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.

A method for forming soil enhancement includes forming microbes in a concentrated form of at least 110.sup.7 cfu/ml (colony-forming units per milliliter); and dry forming the microbes onto humic acid.

A method for forming soil enhancement includes forming microbes in a concentrated form of at least 110.sup.7 cfu/ml (colony-forming units per milliliter); and dry forming the microbes onto humic acid.

Devices for microbial detection of microorganisms are provided including a body member including a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The device further includes a first adhesive composition adhered to a portion of the first major surface. A number of particles of a substantially dry first microbial growth nutrient composition are distributed in the first adhesive composition, and a cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition is adhered to the first adhesive composition. The device also includes a cover sheet attached to the body member, where the cover sheet includes a first major surface facing the body member. Devices including a water-proof pouch, further comprising a porous membrane filter are also provided. Methods for detecting and enumerating at least one microorganism in a sample using the devices are additionally provided.

Provided is a microorganism culture sheet having an excellent efficiency for collection of environmental microorganisms and a method for measuring the environmental microorganisms with an excellent collection efficiency. Provided is a microorganism culture sheet including a base sheet, a dry culture layer formed on the base sheet, and a cover sheet covering the dry culture layer, wherein an adhesive layer and a release film are laminated on the inner surface of the cover sheet. Because the environmental microorganisms are collected using the adhesive layer, an excellent collection efficiency is provided.

Provided is a microorganism culture sheet having an excellent efficiency for collection of environmental microorganisms and a method for measuring the environmental microorganisms with an excellent collection efficiency. Provided is a microorganism culture sheet including a base sheet, a dry culture layer formed on the base sheet, and a cover sheet covering the dry culture layer, wherein an adhesive layer and a release film are laminated on the inner surface of the cover sheet. Because the environmental microorganisms are collected using the adhesive layer, an excellent collection efficiency is provided.

A fluidic device has a culture chamber configured to house a 3D culture matrix comprising a culture of microorganisms. A concentration gradient of a test substance is established over the 3D culture matrix by providing respective fluid flows at different end portions of the culture chamber and comprising different concentrations of the test substance. The response of the microorganisms to the test substance is determined based on the position of a border zone in the 3D culture matrix.

A fluidic device has a culture chamber configured to house a 3D culture matrix comprising a culture of microorganisms. A concentration gradient of a test substance is established over the 3D culture matrix by providing respective fluid flows at different end portions of the culture chamber and comprising different concentrations of the test substance. The response of the microorganisms to the test substance is determined based on the position of a border zone in the 3D culture matrix.

A system (100, 200, 400, 700) and method for growing biomass, wherein the system comprises at least one growing unit (110, 210, 410, 710) having a respective controllable environment and comprising a first area (120, 220, 420, 720) and a second area (130, 230, 430, 730). The system further comprises at least one plate-grid device (140, 240, 441, 442, 443, 500, 740) arranged within said at least one growing unit in turn comprising at least one plate (225, 325, 510) elevated from at least one grid (226, 326, 530, 631, 632, 633, 634) wherein the at least one plate and the at least one grid are independently movable from one another between the first area and the second area. Additionally, the system comprises a decontamination device (160, 260, 461, 462) arranged within the second area and configured to decontaminate, in the second area, one or more of the at least one plate and/or at least one grid of the at least one plate-grid device. Furthermore, the at least one plate and at least one grid of each at least one plate-grid device are movable independently from the at least one plate and at least one grid of the other plate grid devices between a loading position (171, 471, 771), at which the at least one plate is free to receive a growth medium for growing biomass, and a discharging position (172, 472, 772), within the first area. The system further comprises at least one transporting mechanism (150, 250, 450, 750) configured to transport grown biomass discharged from the at least one plate-grid device at the discharging position, to a third area arranged outside of the at least one growing unit.

The invention relates to a process for large scale solid-state fermentation. The process comprises providing a substrate to be cultured (S1) made of plant material and/or animal material, filling vessels (S2) with the substrate using an automated filling system, sterilizing (S4) the vessels, inoculating (S5) the substrate with a microbial inoculant adapted to cause fermentation of the cultured substrate, storing (S6) the vessels in a closed state in controlled climate conditions for solid state fermentation of the cultured substrate, and harvesting (S7) the content of the vessels. Each vessel has an inner volume of 50 L or less and a smallest dimension less than or equal to 40 cm. This process is particularly adapted, with additional steps, for the production of fermented flour. In this process, upscaling is obtained by providing a high number of small bioreactors and by automation, instead of increasing the size of the reactors as generally done in the field of bioprocessing. The invention also relates to a corresponding production process.