Abstract: The mat is formed of a saprophytic fungal strain and/or budding yeast, and a mass of particles wherein the fungus is characterized in producing an enzyme capable of breaking down polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In a second embodiment, a mass of pellets is made from the mat for use in absorbing liquid animal waste.

Abstract: The composite material is comprised of a substrate of discrete particles and a network of interconnected mycelia cells bonding the discrete particles together. The composite material is a made by inoculating a substrate of discrete particles and a nutrient material with a preselected fungus. The fungus digests the nutrient material over a period of time sufficient to grow hyphae and to allow the hyphae to form a network of interconnected mycelia cells through and around the discrete particles thereby bonding the discrete particles together to form a self-supporting composite material. In another embodiment, the fungus is allowed to grow as a fruiting body out of the substrate and within an enclosure to completely fill the enclosure to form a self-supporting structure.

Abstract: A method of producing an absorbent biocompatible material which comprises mixing at least one mycological material, such as a fungus or fungal tissue, with at least one lignocellulosic material to provide a biocomposite material comprising the at least one mycological material and the at least one lignocellulosic material. The biocomposite material then is contacted with at least one substance that increases the hydrophilicity of the biocomposite material, thereby providing an absorbent biocomposite material that has a variety of uses, such as absorbent materials for use in vegetation propagation and preservation, animal bedding, animal litter, filler in diapers, cold chain materials for temperature regulation, ice packs, absorbent foams and mats, such as decorative floral arrangement foams, carpet mats, and absorbent booms applied to chemical spills.

Abstract: The composite material is comprised of a substrate of discrete particles and a network of interconnected mycelia cells bonding the discrete particles together. The composite material is made by inoculating a substrate of discrete particles and a nutrient material with a preselected fungus. The fungus digests the nutrient material over a period of time sufficient to grow hyphae and to allow the hyphae to form a network of interconnected mycelia cells through and around the discrete particles thereby bonding the discrete particles together to form a self-supporting composite material. In another embodiment, the fungus is allowed to grow as a fruiting body out of the substrate and within an enclosure to completely fill the enclosure to form a self-supporting structure.

Abstract: The process provides a biofilm including and not limited to cellulose produced by bacteria that can be used as a bio-resin and as a surface application for myceliated and non-myceliated biomaterials. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of obtaining an agricultural substrate; and cohabitating a selected bacteria with a selected fungus in the agricultural substrate for a period of time to allow the bacteria to grow alongside the fungus and to excrete a biofilm from the bacteria into the substrate to provide bio-resin like strengthening compounds to the agricultural substrate.

Abstract: The method of growing the basidiomycete mycelium includes inoculating a substrate that promotes the growth and differentiation of basidiomycete mycelium without supporting the production of a basidiocarp with a vegetative mycelium and thereafter incubating the inoculated substrate in a first incubation period at controlled temperature, humidity, light and carbon dioxide levels followed by a finishing incubation period.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is comprised of a sheet of mycelium having a wiring pattern for an electrical circuit thereon. The sheet of mycelium is prepared from a solution of Potato Dextrose Broth and Potato Dextrose Agar that is inoculated with a macerated tissue culture including a filamentous fungi selected from the group consisting of Basidiomycota, Ascomycota and Zygomycota. A sheet of tissue that grows on the surface of the solution is extracted, plasticized and dried prior to being formed with the wiring pattern.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing the following tissue characteristics via environmental and chemical manipulation of the vegetative and fruiting phases of the Basidiomycete fungus Pycnoporus cinnabarinus: 1) Aerial vegetative mycelium pigmented with cinnabarinic acid; 2) Aerial vegetative mycelium without pigmentation; 3) A resupinate fruiting body pore surface pigmented with cinnabarinic acid; and 4) Thickened masses of vegetative aerial mycelium.

Abstract: The method of growing a fungal fruiting body requires exposing a mycelium of a desired organism type to environmental conditions sufficient to induce fruiting of fungal primordium in the organism type followed by enclosing the fungal primordium within a mold of a designated shape representing a near net shape volume of a desired final product. The fungal primordium is allowed to grow and fill the mold to form a mass of fungal tissue equivalent in shape to the designated shape of the mold after which the mass of fungal tissue is removed from the mold and dried.