EDIBLE MYCELIA AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
An improved mycelium in the form of an edible aerial mycelium that is suitable for use as a food product, including a food ingredient for making mycelium-based food, such as bacon. A method of making an edible aerial mycelium suitable for use as a food product, including a food ingredient. An edible product containing an edible aerial mycelium, and a method of making an edible product comprising an edible aerial mycelium, such as a mycelium-based bacon. A mycelium-based food product having a texture that is analogous to a whole-muscle meat product, wherein that whole-muscle meat product is bacon.
1 - 212 . (canceled)
213 . A system for growing an edible aerial mycelium, comprising:
a growth matrix comprising a substrate and a fungal inoculum, wherein the fungal inoculum comprises a fungus;
a growth environment configured to incubate the growth matrix as a solid-state culture for an incubation time period;
a misting apparatus; and
an atmospheric control system with an electronic controller configured to maintain a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) level within the growth environment between at least about 0.02% (v/v) and less than about 8% (v/v) and to introduce aqueous mist into the growth environment with the misting apparatus throughout the incubation time period, or a portion thereof, at a mist deposition rate and a mean mist deposition rate, wherein the mist deposition rate is less than or equal to about 150 microliter/cm 2 /hour, and the mean mist deposition rate is less than or equal to about 3 microliter/cm 2 /hour.
214 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the atmospheric control system is configured to maintain the growth environment at a relative humidity of at least about 95%.
215 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the atmospheric control system is configured to maintain the growth environment at a temperature within a range of 55° F. to 100° F.
216 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the atmospheric control system is configured to maintain the ratio of the mist deposition rate to the mean mist deposition rate within a range of about 100:1 to about 1000:1.
217 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the aqueous mist comprises one or more solutes.
218 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the misting apparatus is configured to deposit the aqueous mist onto the growth matrix, the extra-particle aerial mycelial growth, or both.
219 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the system is configured to provide a substantially horizontal airflow across the growth matrix.
220 . The system of claim 219 , wherein the substantially horizontal airflow has a velocity of no greater than about 275 linear feet per minute.
221 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the atmospheric control system is configured to maintain an O 2 level within the growth environment between a range of about 14% to about 21% (v/v).
222 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the CO 2 level is within a range of about 0.2% to about 7% (v/v).
223 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the fungus is a filamentous fungus.
224 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the growth environment is a dark environment.
225 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the substrate is a natural substrate.
226 . The system of claim 225 , wherein the natural substrate comprises a lignocellulosic material.
227 . The system of claim 225 , wherein the natural substrate comprises a cellulosic material.
228 . The system of claim 227 , wherein the cellulosic material is a lignin-free material.
229 . The system of claim 225 , wherein the natural substrate comprises an inorganic material.
230 . The system of claim 229 , wherein the inorganic material is comprises a mineral-based material.
231 . The system of claim 213 , wherein the fungal inoculum produces mycelium.
232 . The system of claim 231 , wherein the mycelium does not include any visible stipe, cap or spores.
233 . The system of claim 231 , wherein the mycelium grows vertically to produce an aerial mycelium.
234 . The system of claim 233 , wherein the aerial mycelium has a mean density of at least 1 pound per cubic food (pcf).
235 . The system of claim 233 , wherein the aerial mycelium has a mean thickness of at least 15 millimeters.