BIOREACTOR PARADIGM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SECONDARY EXTRA-PARTICLE HYPHAL MATRICES
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.
1 .- 11 . (canceled)
12 . A mycological material comprising:
an aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix consisting essentially of: a filamentous fungus and a substrate of discrete elements; and
an aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix growing from the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix has a higher cell volume density than the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, a higher anisotropy than the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, and a higher hyphal strand thickness than the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix.
13 . The mycological material of claim 12 , wherein the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix and the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix are aerated with a preconditioned air.
14 . The mycological material of claim 13 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is positively gravitropic.
15 . The mycological material of claim 13 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is negatively gravitropic.
16 . The mycological material of claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air is horizontal through the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix and the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix, thereby causing the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix to be horizontal and parallel to the flow of the preconditioned air.
17 . The mycological material of claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air comprises one or more of: air, a paramorphogen, a volatile compound, or an aromatic compound.
18 . The mycological material of claim 17 , wherein the paramorphogen is one of: a terpene or an alkyl pyrone.
19 . The mycological material of claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air is preconditioned to have a target temperature and a target humidity.
20 . The mycological material of claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air flows laminarly from the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix to the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix.
21 . The mycological material of claim 12 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is a target thickness.
22 . The mycological material of claim 21 , wherein the target thickness is up to 12 inches.
23 . The mycological material of claim 12 , wherein the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix is disposed within a bioreactor, wherein the thickness of the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is a function of the temperature of the bioreactor, a volumetric air flow rate of the bioreactor, an incubation time of the mycological material, and a constituency of a preconditioned air passing through the bioreactor.
24 . The mycological material of claim 12 , wherein the discrete elements of the substrate are lignocellulosic particles.
25 . The mycological material of claim 12 , wherein the filamentous fungus is Ganoderma tsugae.
26 . The mycological material of claim 12 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix comprises a second substrate.
27 . The mycological material of claim 26 , wherein the second substrate is cotton fiber.
28 . A mycological foam, meat substitute or biomedical material comprising the mycological material of claim 12 .
29 . The biomedical material of claim 28 , wherein the mycological material mimics vessels of vasculature.
30 . A cellular scaffold comprising the aerated extra-particle matrix of claim 12 .