How to Isolate Fungus
When cultivating a fungus, it is important to isolate the strain. The slightest amount of contamination can mean a bacterial infection, growth of the wrong fungus or a botched sample. Having the proper technique to isolate the fungus is critical, and once you get used to the process you will have consistent and pure results. From here you can continue to grow mushrooms for cooking, a mushroom garden, or you can continue to grow them in a petri dish for experimentation.
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Things You'll Need
- Sample of fungus
- Pressure cooker
- Test tubes
- Hobby knife
- Candle
- Masking tape
- Agar
- Aluminum foil
- Newspaper
Instructions
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Prepare the Growth Medium
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1
The night before you want to isolate the fungus, prepare the agar. Follow the directions on the packet. Take the agar off of the heat when it is dissolved so the bottom does not caramelize.
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2
Fill each test tube 1/4 of the way full, then lean the test tubes at a 30-degree angle. You want to maximize the surface area of the agar. Cover the opening of each test tube with a 1-inch square piece of aluminum foil.
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3
Once the agar is solidified, place the filled test tubes onto the rack in your pressure cooker. Add an inch of water to the bottom of the cooker, replace the lid and heat on high. Once steam comes out of the top, leave on heat for 15 minutes.
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4
Remove from heat and do not disturb until you are ready to prepare your specimens.
Isolate the Fungus
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5
Cover your working area with newspaper. Place the rest of the instruments on the newspaper. Take test tubes out of pressure cooker and place on work space.
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6
Light the candle and hold the hobby knife over it for 3 seconds. Sterilize your knife after the preparation of each specimen.
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7
Without letting your knife touch the ground, pick up a test tube and remove the aluminum foil. Hold the test tube perpendicular to the workspace. You don't want any contaminants to fall in.
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8
Without putting down the knife or test tube, break off a piece of the fungus with your hand. Cut out a small piece from the newly exposed flesh with your hobby knife and place into the test tube. Put down the hobby knife and cover the top of the test tube with two pieces of masking tape.
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9
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have placed a specimen in every test tube. Store your tubes in a cool dark location.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Prepare your specimens in the morning. In the morning, less bacteria and contaminants are in the air, so they are less likely to blow into the open test tube.
Sterilization is critical to the isolation of fungus. Make sure every aspect of your work station is as clean as possible.
Take care and remember to extinguish the flame when you are finished.
