Process and apparatus for sterile and/or partially sterile preparation, inoculation and bagging of mushroom substratum

• US 4,741,122 A
• Filed: 06/13/1986
• Issued: 05/03/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coopex Exportaru-Alapot Kutato Es Gyarto Kisszovetkezet Innovocoop Szakcsoport
• Original Assignee: Coopex/Innovocoop
• Inventors: Kopcsanyi, Magdolna, Major, Ferenc, Sunyovzsky, Kalman, Becsy, Marton, Bognar, Laszlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagwill, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US06/874,129
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 47/1.1, 71/5
• US Class Current: 47/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 18/20 Culture media, e.g. compost
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 18/30 Accessories for use before inoculation of spawn, e.g. sterilisers
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 18/50 Inoculation of spawn

Abstract

The process and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for sterile and/or partially sterile preparation, inoculation and bagging of mushroom substratum. The joint application of the process and apparatus enables the use of agricultural wastes and the production of substratum in reduced time so that the yield can be multipled compared with the practices known so far and the expenditures are lower than those known so far.

In the course of the process according to the invention dry straw and/or corn-cob are comminuted to the required size and admitted together with additive into a closed system. The material is treated with 90° C. hot water until 70% moisture content is reached in the first step, while it is continuously mixed, then it is sterilized by heating for 35 minutes. Next the material is cooled to 25° C. and the internal pressure of the apparatus is equalized to atmospheric pressure. This is followed by inoculation of the basic material from partially sterile chamber with inoculum of 1.5 mm grain size. After mixing for 5 minutes the so-prepared material is bagged in partially sterile space for the purpose of interweaving of cultivation, then it is sealed. The apparatus according to the invention is formed with a double walled cylindrical jacket of narrowing extension provided with lid, hermetically sealed and mixing worm is arranged in its centreline. The apparatus is provided with inlet and outlet valves and pipe system for the basic material, inoculum, steam water and air. During operation of the apparatus the mixing of the material is solved with bi-directional mixing while it is being sterilized and the inoculum ground.

The process and apparatus are capable to produce mushroom varieties of higher yield and more sought-after on the market and at a more favorable cost than those produced with the practice and efficiency known so far.

Claims

1. A process for the at least partially sterile preparation, inoculation, and packaging of substrate for mushroom growing, which comprises the steps of:

(a) comminuting a dry base material of straw and/or corn cob to a maximum particle size of 6 mm;

(b) mixing the comminuted base material with one or more organic and/or inorganic additives in a closed system;

(c) introducing hot water into the system so that the base material mixture attains a higher moisture content;

(d) introducing steam into the system for increasing the moisture content of the base material mixture;

(e) heating the closed system for sterilizing the basic material mixture;

(f) cooling the base material mixture to about ambient temperature while maintaining agitation thereof;

(g) equalizing the internal pressure of the closed system with the pressure outside of said syatem;

(h) introducing an inoculum from a sterile space into the system;

(i) mixing the base mixture with the inoculum; and

(j) transferring the resulting mixture from the at least partially sterile space into closed sterile storage for cultivation.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the additive is soya flour.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the moisture content of the base mixture is further increased by up to 7.5% by exposure to at least 110 degree centigrade steam for at least 15 minutes.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the base mixture is sterilized by exposure to at least 115 degrees centigrade steam for at lleast 35 minutes.

5. The process of claim 1. wherein the base mixture is cooled to at most 25 degrees centigrade.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the inoculum introduced into the closed system has a particle size of about 1.5 mm.

7. The process of claim 1, wharein the base mixture is mixed with the inoculum at a speed of about 30 r.p.m. for at leat 5 minutes.