Abstract: This application relates to a method for growing aerial mycelium with a defined growth pattern and products of aerial mycelium materials with defined growth patterns based on controlled inoculation and either pasteurization or sterilization of a substrate in situ at the same select physical location. For example, a defined growth pattern can include a homogeneous growth topology or a geometrically regular pattern of bulbous forms, prompted by a defined geometrically regular inoculation of pasteurized or sterilized substrate from which the aerial mycelium is grown.

Abstract: This application relates generally to aerial mycelium and methods of making aerial mycelium suitable for use as a food or textile product or ingredient. The aerial mycelium can be grown using a growth matrix provided into a growth environment and introducing aqueous mist into the growth environment. The aqueous mist has a mean mist deposition rate to allow for aerial mycelial growth from the growth matrix.

Abstract: A method of growing an extra-particle aerial mycelium employs electrostatically charged mist to control mist deposition uniformity in a growth environment, and on a growth matrix (or growing extra-particle aerial mycelium on a growth matrix) comprising nutritive substrate and a fungus in a growth environment with a predetermined environment of humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Control of mist deposition by electrostatically charging mist allows for control of the morphology and uniformity of the extra-particle aerial mycelium produced, independent of airflow uniformity, growth environment size, and structural obstacles that may be present within a growth environment. Control of mist deposition by electrostatically charging mist also offers the potential for targeted mist application where it might be needed most for fungal organism growth.

Abstract: Methods of cultivation of aerial mycelium (from extra-particle aerial mycelial growth), with improved growth medium compositions and environmental conditions are described herein. The methods and growth medium compositions provide a scalable method of culturing extra-particle aerial mycelium, and ultimately aerial mycelium, that satisfies a plurality of material properties for a variety of mycelium-based end products.

Abstract: This application relates to a method for growing aerial mycelium with a regular growth pattern and products of aerial mycelium biopolymers with regular growth patterns. For example, a regular growth pattern can include a homogeneous growth topology or a geometrically regular pattern of bulbous forms. As further examples, the method for affecting growth topology can include controlling environmental conditions or using a topology adjustment layer.

Abstract: The invention describes a methodology for production of a secondary extra-particle fungal matrix for application as a mycological material, manufactured via a Type II actively aerated static packed-bed bioreactor. A pre-conditioned air stream is passed through a substrate of discrete elements inoculated with a filamentous fungus to form an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix between the discrete elements. Continued feeding of the air through the substrate of discrete elements and isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrixes develops an extra-particle hyphal matrix that extends from an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix in the direction of airflow into a void space within the vessel.

Abstract: The process for producing mycelium biomaterial provides fresh oxygen to the growing mycelium biomaterial while removing waste heat and waste carbon dioxide by forced aeration through large volumes of material. In a first phase of fungal expansion, humidified air at a programmed temperature is passed upwardly and through a fungal inoculated substrate of discrete particles to allow the fungal inoculum to expand and dominate the substrate. Nutrient is added to the inoculated mixture and a second phase of fungal expansion is performed wherein humidified air at a programmed temperature is passed upwardly and through the nutrient enriched fungal inoculated substrate to allow the fungal inoculum to bond the discrete particles into a self-supporting biocomposite. The process and apparatus of the invention allows for the processing of grown materials bound by mycelium at depths of greater than 6? and particularly in the range of from 24? to 28?.

Abstract: This application relates generally to aerial mycelium and methods of making aerial mycelium suitable for use as a food or textile product or ingredient. Such a food product or ingredient can include edible aerial mycelium having a texture that is analogous to a whole-muscle meat product, such as for example mycelium-based bacon. Such a textile product or ingredient can be used in the manufacture of mycelium-based textile products, leather-like materials, petroleum-based product alternatives, or foams.

Abstract: An improved mycelium in the form of an edible aerial mycelium that is suitable for use as a food product, including a food ingredient for making mycelium-based food, such as bacon. A method of making an edible aerial mycelium suitable for use as a food product, including a food ingredient. An edible product containing an edible aerial mycelium, and a method of making an edible product comprising an edible aerial mycelium, such as a mycelium-based bacon. A mycelium-based food product having a texture that is analogous to a whole-muscle meat product, wherein that whole-muscle meat product is bacon.

Abstract: The invention describes a methodology for production of a secondary extra-particle fungal matrix for application as a mycological material, manufactured via a Type II actively aerated static packed-bed bioreactor. A pre-conditioned air stream is passed through a substrate of discrete elements inoculated with a filamentous fungus to form an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix between the discrete elements. Continued feeding of the air through the substrate of discrete elements and isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrixes develops an extra-particle hyphal matrix that extends from an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix in the direction of airflow into a void space within the vessel.

Abstract: The process for producing mycelium biomaterial provides fresh oxygen to the growing mycelium biomaterial while removing waste heat and waste carbon dioxide by forced aeration through large volumes of material. In a first phase of fungal expansion, humidified air at a programmed temperature is passed upwardly and through a fungal inoculated substrate of discrete particles to allow the fungal inoculum to expand and dominate the substrate. Nutrient is added to the inoculated mixture and a second phase of fungal expansion is performed wherein humidified air at a programmed temperature is passed upwardly and through the nutrient enriched fungal inoculated substrate to allow the fungal inoculum to bond the discrete particles into a self-supporting biocomposite. The process and apparatus of the invention allows for the processing of grown materials bound by mycelium at depths of greater than 6? and particularly in the range of from 24? to 28?.

Abstract: The invention describes a methodology for production of a secondary extra-particle fungal matrix for application as a mycological material, manufactured via a Type II actively aerated static packed-bed bioreactor. A pre-conditioned air stream is passed through a substrate of discrete elements inoculated with a filamentous fungus to form an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix between the discrete elements. Continued feeding of the air through the substrate of discrete elements and isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrixes develops an extra-particle hyphal matrix that extends from an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix in the direction of airflow into a void space within the vessel.

Abstract: The mycelial foam contains macroscopic void spaces that are formed by filler elements, such as agar beads, that are incorporated in the mycelial matrix during growth of the matrix and are removed from the matrix after growth in a non-destructive manner, such as by heating. The foam may be made of pure mycelium or may be a composite biomaterial.

Abstract: The process for producing mycelium biomaterial provides two phases of incubation. In a first phase of fungal expansion, the fungal inoculum is allowed to expand and dominate the substrate. In a second phase, nutrient is added to the inoculated mixture to allow the fungal inoculum to bond the discrete particles into a self-supporting biocomposite. The process allows for the processing of grown materials in separate vessels with the second vessel providing the final shape of the biomaterial.

Abstract: The process for producing mycelium biomaterial provides fresh oxygen to the growing mycelium biomaterial while removing waste heat and waste carbon dioxide by forced aeration through large volumes of material. In a first phase of fungal expansion, humidified air at a programmed temperature is passed upwardly and through a fungal inoculated substrate of discrete particles to allow the fungal inoculum to expand and dominate the substrate. Nutrient is added to the inoculated mixture and a second phase of fungal expansion is performed wherein humidified air at a programmed temperature is passed upwardly and through the nutrient enriched fungal inoculated substrate to allow the fungal inoculum to bond the discrete particles into a self-supporting biocomposite. The process and apparatus of the invention allows for the processing of grown materials bound by mycelium at depths of greater than 6? and particularly in the range of from 24? to 28?.

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 process for the production of a chlamydospore rich slurry inoculum begins with a substrate colonized with a desired Basidiomycete fungus capable of producing chlamydospores during vegetative growth. The colonized substrate is treated to increase the chlamydospore production and content in said spawn and thereafter combined with water at rate of at least 1:6 spawn:water to obtain a slurry inoculum. The inoculum may then be agitated to populate a water fraction with chlamydospores or macerated to homogenously distribute the chlamydospores.

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.