The process of making a biocomposite material utilize a bacterial species and a fungal species in an agricultural feedstock composed of a substrate of non-nutrient discrete particles and a nutrient material wherein the bacterial species imparts mechanical properties to the biocomposite material and the fungal species binds the biocomposite material. Both bacterium and fungus can be genetically engineered to produce desired properties within the microbial communities.

A system for growing fungi, the system comprising a nutritive vehicle, a porous material, an administrable space, fungal tissue comprising fungal hyphae having a growth pattern, the fungal tissue connecting said nutritive vehicle to said porous material to said administrable space, wherein the fungal tissue within said space defines at least one successive fungal material layer; and a chemically or physically altered separated portion of fungal material, the separated portion separated from said fungal tissue.

A system for growing fungi, the system comprising a nutritive vehicle, a porous material, an administrable space, fungal tissue comprising fungal hyphae having a growth pattern, the fungal tissue connecting said nutritive vehicle to said porous material to said administrable space, wherein the fungal tissue within said space defines at least one successive fungal material layer; and a chemically or physically altered separated portion of fungal material, the separated portion separated from said fungal tissue.

A method for cultivating ergosterol-rich Agaricus bisporus includes sowing seeds on a culture medium followed by soil covering for mycelium cultivation and sporophore cultivation. During the mycelium cultivation, a light intensity is 100-400 lux and a pH of the culture medium is controlled to 6.0-8.0. During the sporophore cultivation, a light intensity is 20-200 lux and a pH of the culture medium is controlled to 6.0-8.0. The preparation of the culture medium includes the following steps. The manure is mixed with phosphate fertilizer, calcium fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer to obtain an auxiliary material, and the crop straw and the auxiliary material are subjected to composting and decomposition, pasteurized and adjusted pH to 6.8-7.2 to obtain the culture medium. A healthy food or a functional food containing the ergosterol-rich Agaricus bisporus is also provided herein.

A mycelium growth bed for optimal production of pure mycelium or a pure mycelium composite with controlled or predictable properties, the bed comprising a tray, a conveying platform, a permeable membrane, a substrate, and a porous material. The permeable membrane is positioned on the conveying platform within the tray. The substrate is positioned on the permeable membrane and the porous material is positioned on top of the substrate. The system provides a configuration wherein the CO.sub.2 concentration is held above 3%, the relative humidity is held above 40% and the O.sub.2 concentration is held below 20% in steady state conditions to produce leather-like mycelium without fruiting bodies.

A mycelium growth bed for optimal production of pure mycelium or a pure mycelium composite with controlled or predictable properties, the bed comprising a tray, a conveying platform, a permeable membrane, a substrate, and a porous material. The permeable membrane is positioned on the conveying platform within the tray. The substrate is positioned on the permeable membrane and the porous material is positioned on top of the substrate. The system provides a configuration wherein the CO.sub.2 concentration is held above 3%, the relative humidity is held above 40% and the O.sub.2 concentration is held below 20% in steady state conditions to produce leather-like mycelium without fruiting bodies.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

Disclosed is a method to prepare myceliated vegetable product which includes culturing fungi in an aqueous media which contains vegetables, fruits, and/or combinations thereof. Examples of vegetables used in the processes of the invention include carrot, spinach, kale, beet, broccoli, and combinations thereof. Fungi used include Lentinula edodes. The resultant myceliated nutrient food product has its flavor, or aroma modulated, such as by decreasing undesirable flavor of bitterness, beet, hay/herbal/grassy or decreasing undesirable aroma of beet or hay/herbal/grassy. Products made according to the invention have a nutritional profile comprising a measurable level of at least one of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, folate, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or Vitamin C, and a dose 10 g of the myceliated vegetable product can provide a significant amount of the daily requirement of certain vitamins and minerals. The product can be added to foods and/or beverages to improve the nutrient composition of foods without adding undesirable tastes or aromas.

A mycelium growth bed for optimal production of pure mycelium or a pure mycelium composite with controlled or predictable properties, the bed comprising a tray, a conveying platform, a permeable membrane, a substrate, a porous material and a lid. The permeable membrane is positioned on the conveying platform within the tray. The substrate is positioned on the permeable membrane and the porous material is positioned on top of the substrate. The system provides a configuration having a substrate weight to surrounding space volume ratio between 0.5 and 5.0 g/cc, an air volume (surrounding space) to substrate volume between 0.01 and 1.0, and an air volume (surrounding space) to substrate area is between 0.5 and 5 cc/cm, wherein the CO.sub.2 concentration is held above 3%, the relative humidity is held above 40% and the O.sub.2 concentration is held below 20% in steady state conditions to produce leather-like mycelium without fruiting bodies.

A mycelium growth bed for optimal production of pure mycelium or a pure mycelium composite with controlled or predictable properties, the bed comprising a tray, a conveying platform, a permeable membrane, a substrate, a porous material and a lid. The permeable membrane is positioned on the conveying platform within the tray. The substrate is positioned on the permeable membrane and the porous material is positioned on top of the substrate. The system provides a configuration having a substrate weight to surrounding space volume ratio between 0.5 and 5.0 g/cc, an air volume (surrounding space) to substrate volume between 0.01 and 1.0, and an air volume (surrounding space) to substrate area is between 0.5 and 5 cc/cm, wherein the CO.sub.2 concentration is held above 3%, the relative humidity is held above 40% and the O.sub.2 concentration is held below 20% in steady state conditions to produce leather-like mycelium without fruiting bodies.