hardening on bottom layer. Otherwise spongy structure.
s.pots. in green due to

fu1
ngal growth.

- Signs of mycelium establishing connections between the cardboard Layers -

he :s.ubstrate is being actively devoured..
- The m
.ycelium seems to be deveiDping with equal paste in bot-h 'Pur e' and
With materials' Dah h e~ . Positive .
28. Golden Clyster. Pure. ~Weaker !Connections and l ess development than the Golden Oyster. Puff-ball
E>::hriOF. EI I!:Vi~hOn. The
u11 i t e resemblance . As visible in the com arison bellow.
mycelium W'!!l:l is.

Splreding acrr~;~ss. te vels
and ll~s. , olor~tiM .

29. Golden Oyster. Witn
·
materials. Exterilllr . Sign
if

d~hydrt:~~tion~.

Slight

Coloration due to flJngal
growth.

30. Gol dern Oyster . With
ma~·eria ls. £:derior.
Hev.a tion. The f ungus
has s:!)r ead <~gCJ.rEssi Y ely
a~:ns s

levels . The

levels could not be
s~para t~d .

CONCLUSIONS ON GOLDEN OYSTER DEVELOPME
NT. DAY 9.

:n Pink Oyster. W h
it
lnh!:rior. The
«:ouldl be
sep• arated des.pite the
a

materi~ l $.

- Card!Joard substrate: visibly slightly colonised !Jy tile mycelium edernally.

Spongy structure. Could not be separated withou t destroying the cardbcard,
-There are strong connections between the layers. External coloration in
green is a sign of the cardboard being actively devoured.
f ungal gnrwth. Th e pi11k - The mycelium seems to be devel oping well in both batches, albeit the 'With
oys ter mycelium is
materials' one is much more overgro111n.
dearly more a
-Oufc:ker than the Pink Oyster. Web structure. As. visible in the ~;omparison
'r>uff~bal l' type.
bellaw.
level~

31. tiolden Oyster. With
m-aterials .. lnterial". Tfle
l aye-s

~·oudl

not be

separated. The mat·erials
are chHtrly engulfed by
th~ mycelium. This
my~;;t.J l ium resembles a
net (!lr

web.


:n

Pink Oyst~r . Pure .

With 2 pieces cut aut
for dehydra ti on h•sting.
Very difficult tD cut.

34. Gold'en Oys.hr. Pure.
With 2 piece1 wt out
for t.lehydrat ion te:sting.
E~!!n

morE! diffi.cult to

wt.

OBSERVATION

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

DAY 14

- Booth 'Pur·e' batches were divided using a sharp knife into 3 pil!!cec: 2x:
6S/50t60 mm 1x 125/t()0/60rnm. The purpose was to have small spec:imens when

11/0212013:

reaching 14 and 21 day$ of the

35. Pink Oyster. Pure.
The smalt pieces meant
for d!l'hy dr at ioll.

36.

Gold~n

Oyster.

Pure. The small

p i ~ce5

rnea ll t for dehydration,
Noh! the dark

cliS,CDioration.
31. Pink Oys·ter. Pute.
The b l!'s t s.pedml!!n
cl'losen for t l'le
dehydr.ati(lin te~t .

38. GoLd!!!n Oyst!'!!r. Pure.
The! bE!s.t s.pl!!ciml!!n

chosen for tile
de-t1ydration test.
Inferior ilf'l qu!ity to the
Pin'k Oysh:r sjJedmelll.
39. Pink Oyster piec'e
.after dehydr-altion for
10 hours at 9'0 C

4{k Golden Oyster piece

after dehydra1
tion
10 hours. at 90 L

ft~r

e~j:leriment tt~

te$ t the dehydratiofl'l method•

. _ This, howe'ier. proved to be rather unsucces$ful, as in both cases the
smaller pieces were not nearly as (Olonised as the larger one As seen bellow.
- All four batches were then carefully hydrated with SO ml water each. $Uied,
labelled and put away ~o warmer conditions with the: intention to speed up ~he
growth process. A green-hcuse effect. in ether words.
--------------~

T

<+ 1.

Pi,'lk Oyster. Pur e.
l

Exterior . No t e the

discoloraliCII"lS :.pots .

Oia:meter 1

42. Pink

ro

1 mm.

Oysh~r -

Pure.

Interior, Majority of
m:acelium is. whiite,

however •here- are
di:scol cro'[lticns in

gre~rn.

yeltow and black .
43. Pink Oyste:r , PiJre,

ElevatiDn. [)is(DICiration

in green a!ld

l:l~adc

Very

week ccmnedions

behiO!en layerr;.
44 . Pink Oyster. Pute.
1 erior d'et ail. Yello-w
nt
grain- like. green

mold-like imperfe:cticms.
45. Pink: Oyster . With

m111teri.als. Exterior.
46. Pink Oys.ter. W
ith
materials. E~~:terlor

de·tail

<Of discoloration in
greeo .and bl ack .
O
iameter 1 t o ~ mlfl for
greeo, 3 to '12 mm for
bla(k.

47. Pink Oyster. With
material s. Elevation.
Connection tletwee-n

layers is

dear~y

vis'ible. '

Slight di,sw[. ration.
o

48. Pink Oys.ter. W
ith
materials.. Elevation•.

Tut of substrate.
49. Pink. Oys t er . With
materials. lnh!!rior.
Obyndanc::e of white
puff- like rr.yceliLJrTI. Minor
discolartions.

50. Pink Oysteli. 'With
materials.. Interior dehil.

-.J;'-'l...ol~=--"-'""-

rL1111


51. Golden Oys~er.
E)(terior. Slight
dli~col (lr~tioo~

Pure.

lllli!linly in

green, 1 to 4 mm In
dlrameter.

'32. Gl)lden Oyster;. Pure.
Exterior detail.

53. Goldetn O~ster. Pure.
Eletvatioll 1. Black.
discoloration.
S4. Gold£'1'1 Oy~ter. Pur£'.
El- vation 2. Green ami
e
black discoloratio-n.

55. Gllldetn O~ster. Pure.
Elevation 3. Nai~nly dark

green discoloration.

56. Golden Oy-s er. Pure.
Elevation 4. Black
dis.uloratiot mainly ar
n

ends where the

my( e ~iym

ila·s l:leen in contad
the plastic bag.

~o~ith

51. (}olden Oy:sh!r. 'With
ITiate-r1als . bteri()r, Very
s.li.ght

llls~oloratioM,

all

in bro~Wn. These would
Clnly tile diJe t(J
dehyl!,r;ltlon of th£>
&ubstr.ate.

SS. Goldtm Oyster. Witfl
!'hat~rial$ ,

El(h'lriar detail.

S-9. Golden Oyster. With
materials. Elevation1 .

overgrowr1 web of
mycelium has sligi"Jt
disc:oiCIIratio·ns., main'ly on
rhe bottllm layer.
60. Golden Oyster. W'P
th
ma~eriats . Elev.ation2.

T

61. Golden Oy'lter. With
materials . EleYation l
£lisc:£Jiora t ions on both
layers.
&Z. Golder~ Oyster.

With

rn~teriat~

El~vati o n

-.
4

Edensively overgrown.
yet di~colorated ()1!1
both layers. mainly
where the 111yc eU
um
t.as

wi th

I:J~en

th~

in conhd

r-tas tic

b.a~.

&3 . Gold~n Oys.t,er.

With

m<:~terials .

Elevation 4.
[)etail cf separation
attempt .

64. [joldefil

Oy~ter .

With

m::~ter i~l~. Snapg.hot~

M

test under horizontal
~nd vertic;illl foHe:s . FQr
the 'Jicleo footage j:ll ease
foll ow the link:

CONCLUSIONS
-The develop1111mt of the mycelium in aH four £ases was suprl:sinyly
unadvanc;ed, A strong unpilenant smell as well as teh various discolorations in
yellow, greu and bl~ck were unex:pected. After somre research I established
that all these signs. ~o~ere evidenc.e of the mycelium beil"'g infected by common
houselod fungus such as mol d. (PF-Tek. http://www.fungifun.org/English/Pftek

ottp:/IWW'-1 . ~OI.ih.ii)e, cOm/ Ac:ce!;sed 11102/2013.)
-This was due to lack of sterile conditions and the reseaUing performed fOtr
lo'~t rh ?v :3GsCqT1 Ji1 r
detailed examination of the: l:latc~es. .
-Unfortunate!~ this le-ad to the end of the experiment 1 days in advance of
the plan11ed dehydration. I made a decisron to dehydrate the l:Jat(hes in the
state they were, after testing the methDd on the smaller pieces. However, I
am leaving the 'Golen Oyster. With materials' batch to grow for another 14
days as an example of what could go wrong for my fi11al project presentation.

lt will not be opened. only observed thro1.1gh the plastic bag for this period.
ttlen deilydrahed at 90 C
- The cru~ial importance of sterile conditions has been clerly demonstrated
~hrough this pirototype and will be a point of spec1fic caution in the future!

AppendixS: Experiment No.2 Petri Dishes with Materials

9,1 Objective
The Pelri Dish S.ample Experiment
Oil"t''$ to t~st lh~ svitQbility of thr~e

lvoesof subsfra~e. ofld the reaction
myce~um grown from one ot
the wlth 6 lyoo~ of bulldlng material~.

ot the

This, wollld help lo determine the be:st

gmwing medium and' reoclijon with o
bllilding material. ldoony t11e mo~t
suilable medium would be tested

fhl. bvl

~CrOV$$

or lime OOn$lrCJinl$

a ,research. supported hypalhesi:S Is
constructed to predict the best
~ubstrole type,

9.2 Time Spon
Experiment Skirted: I.S/01/2013
Growlh Started: 18/02/2013
Ob$ervotion 1: 22/ o212o13
Obsrevation 2; 26/ 02/ 2013
Ohsetvation 3: 01 / 03/ 2013
Conclusions: o1/03/20l3

9.3Metnod
Throo subs trots rnedio were
identi~ed o~ po~e11liaDy s.uita~e:

Rye groins from o mushl'oom
:lmwing kit t I ]
Glucose-based nulrienl mix. (2}

Pina woodchl~ (3]
Six Mah~Iiat5 were idenl ifiied to be
mixed wm-. pine woodchlp S.1Jbst,rate.
AltJminium (4]

Copper (51
Timber ,(6)

Bi'ick{:l)
Concr,e le ~ight (8)
Concrala Haov~ (9l
From these 12 combinat ions were
prepared for the experiment using
two types of substrate :

2.8 g Pine Woodchips "' 3. 3 g

PD1

Coppe~

2.8- g Pine Woodchips + 1,8 g

PD2

Aliminium
PD3 20,8 !J Pine Woodchips + 2.4 g
PD4
PD5

1
rnber
:2.8 g Pine Woodchip$ + 10.7 g Brtck

Rubble
2,8 g Ptrle Wood chips+ 10.3 g
bte<~VY Concre

e Rubble
2.6 g P"1r1e Woodchips + 1o, 4 g

PD6
PD7
PD8

Light Concrete Rubble
2,8 g Pine Woodchip~ + 1,3 g P'opet
4,0 g Rye Graln -t- I ,-4 g Proo
Woodchipz,

PD9
PD 1o
PD11
PD12

:8.0 Q Rye Groin
2.8 g Pfrle Wood chips
Glucose &lbstrate with 2 g Concrete
Glucose &lbstrate

~
8

r1:1111

T

The subslrales were s1ellllsed 111 an auloclcwe

going up to 162 c for 50 minutes. This wos

done simultaneously in ~ autoclave units.
!13)

~

~-----

''
The prspored mixtures were left to cool

down ot room

The prepared inocu]aled sompte~ we~e·

move-d loo 2S C Qi-conditroner con1 rol~d
room, with 24 h lighting, In o covered, nol
sealed. plaslic box 116)

4 ('lllys tlltG-r, on 22/02/20 13, l·he

~xperiment

wos omerved and the following findings
were mode:

PO?
PD8
PD9
PD10
PD11
PD12

Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
2% Cola nised
Not Colonised
90%Co Ionised
2% Cola nised

(17)
(18)

(19)
(20)
(21)

-~,...

--;..

~mpere~lvr~.

The petl1 dimes were prepared using:
3g Dis1illed Wotet + L5g G enoderrl"'I
Lucidum Spores. (H) . (1 51

PD1
PD2
PD3
PD4
PDS
PD6

'

11


a day!> later. on 24/02/2013. lih e pelri dishes
were obsreved ond lhe colonisclion
progress was noted os s.uch:
PDl
PD'2
PD3

pl).4
PD-5
PD'
PD7

PD:S
pl)r
f

PD10

PD11
PD12

Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
:m. Coloni$ed
5% Colonised
Not Colonised
l<:Jret Colonised
5% Colonised

~24j

(23j
(24)
(25)
(26)
(27)

(28)
(29)
(30)
(31)

T

1A days later. on 01/03/'101 3. the petri dishes
were obsreved and lh.e colonisation
progress wos noted os such;

PDl
PD2
PD3
PD4

PDS
PD6
PD7
PDa
PD9
PDl 0

PDll
PDl2

Not Colonised
Not Colonised
Nol Colonised
Not Colonised
Nol Colonised
Not Colonised
Not Colonised
6% eoron~ed
20% Colonised
Not Colonised
l<Jem Colonised
Contomiooled
20% Colonise-d

(32)
(33)

(34)
135)
(36)
(37)
(38)
(39)

(40)

(41)

9A .Conclusions:
l_ The pelri d ishe~ which relied on
woodchip :subslrale have not been
colonised. This was nol ~peeled and the
reason must be inve-stigated.
2. The rye grains ore a suitable
s.Jbstrate tor I he growth of Genooerrno
k.Jcidum_
3_ The glucose-based substrole is
suitable lor lhe growll1 of Genoderma
lucidum.
4. Cellulose. paper. showed no ~igns
of colonisation. opposite to expectations.
The rxoblem identified is the vse of
woodchjps with il.
5. R'ye g~ains mix:ed with woodchips
showed much slower cooni~ation.
6. The contamination or lhe
coli"'cfEHe piece PDlll can either be dve to
exposure to spores during oreviuo~
observation~ or during, the sel up of the
experiment_
7. The concrete piece was

compleleky engulfed by the mycelium ond
FOntafned wllhlng a tight ne1work. No signs
br the myce~um entering lt1e concrete
were observed. H1ou. For such effecl
onolher :specie~ fovnd Qll1 concrete i~ to be
identified and used.

IJIII11

T
AppendixiD: Experiment No.3 Jars with Sawdust Substrate
and Different Materials as a Test for Brick Growth
10 .1 Objective
The Protolype Growth Experiment
aims to grow seven lypes of fungol
moterio1s based on plne woodchlp

s.umtrote
10.2 Time Span
Experiment S.1arled: 18/0112013
Growth Started: 18102/2013
Obs.etValion 1:

Obsrevolion 2:
Obs.ervolion 3:

ConctLJSions.: 01/03!2013
1o.3 Method
One sub~lrato medic wcs idenlilied
as potenti.olly fhe most suilcble from
th@ ororelfl'i1itntioned sui:)Strote media
(I):
Pine Woodchi~ [P. w .)
S.oorce: PetShop SIJpplies.
WhitfOioble Rood, Canterbury.
Chemiccl Treolmenl: None.

s.ore ror hvm<Jns and onymols.
LOcCIIy ~urced.
Timber Prodllds:

plank.s of stancJaJd

sizes la vooou:~. purpos.es..
A

Mixlur~

ol woodchoip$. Qnd' WliiQr

wos mode in using c 10:64 rotio.
lolol hydrate-d subslrole produced:
150g Pine woodchip:s • 960 rnl water

=1210 g s~bsh' ale.

Nine jar samples were prepc.ed;
202g Aluminium"" 100 g P.W. 12)
200 g Copper+ IOOg F'.W. {3)

205 g limber + 100 g P.W. 1
·4)

200 g Brick Rubble+ lOO g f' .W. {5)
:204 g Light Concrete +lOO g f.W. (6}
201 g Heovy Concrele + 100 g P'.W.{7J
IO)g P_w_ x3 fSI
These wf:fe sternliSed tor 50 minutes in
2 aulodave Ullits, reaching
tempre1 arure of 162 C. (91 Then left
to cool oown al rootn temoreroture
tor 120 min .

tS ml G-cnodermo l.ueidum Spores
were injected in each Jar .Somple ( 101

..

., ,

T

Date; 22/0212013
P~n€ Woodchip!> 1: No signs. of growth. (2~]
Pdne Woodchips2: No :signs of growth. f22]
Pine Woodchips3: No ~igns or growth. (23)
P.W. ,.. Aluminium: No signs o1 growth. l2.<11
P.W."'" Copper: No signs of growth. (25)
P.W. + fimb« Blocks,: No $igns of growHl. 126)
P.W. + 81iCt: li'ubbl~: NO sigrlS Of growth. (27)
P.W. + Lighweight Concrete Rubble: Mo

signs or growl h. {28}

P.W. 1' Heovywe[gl1~ Concrete Rubble: No
signs oi growth. ~2'9}

The samples. were lelt In lhe same
cond"lions of 25 C temperaii.Ke. (30)

, "';

.

~ ·-~~-

~ t

I

.·

.,: j

29)


Date : 26/ 02/ 2013
Pine Wood chip s1: No signs of growth . (31)
Pine Woodchips2 : No signs of growth . (32)
Pine Woodchips3 : No signs of growth. (33)
P.W . +A luminium: No signs of growth . (34)
P.W. +Copper: No signs of growth. (35)
P.W . +limb er Blocks: No signs of growth . (36)
P.W . +Brick Rubble : No signs of growth . (37)
P.W . + Lighweight Concrete Rubble : No
signsof growth . (38)
P.W. +Heavyweight Concrete Rubble : No
signsof growth. (39)

The sampleswere left in the same
conditions of 25 C temperature for another
seven day period. (40)

T

1 ote: 01/03/2013
0
Pine Woodchips. 1; No signs of growl h. [41)
Pine Woodchips2: o ~igns of grow h. (42)
Pine Woodchips3: No signs of growl h. (43)
P.W. + AJumini.um: No signs ot growth. 144)
P.W. +Copper: No signs, of growltl. (4!5)
P,W, +Timber Blocks,: No signs of growth, (461
P.W. + &fck Rubble: No signs of gowlh. {47)
P.W. + Lighwe1ghl Concrete Rubble: No
signs. of growl h. (48)
P.W. +- Heavyweight Concrete Rubt>le: No
sign~ of growth. (49)

10.4. ConculsJon
The dispoinling results were assume-d lo be
due to lhe possible treatment of l~e pine
woodchip~ with cherni'Cols wllich prevent
funga1 growlh.
To check lhe vCJiidily of this hypo hesis, I

con acted the Whltstoble Rood Pets.hop
1501 on 28/02/2013 at 14:3(] on phooe
number01227769329. The IJiendly
shopk:eepet" ogreed to contoct H1~ir
woodchip supplier "With the fol!owing
questions on my behalf:

1. Has he timber been lreCJ ted vvll h any
chemicals I hat prevent fungal and bacteria
growth!
'2- What kind of tree species. it the limber
sourced from~
.3. What does the company prodtJCe o.s a
final product?
4. What is the name ol the company?
5. Where is the timber sourced from'?

The folowing day 01/03/20131 contacted
lhem at 16:30 to retrieve the amwers:
1. 'No. The lody was quite definile on that.
She ~eei'r'led r'ea11y ptood I hat lheit plonks
ore absolutely untl"eCJ led.
1. 2.Pine.
3. Standord ~;zes ot wooden plonks for
multiple purpose!>.
4. There isn's a specific name . Difterenl
suppliers and cfients.
5. Different sources acr~s the UK.

10.5·. Analy~is end Fl esearch
According to addilional re!>Barch on the use
ol pine woodchlips CIS a substrale;
1. Spore Works
http :t/sporeworks .com/Ganodermo-ll!cidu
m-Reisl1i-Ling-CN-Mu~llroom-CuUure-Syringe.

hlml

To every lOO parts hard wood sawdust/sma I
woodchips should be added 10 parts. bran

1!1111


2. Acceding to Collins Complete Guide lo
British Mushrooms and Toadstools (2009,:
Ganodemia Lucidum. Lacquered Elrad::el.

(41)
A111nual Ganoderma whose distinct stem
can be relatively long YA1en lhe s-ubstrata
on wt1ich it grows is bi.Kied wood.
Frui~ 6ody: lo 25cm across; kidney-shoped
bracket "With a lalerol :stem and a thic'k.
irregular margin.
Upper surface; Uneven and concentrically
grooved with a smooth. poliched surface:
redd'ish broiM'. becoming dork-pvrple
brown .

Stem: Dark Brown or blacki:sh with a glossy

surface.
Unde.rslde; While or cream fine, rounded
pores that become browner..
Hobilot: Roots and stvmps of deciduoos
tre-e5: rarely witlh conifet"5StollJs: Wides.preod but occosronal.

According to an online dictionary:
'Noun. 1. corliferous. tfee - orw
gymnospermous lree or sl'lrub beoring
cones
conifer
pine, pine tree. true pine- a coniferous

tree'.
Therefore I have assumed wro.ng lhal
Genoderma Lucjdum would have grown on
Pine woodchips.

Propo~>al far the fu ture:

{lJ l?ya Seed$. L>13ica 10446261 0.63:>:. Surtoce 1.
Mognilute Setting 0.8. Expos.ure: 30.2 ms

Better ~uited fungal type5 con be used in
the feo lue if lhe jars are reautoclaved.
Provided thal there is ~oli"d proof the lype

gows on. pJne sawd~t , !he expetirne-n.l
sl1ould be a s<uccess.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sawdust Substrate
rick Growth

11. 1 ObjeC"Iive
The aim of tflese observotions fS to
determine Whether I have rucce@'ded at

growing o plre hmgallype. how it reocls to
differenl buildin9 materials; and la explore
it's strvcture on a micro scale.

11.2 Mell'lod and Images
Five samples will be observed and analysed:
Rye Grairn Sam~e
Glucose-Based Subs Irate Sample

Glucose-Brne Su~lrate wil h ConcreteS.
Woodch~Jjs and Concrete Sample
Dehydro1ad ccovotiva Product

12) Rye Seeds. Leico 1044-6261 0.6~. S1.1rtace 1.
Mognitvte Setting 0-S. Exposur-e: :x>.2 m~

T

(3) Rye Seeds. Leica 10446261 0.63x. &.irface 1.
Magnitute Seeting 0.8. Exposure: 30 .2 ms

(3) Rye Seeds. Leica 10446261 0.63x. &.irface 1.
Magn itute Seeting 0.8. Exposure : 30 .2 ms

IJ:W111


(3] Rye S~dt. Leico 10446261 0.6-~.x ..Svrfoce 1.
Mog11itute Setlii"'Q 0.8. Expos.ure: 30.2 ms

13l

Rye S.eern . Lek:o 10.4462t, I 0.6.3x. Surface 1.

Mogni~vl<£~

Selling O.a.. ExPOsure: 30.'2 ms.

T

(7) Rye S.ee-ds. l.eico 10446261 0.63A. Svrfat;e I,
Mognilule Selfi•lg 0.8. Exposure: 30.2 ms.

(BI Rye Seeds. leica l 044b261 0.63)(_Surface I.

MQgnilvle Setting 1.6. Expo-sure: 41 .5 ms

11:1111


(3) Rye- Seec::l5-. Leico I 0446261 0.63x. Svrf~e l.
•
MogllitutaSeating 0.8. E.JIIposure: 30.2 ms

(3~

Rye Seed~. leicc I 044b2t:.l 0.63x_ Surface L

Magnituhll Se-eting 1.6-.

Expowr~;

.s m~

41 .

T

( 11) Rye See-ds. Lerco 1044.6261

Mognilu!tt Selling 8.0.

!12)

~ye

Q_e.J):_ sunoc:e
ExPO!iVn:~; 112.7 ms.

I.

Seed'!.. leicc 10446261 O.b3x.. Surlcce I.

Mognilv le s-a. tting S.O. E.xpowre: 112.7 rns


(13j Rye Seects . Leieo

(14) Rye

Seed~.

T

(15j Gonoderi"T''.CC ueudim on glucos.e-bossct substrote . Perifel)'~eico

10446261 0.63x Mognitvde Setting;

O.a Exl>)~vre: 26.9 m~

115] Gonoderrno Lucud·m on glucose-bmad subslrate . .
Perilery.
H)44~261 0.63x Mo:gnih.J<:;ie s- tting: 1.6. l;po$~Jre: 36.0 ms

l~it ico

,,..,


(17) Gor.odermo Lueudim 01"1

glueose-bo~d ~ubstrote.

Perifery.

Leic;o I0446261 0.63x Mognilude Selling; S.OExiPowr~; 45.9 mJ

{ 181 Ganodwmo Lucudim or~ glucose·bmad ~ub!>trota. Perifery.
Leico 10~46261 0.1.3-x; Mogn it ~.Jde S~Uing: 8.0. Exp~IJr~: 95.3 m:;

T

(19) Gonoderi"T''.CC ueudim on glucose-bossd substrote . Perifel)'~eico

10446261

1201 Gonoderrno Lucud-m on gluco~e-boo:ed subslrate . .Pafilery.
l~it ico


(21, Go 1'0d.mmo lucudim 011 glu<::OS€!-bosed substrate. Jnlerior pulfbc:llls.

lleiorJI I 0446261 0.63x. MognitiJcle Setlil'lQ: 0.8. ExP~IJie: 19.0 ms

(22} Goooderma turudlm oo gluc~e-l)osecl sub61rate. lnlerior puffbolls.
I 0446261 O.Q:»:. MognitiJde Setting,: 3-2- Expo.sure: 3 1.1 m.s;

ll~ico

T

(23) Gonoderi"T''.CC ueudim on glucose-bossd sub.strote. Interior purlbolls.
~eico 10446261 0.63x. Mo~;mih.Jde Setting; 8.0, Exposvre; 90.8 ms

(24J Ga.lod'e rmo lucudim on glucos.a-brned subs1rote. With Concrete
Rvbb1 . CQOiominoted. Lt?ic;:o 10446'261 0.$3x:. MQgniih,Jde Setting: CLS.

111111


(24) Ganoderma lucudim on [Jiuco~ · based sub!;lrate. Wilh Concrete
Rll.ibble. Conlominoled. Leico 10446261 0.63x. Magnitude Setl'ing: 1.6
Expo~ure:.

50.6

t25J Gonodermo lucudim on gluc:os.a-bmed o;ubslrala. WiH1 Concrete
·. Conlominoled.l~k;o 104.d.Q261 O.Q.3x. Magnih,J(;ie S~tting: 3.?

R~~Jbbl

T

(26) Ganoderma lucidum on glucm.e·bmed subslrole. Wilh Concrete
!Rubble. Conlorninoled. leico 1044626 1 0.63x. Magnitude Se1ting: S.O
&:xpQwre: 50.6

(27J Ga.lod'e rmo lucidum on glucos.a-brned subs1role. With Concrete
Rvbb1 . Conlominoted. Lt?ic;:o 10446'261 0.$3x:. MQgniih,Jde Setting: 8.0


(28) Gmmdermo Lucidum on gluoo~e ·bmed sub;lrat.e. With Concrele

Rubble.

Con~aminated.leico

('29) Go odermo Lucidum on grucose-bosoo su~)5.frote. WiU1 Con ere le
Rl.lbbl€- Con~ominot<'!d-lei.co

T

(30l Ganocl'e rma luddum on Concrete aoo Pine Woodchips.
Leil<o 1()446261 0.63x. MegniiJde Ss ting 0.8. Exposure: 29.6

(31) Gonod'ermo lucidum on Concrete ooo Pine Woodchips.
eiiqo 104.t6261 '0.63x. Mognitvde Seiting 3.2. Cxp0$1)re: 50.~

.,..•,


[32l Ganoderrna lucidum on Concrete and Pine Woodchip:s.
leika 1044~261 0.63x. Mognitvdo Selfng 5.0. E:qJosJre : 69.6

[33J Gonodermo LucidJm on Concra1e one! Pine Wooclchips.
Leik:o ],044.6261 0.63x. MagniM;!e S€1t'ng B.O. E.x;poSJre: 110..$

T

(34] Ecovo1ive Somple. l .e o 1
044!6261 0.~3.'1. MCIQnitude Set·tinQ 0.8.
ExpoSiure: 19.9

(35l Ecovolive Sampla. Leilco 10446261 0.63x. Magnitude Sailing 1.6.
Expo$vre : 4 I .6


(34) Ecovotive Scnnple. leiko 10446261 O.. o3x. Mognih.r<:le S-etting 5.0.
Exposure: 53.2 nlll

[37] Ecovotiva Sompla. Leiko 104.116261 0.63x. Magnitude SeUing 8.0.

Expo!>IJI"e: 1 1.4.7 ms

111111

T
Appendixl2: Study of Fungal Species. Source Stamets(IS83).
Names and Images Mycelial
Pea sons for S:udy
Characteristics
Genoderma
lucidum
/Reishi/

Extremely strong
mycelium web.
Used by Phil Ross
for the creation of
his arch exhibit in
Stuttgart.
Eventually chosen
for my experiments
2 and 3.

&Jbstrate
Medium

Growth
Conditions

Use and
Availability

Longitudinally
radial, non-aerial,
initially white, rapid
growing, becoming
densely matted &
oppressed, yellow
to golden brown,
and often zonate
with age.

Agar Cultured
Media: Malt Extract
Agar (MEA),
Oatmeal Yeast
Agar (OMYA),
Potato Dextrose
Yeast Agar (PDYA),
or Dog Food Agar
(DFA).

Medical use in the
form of infused hot
drinks made from
the dehydrated
Reishi .

A 1cm. square
inoculum colonizes
a 100x15 mm . petri
plate in 7-1 0 days
at 24* C.

Spawn Media : Rye
grain, wheat grain,
other cereal grains.
Fruit bodies do not
form on most grains
except milo.

Spawn Run:
Incubation
Temperature:
21-27*C
Relative Humidity:
95-100%
Duration :
10-20 days
C02: Tolerated up
to 50,000 ppm or
5%
Fresh Air
Exchanges: 0-1
Light Requirements :
n/a

After a petri plate is
colonized (2 weeks
from inoculation),
the mycelium
becomes difficult
to cut and typically
tears during
transfer.
Culture slants can
be stored for
periods of 5 years
at 1-2* C.

Pleurotus
citrinopileatus
/Golden Oyster/

Cottony, whitish
mycelium, often
with tufts of dense
growth, sometimes
with yellowish
tones, and occasionally run through
with underlying rhizomorphic strands.

Substrates for
Fruiting: Indoors
on hardwood
sawdust/chips. 5%
supplementation
of the sawdust
with rice bran or
sorghum enhances
yields.
NOTE: prefers
deciduous tree
soecies. Rarely
grows on connifiers.
Agar Culture
Media: Malt Yeast
Agar (MY A) or
Potato Dextrose
Yeast Agar (PDYA) .
Spawn Media: Rye,
wheat, sorghum,
milo, or millet.

Substrate for
Fruiting: Pasteurized
wheat, cottonseed
Spawn available.
hulls, chopped
Colonization of bulk corn cobs, and
Used in experiment substrates at first
hardwood
1. Potential use for
wispy, only
sawdusts.
further experiments. becoming dense
well after
Prefers cottonseed
Dismissed as too
colonization .
hulls.
difficult to grow.
Casts a much finer
mycelial mat at first
on wheat or straw.
Mycelium is dense
on grain .

Primordia
Formation:
Initiation
Temperature:
18-24* c
Relative Humidity:
95-100%
Duration :
14-28 days
C02:
20,000-40,000 ppm
Fresh Air
Exchanges: 0-1
4-8 hours at 200-500
lux
Spawn Run:
Incubation
Temperature:
24-29* c
Relative Humidity:
90-100%
Duration:
10-14 days
C02: 5000-20,000
pp m
Fresh Air
Exchanges: 1-2 per
hour
Light Requirements:
n/a
Primordia
Formation:
Initiation
Temperature:
21-27*C
Relative Humidity:
98-100%
Duration: 3-5 days
C02: < 1000 pp m
Fresh Air
Exchanges: 4-8 per
hour
Light Requirements:
500-1 000 lux.

Associated with
royalty, health,
and recuperation,
longevity, sexual
prowess, wisdom,
and happiness
No specific
alergetic reactions
recorded .
Ancient Chinese,
Korean, and
Japanese origins.
Widely avaialable
in the world market
as a food
supplement and
for personal growth
from specialised
fungi stores.

Gourmet
edible
mushroom .
Widely sold on the
market.
Praised for its
golden calor and
beautiful stem-like
distrbution .
This mushroom is
better suited for
cultivation in
warmer climates of
Asia, the southern
United States, or
Mexico, or during
the summer months
in temperate
regions .


Names and Images Mycelial
Feasons for S:udy
Characteristics

&Jbstrate
Medium

Growth
Conditions

Use and
Availability

Stropharia
rugosa-annulata
/Wine Cap/

Spawn Media:
Rye grain or
chopped wheat
straw.

Spawn Run:
Incubation
Temperature: 2428* c
Relative Humidity:
90+%
Duration:
14-28 days
C02:
5000-1 0 000 ppm
Fresh Air
Exchanges: 0
n/a

Edible mushroom,
widely cultivated.

Rhizomorphic to
closely linear.
Whitish in color.
Does not colonize
substrate as quickly
as Pleurotus
ostreatus for
example.

Naturally occurs on
straw.

Has been grown
on a substarte of
alder/ maple chips
mixed with mature
horse manure using
natural culture
techniques.

Potential use for
further experiments
with straw-bale and
hemp substrates.

Pleurotus
ostreatus
/Oyster/

Fast growing
rhizomorphic to
linear mycelium.

European strain
ATCC's- 38546

Color typically
whitish.
In age forming a
thick, tenacious
mycelial mat.

Grows on a
varietstraw s
ubstrates; and
many other
cellulosic
substrates.
Mycelium colonises
rapidly.
Dismissed because
of allergic reaction
reports.

Substrates for
Fruiting :
Cased wheat
straw, chopped or
whole, and balanced to 71-74%
moisture content.

Agar Culture
Media:
Malt Yeast
Peptone Agar
{MYPA), Potato
Dextrose Yeast
Agar {PDYA),
Oatmeal Yeast
Agar {OMYA), or
Dogfood Agar
{DFA). Optimal
growth seen at pH
5.5-6.5.
Spawn Media:
Rye, wheat, milo,
sorghum, corn
and millet.
Substrate for
Fruiting : Straw
(wheat. rye, oat,
rice, and barley
straw) ; corn stalks,
cotton waste
and cottonseed
hulls; hardwood
sawdusts; pater
by-products and
many others.

Primordia
Formation:
Temperature:
12-16* c
Relative Humidity:
95+%
Duration:
10-12 days
C02:
<1000 ppm
Fresh Air
Exchanges: 2-4
Indirect sunlight or
grow fluorecent
12hrs/day
Spawn Run:
Incubation
Temperature:
25-29* c
/Thermal death 48
hours at 40* Cl
Relative Humidity:
90-100%
Duration: 10-14
days
C02: 20,000 ppm
Fresh Air
Exchanges:
0 per hour
Total darkness
Pinhead
Initiation:
Temperature:
13-16*C
Relative Humidity:
95%
Duration: 7-14 days
C02: <600 ppm
Fresh Air
Exchanges:
4 per hour
Diffused natural OR
2000 lux for 12hrs/d

Very common.
Found Europe and
widely distributed
in northern North
America . Season
June-October.
Has been grown in
Europe in outdoor
cold frames.
Found in
woodlands.
Also known to
purify/filter highly
contaminated
water.
Used in straw-bale
gardening to
transform straw
bale into fruitful soil.

Edible
Cultivated
commercially.
Wood composting
Saprophytic
Parasitic
Primary
decomposter
Grows on fallen
adler, cotton wood
and maple.
Fruits in fall. early
winter and spring .
NOTE: Due to its
numerous spores it
can infect
surrounding
woodlands.
Reorted allergic
reactions among
workers in
mushroom farms .

..

., ,

T
Appendixl3: Glossary

lignicolous
Growing in wood or on a
substratum composed of woody tissue.

agar
A product derived from seaweed
and valued for its gelatinizing properties. Commonly
used to solidify media in any type of sterile tissue
culture.

meiosis
The process of reductiondivision by
which a single cell with a diploid nucleous
subdivides into four cells with one haploid nucleous.

autoclave
sterilize media.

A steam pressurized vessel used to

mycelium

campanulate

Bell shaped .

parasite
An organism living on another living
species and deriving its sustenance to the detriment
of the host.

carpophore

The fruiting body of a higher fungi.
pileus

casing
A layer of water retentive materials
applied to a substrate to encourage and enhance
fruiting body production.

cespitose
Growing clustered, appearing to
arise from a single base .

compost
A biological matrix of
microorganisms combined with straw, manure and
other organic substances and designed for
mushroom fruitbody production .
context

The flesh of a mushroom .

coprophilous

Growing on dung .

Microscopic sterile cells adorning
cystidia
the mushroom fruitbody.

fibrous

Composed of tough, stringy tissue .

filamentous
like cells.

Composed of hyphae or thread-

flush
The collective formation and
development of mushrooms within a short period,
often occuring in a rhytmic manner.

A network of hyphae.

The mushroom cap .

primordium
The first recognizable but undifferentiated mass of hyphae that develops into a
mushroom fruitbody. Synonymous with 'pindead' .

rhizomorphs

Cord-like or strand-like hyphae.

rhizo morphs

Cord-like or strand-like hyphae.

spawn
The aggregation of mycelium on
a carrier material which is usually used to inoculate
prepared substrates.

The reproductive cells or 'seeds' of
spores
fungi, bacteria, and plants.

strain
A race of individuals within a
species sharing a common genetic heritage but
differing in some observable features of no
taxonic significance.
stroma
A dense, cushion-like aggregation
of mycelium forming on the surface of composts or
casings and indicative of somatic (vegetative), not
generative growth.
substarte
Straw, sawdust, compost, soil, or
any fibrous material on which mushrooms grow.

fructification

The act of fruitbody formation.

terrestial

Growing on the ground .

humicolous

Growing in humus, soil.

veil
they develop.

A tissue covering mushrooms as

hypha, hyphae

Individual cells of mycelium.

hyphal aggregate
A concentration of
mycelium; a 'knot' in the mycelial network which
often differentiates into a primordium.

Notes:

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