How to Create Fungus: 10 Steps (with Images)

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How to Create Fungus: 10 Steps (with Images)
How to Create Fungus: 10 Steps (with Images)

Video: How to Create Fungus: 10 Steps (with Images)

Video: How to Create Fungus: 10 Steps (with Images)
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Mold is a fungus that has many uses. It's common - its breeding spores are present almost everywhere, in the air and on surfaces. Interestingly, it is an organism that can make people sick and spoil food, but at the same time it is used to preserve other foods and also produces components used in the production of medicines. Growing molds is a great way to learn about this unique organism. With the instructions provided in this article, you will soon produce your own mold.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Learning about mold

Grow Mold Step 1
Grow Mold Step 1

Step 1. Understand what mold is

It is just one of the many types of fungi that humans come into contact with every day. They are scientifically defined as multicellular organisms from the kingdom Fungi (a taxonomic order on the same level as plants and animals). The individual organism made up of genetically identical cells is known as a mycelium.

Grow Mold Step 2
Grow Mold Step 2

Step 2. Understand the impact of molds on terrestrial life

Most people recognize mold as the hairy or dissimilar stain on a slice of bread or a piece of fruit, but not all molds are undesirable. Some of them help to preserve food – as in the case of cheese. Others (penicillin) provide life-saving antibiotics. Molds and other fungi also play a vital role in the decomposition process. They break down the structures of plant and animal cells, allowing the nutrients they contain to re-enter the food chain.

Grow Mold Step 3
Grow Mold Step 3

Step 3. Know the three necessary elements for molds

They are living things and, in fact, their cellular structures are more animal-like than plant-like. Like all living things, molds need water, a food source and the right environment to survive.

  • Much like animals, molds (and all fungi) do not produce food internally. All the calories and nutrients they require to live must be sourced from an outside source. Molds, as a broad category, are not picky. Some grow well on starchy foods, others target fruits and vegetables, while some sprout on small pieces of organic matter (mostly paper) on damp walls.
  • Mold survives best in moist environments. Of course, most living things live near water, but molds are especially dependent on it. Unlike plants and animals, they employ an external digestion process. Dry environments make it difficult for them to absorb nutrients. They cannot survive without access to moisture.
  • Most forms of mold also prefer warmer temperatures. There are two primary reasons for this. The enzymes they use in external digestion and internal cellular processes work best at temperatures well above the freezing point. Furthermore, molds are multicellular organisms without complex circulatory systems. It is easier to transfer nutrients from one cell to another in warm environments than in cold ones.
  • While some molds are indeed light sensitive, most are not directly affected by the sun. They do not tend to grow in sunny locations simply because such locations are at risk of drying out.

Part 2 of 2: Growing your own mold

Grow Mold Step 4
Grow Mold Step 4

Step 1. Identify a potential food source

As mentioned above, pretty much everything that has ever been alive (and some things that have never been) are potential food sources for molds. However, some molds are more common than others.

  • One of the most common molds is penicillin, which often grows in bread. Bread is convenient for molds for the same reason that it is great food for people. The organic matter in the grains that make up the bread has already been partially broken down. As with humans, bread is easier to digest for molds than grains themselves.
  • Dairy products, and cheese in particular, also create mold in abundance. It may be easier to watch them develop in a cheese that does not have molds, such as mozzarella. On the other hand, some cheeses contain live mold inside them or on an outer skin. They serve both as a food for molds and as a source of them.
Grow Mold Step 5
Grow Mold Step 5

Step 2. Find a suitable container

Molds release spores that cause allergies and some even cause infections. While most are harmless, you must protect yourself. Look for a potential container in which the mold can grow. The best containers are transparent, so you can observe mold without exposing yourself to it. It must also be sealed against air and water. Even if you don't add moisture, the decomposition process will likely make a mess.

  • One of the best container options is a clear, resealable plastic bag. You can watch the mold as it grows and keep it perfectly stored. It's good to use a good quality plastic bag as if the zipper breaks it can make a terrible mess.
  • Because of all the reasons mentioned above, you should use a disposable container. Once you've created a container full of mold, you shouldn't open it.
Grow Mold Step 6
Grow Mold Step 6

Step 3. Find the ideal environment

As noted earlier, molds do not need to be kept out of the light, but overexposure to the sun can dry them out. Also, while some can survive in the cold, most grow better in warm environments. Find a warm, sheltered place to keep the mold as it grows.

Grow Mold Step 7
Grow Mold Step 7

Step 4. Close the mold food source in the container

Spores are everywhere and you don't have to “plant” them in the food source. They are certainly already there.

Make sure the environment in the container is moist enough. Your goal is to close the container and never open it again while the mold is growing. If the food source has dried up and you are still waiting for the mold to grow, you may need to open the container and add more water. By contrast, most molds do not grow directly in water. Keep the food source moist but not soaking it

Grow Mold Step 8
Grow Mold Step 8

Step 5. Check the progress of mold growth daily

Observe the container regularly and, if possible, every day. If there is no apparent mold and the food source appears dry, open the container and sprinkle a few drops of water on it.

If opening the container, it might be a good idea to wear disposable rubber gloves and a mask to cover your face and nose. Even if you can't see the mold, some may already be growing. Most aren't dangerous, but some can be. Don't take risks

Grow Mold Step 9
Grow Mold Step 9

Step 6. Learn about the mold you've grown

Observe it carefully and notice the colors and shapes of the moldy stains. They indicate what type of mold is growing on the food source. You can learn more about common molds by searching the internet.

Grow Mold Step 10
Grow Mold Step 10

Step 7. Discard the mold when finished

Throw the entire container in the trash. Do not open the container.

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