Climate valve for the production of gourmet mushrooms

Abstract

Methods for cultivating mushrooms, especially edible or specialty mushrooms, comprising the following steps: - Filling a specific quantity of mycelium-inoculated substrate (2) into a packaging (1), preferably comprising a film, - airtight sealing of the packaging, - Applying a perforation (4) to the packaging (1) in such a proportion that: - the total area removed from the packaging (1) via the perforation (4.) in relation to the amount of substrate filled, between 1.5 mm 2 / kg and 6 mm 2 / kg - applying the perforation (4) to the packaging: a) before and / or b) during and / or c) after filling the substrate inoculated with mycelium, characterized in that the film (3) is shrunk so that it adheres to the substrate (2) filled into the side area of ​​the bag-forming packaging (1), so that fungal growth on the side of the bag-forming packaging (1) is avoided and instead occurs on its upper area inside the bag-forming packaging (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for cultivating mushrooms, in particular edible or noble mushrooms, and to a ripening package therefor according to claims 1 and 9. State of the art:

[0002] Not only do edible mushrooms occur naturally, they are also cultivated commercially. Their production involves mixing a mixture of grain, hardwood, and / or coniferous wood in the form of sawdust / fibers or pellets with water, sometimes also with oil cake or lime, to create a suitable nutrient medium.

[0003] This mixture is heated and pasteurized. After cooling to <26°C, the respective mushroom spawn, also called mycelium, is added. The mixing ratio is approximately 0.01% - 1%.

[0004] The mushroom spawn, or mycelium, determines which type of mushroom will develop (king oyster mushroom, shitake mushroom, oyster mushroom, etc.). It's like the seed in a plant.

[0005] For easier handling, the finished mixture, also called the substrate, is packaged into individual film bags using a flow-wrapping machine. The film is preferably shrink film with a thickness of 20µm - 60µm, preferably between 25-35µm.

[0006] Depending on the mushroom species, a film length (pattern) of 255mm or 280mm is used per bag. The packed weight of the bags is approximately 1.1 kg (250mm pattern) and approximately 1.6 kg (280 pattern).

[0007] The bags filled with the substrate pass through a shrink tunnel, which shrinks the bags at a temperature of approximately 130 - 160 degrees C so that an air space of approximately 10mm - 50mm remains above the substrate.

[0008] At the same time, the shrink-wrapped seal on the top of the bag becomes corrugated, making it more stable. This has the advantage that this seal can be more easily cut off after ripening in a fully automated process.

[0009] The fungal mycelium grows through the substrate over a period of approximately 4-17 weeks (depending on the mushroom species). The packaged substrate bags are initially stored at a temperature around 15 degrees C to ensure controlled growth of the fungal mycelium. After approximately 2-4 weeks, the substrate bags are stored in a climate-controlled room at approximately 22 degrees C for another few weeks. The bags are then moved to the culture room, where the first mushrooms appear after a few days. After the ripening process, the bag is cut open to allow the mushrooms to grow.

[0010] In the prior art, EP 0 085 928 A1 discloses a method for cultivating mushrooms by filling plastic bags with compost mixed with mycelium, sealing the bags hermetically and sufficiently securely to prevent accidental opening, and then sterilizing them to protect against germs by heating the bag and its contents to 100°C for several hours. The material used for the bag should have elastic properties and be heat-resistant to at least 115°C. An opening with a filter for air exchange is arranged in one wall of the bag. This opening is also welded or glued to the bag film to seal it off to prevent the ingress of germs.

[0011] GB 1 494 914 A D1 also discloses a method for cultivating edible mushrooms by performing a sterilization process for the compost-mycelium mixture filled in a bag at 135 °C for 30 minutes. For subsequent aeration of the substrate, the bag wall is provided with 1 mm diameter perforations at intervals of 10 x 10 cm.

[0012] CN 1 03 238 460 A discloses the formation of holes in a packaging material in the order of 2 nm - 100 nm. Object and advantages of the invention:

[0013] The object of the invention is to accelerate the growth of noble mushrooms and to achieve higher efficiency and yield from mushroom cultivation.

[0014] The problem is solved by the features of claims 1 and 9. The dependent claims specify advantageous and expedient developments.

[0015] Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for cultivating mushrooms, in particular edible or noble mushrooms, comprising the following steps: - filling a certain amount of substrate mixed with mycelium into a package, preferably a film, - airtight sealing of the packaging, - Applying a perforation to the packaging in the ratio that: - the total area removed from the packaging via the perforation to the filled substrate quantity between 1.5 mm 2 / kg and 6 mm 2 / kg, - whereby the application of the perforation to the packaging: a) before and / or b) during and / or c) after filling the substrate with mycelium.

[0016] The perforation can be carried out in particular by laser perforation.

[0017] Studies have shown that perforation surfaces in these ratios to the amount of substrate filled in each case can have particularly beneficial effects on the growth of the fungal culture.

[0018] For example, a shorter ripening time, meaning a shorter residence time of the substrates in the respective cold storage rooms, resulting in lower energy costs and faster throughput.

[0019] But it can also achieve greater efficiency. This means that the yield of mushrooms from the substrate used can be significantly increased, in some cases up to 40%, from the current yield of 18% for oyster mushrooms and 27-29% for shiitake mushrooms.

[0020] With a typical filling of a substrate mixer of 10-12 tons of substrate, the yield of previously approximately 2 tons of mushrooms can be increased to approximately 3-4 tons of mushrooms by the perforation according to the invention, and this with the same processes and the same energy and personnel expenditure.

[0021] For good handling, it has been found, for example, that - with a filled substrate quantity of approx. 1.1 kg a total area of ​​approx. 2 mm 2 up to 6 mm 2 is removed from the packaging via the perforation, and / or - a filled substrate quantity of approx. 1.6 kg a total area of ​​approx. 2.5 mm 2 up to 7mm 2 .

[0022] The diameter of the perforations is preferably < approximately 100 µm. This prevents germs from penetrating the packaging. If the hole diameter is too large (e.g., 140 µm), nidosis develops, an orange-colored mold growth that endangers the entire fungal culture. Nidosis inhibits fungal growth and is very difficult to eradicate, requiring a very high level of hygiene.

[0023] According to one embodiment, it is preferred that the hole diameter of the perforation be between approximately 70 µm and approximately 90 µm. This hole diameter can be created, for example, using a CO2 laser with a wavelength of 10.6 µm.

[0024] According to another embodiment, it is preferred that the hole diameter of the perforation be between approximately 20 µm and approximately 70 µm. This hole diameter can be created, for example, using a CO laser with a wavelength of 5 µm.

[0025] In principle, however, any CO laser or CO2 laser, possibly with a different wavelength, can be used. It is important that the total area removed by perforation on the packaging per substrate content correlates with the above-mentioned ratios and that the individual holes are small enough to prevent germs from penetrating.

[0026] It is also important that no perforations are made at the bottom of the bag, as this would pose the risk of germs penetrating the substrate from the bottom. The "bottom of the bag" refers to the area of ​​the packaging that rests on a support surface, such as a shelf or similar, during storage.

[0027] In contrast, the perforation holes are divided along the side from the bottom of the bag to the weld seam at the top of the bag. The perforation is preferably applied to the packaging with at least four double rows, i.e., eight rows of perforations, and preferably four triple rows, i.e., a total of 12 rows.

[0028] The perforation rows can also be referred to as perforation lines, after which the arrangement can be described in other words as 4x double or 4x triple perforation lines (2 lines at the front and 2 lines on the back of the bag).

[0029] The spacing between the rows of the double or triple rows is preferably between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 100 mm, preferably approximately 1 mm to 5 mm. The hole spacing along the perforation line is particularly preferred at 2 mm.

[0030] In principle, however, the perforations could also be distributed arbitrarily across the bag's surface. However, the parallel hole arrangement has the advantage that the structure for forming the perforations can be simplified. For example, in the form of two lasers arranged side by side and / or one laser with beam splitting optics.

[0031] For limited distances (e.g., 1-5 mm), so-called diffractive optics can be used. This splits a laser beam into two or three (depending on the design of the diffractive optics) equal beams, which are then further focused, preferably by a lens. This allows two or three holes to be lasered next to each other in the direction of web travel.

[0032] Basically, three parameters are crucial for good mushroom growth: 1. Substrate quality. 2. Quality of the mushroom mycelium (mushroom spawn). 3. Perforation of the film. ➢ No perforation: no fungal growth. ➢ if perforation is too low: slower growth, lower yield. ➢ Perforation according to the invention: maximum yield (substrate in relation to mushroom harvest) and shorter ripening times.

[0033] Regarding the different types of mushrooms, the following packaging sizes are preferred: Bags with a 250 mm pattern repeat are used, for example, for oyster mushrooms, etc. Bags with a 280 mm repeat are used, for example, for shii-take etc.

[0034] Regarding shrinkage of the packaging film, it was found that it is important that the film adheres to the substrate in the side area of ​​the bag. This prevents fungal growth on the side of the bag-forming packaging and concentrates it on the upper area of ​​the bag-forming packaging. This has the advantage of easier harvesting.

[0035] It has been found that if the film has air pockets in the side of the bag or doesn't adhere well to the substrate, fungal growth will occur there. However, since the bag is only cut open at the top for harvesting, such fungi cannot develop properly on the side of the bag and appear "pinched" or "flattened." These fungi then also lack a "cap." This leads to unnecessary yield losses.

[0036] Another advantage has been discovered in using a colored film for packaging and / or printing on a transparent film, at least in the area that is cut off after the mushrooms germinate, plus a prophylactic area of ​​approximately 3 cm to 4 cm beyond. This is because if small pieces of film or small pieces become stuck to the mushroom substrate during cutting, they can be more easily identified and removed, preventing them from migrating to the harvested mushrooms.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a package filled with substrate and mycelium for growing mushrooms, in particular for growing edible or noble mushrooms. This is characterized in that the package is hermetically sealed, with the exception of one perforation, and this perforation is designed in such a ratio that the total area removed from the package via the perforation is between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm to the filled amount of substrate. 2 / kg and 6 mm 2 / kg.

[0038] In particular: - with a filled amount of substrate and mycelium of approx. 1.1 kg a total area of ​​approx. 2 mm 2 up to 6 mm 2 be removed from the packaging via the perforation, and / or - with a filled amount of substrate and mycelium of approx. 1.6 kg a total area of ​​approx. 2.5 mm 2 up to 7mm 2 . Description of an example:

[0039] The invention is described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0040] They show: Fig. 1: An example of a number of packages filled with substrate and mycelium for growing mushrooms, in particular for growing edible or gourmet mushrooms. Fig. 2 to 4: Different embodiments of a film for producing a packaging for filling with substrate and mycelium for cultivating mushrooms, in particular for cultivating edible or noble mushrooms.

[0041] In detail, the Fig. 1 several packages 1, each filled with a mixture 2 of substrate and mycelium for growing mushrooms, in particular for growing edible or noble mushrooms, such as king oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, etc.

[0042] The packages 1 are hermetically sealed, with the exception of a perforation 4, which can be seen from the moisture precipitate on the film 3 which forms the bag-shaped package here as an example.

[0043] A perforation 4 according to the invention is, in regular view, Fig. 1, clearly visible on the right front (lower) packaging bag 1.1 as a double row 4.1 or double line of perforations opposite the moisture condensation on the inside of the packaging bag 1.1.

[0044] The perforation is worn in such a ratio that: with a filled amount of substrate and mycelium of approx. 1.1 kg a total area of ​​approx. 2 mm 2 up to 6 mm 2 is removed from the packaging via the perforation, and / or - with a filled amount of substrate and mycelium of approx. 1.6 kg a total area of ​​approx. 2.5 mm 2 up to 7mm 2 .

[0045] Fig. 2 shows the base area of ​​a packaging 1 that can be formed from a film 3. This base area has, as an example, a side length of 640 mm and a repeat of 255 mm plus corresponding material overhangs towards the edge.

[0046] Furthermore, four spaced-apart double rows 4.1 or double lines of perforation holes are shown, again as an example. The distances shown are 100 mm from the center of the outer double rows to the edge of the base area. The distances from the respective center to the center of an adjacent double row are, also as an example, 146.5 mm and 147 mm, respectively.

[0047] The longitudinal extension of the double rows 4.1 is shown as 140 mm.

[0048] The Fig. 3 shows basically the same representation of a film for forming a base for a packaging 1 as the Fig. 2, but with an exemplary longer repeat of 280 mm and a longer extension of the double lines 4.1 with an exemplary 165 mm.

[0049] The Fig. 4 again shows the same representation of a film for forming a base area for a packaging 1 as the Fig. 2, but with four triple rows 4.2 of perforations 4 instead of four double rows. List of reference symbols: 1 packaging 2 Mixture 3 slides 4 Perforation 4.1 Double row 4.2 Triple row

Claims

[1] A process for cultivating mushrooms, in particular edible or noble mushrooms, comprising the following steps: - filling a certain amount of mycelium-infused substrate (2) into a package (1), preferably a film, - airtight sealing of the packaging, - applying a perforation (4) to the packaging (1) in such a ratio that: - the total area removed from the packaging (1) via the perforation (4) to the filled substrate quantity between 1.5 mm 2 / kg and 6 mm 2 / kg, - whereby the application of the perforation (4) to the packaging: a) before and / or b) during and / or c) after filling the substrate with mycelium, characterized bythat the film (3) is shrunk in such a way that it adheres to the substrate (2) filled in the side region of the packaging (1) forming a bag, so that fungal growth on the side of the packaging (1) forming the bag is avoided and instead is effected on its upper region within the packaging (1) forming the bag. [2] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to claim 1, characterized by , that - with a filled substrate quantity (2) of 1.1 kg a total area of ​​2 mm 2 up to 6 mm 2 is removed from the packaging (1) via the perforation (4), and / or - with a filled substrate quantity (2) of 1.6 kg a total area of ​​2.5 mm 2 up to 7mm 2 is removed. [3] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to claim 1, characterized bythat the hole diameter of the perforation holes (4) is < 100µm so that no germs can penetrate into the packaging (1). [4] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the hole diameter of the perforation (4) is between 70µm and 90µm. [5] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the hole diameter of the perforation (4) is between 20µm and 70µm. [6] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the perforation (4) is applied to the packaging (1) in the form of rows of holes, preferably in the form of double rows (4.1). [7] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the perforation (4) is applied to the packaging (1) with at least four double rows (4.1), i.e. 8 rows of perforations, preferably four triple rows (4.2), i.e. a total of 12 rows. [8] A method for cultivating mushrooms according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the distance between the rows of the double or triple rows (4.1, 4.2) is chosen between 0.5 mm distance to 100 mm distance, preferably 1 mm to 5 mm distance. [9] Packaging (1) filled with substrate and mycelium for growing mushrooms, in particular for growing edible or noble mushrooms, wherein the packaging is hermetically sealed, with the exception of one perforation (4), and this perforation is designed in such a ratio that the total area removed from the packaging via the perforation to the filled amount of substrate (2) is between 1.5 mm 2 / kg and 6 mm 2 / kg, characterized bythat the film (3) is shrunk in such a way that it adheres to the substrate (2) filled in the side region of the packaging (1) forming a bag, so that fungal growth on the side of the packaging (1) forming the bag is avoided and instead is caused on its upper region within the packaging (1) forming the bag. [10] Packaging according to claim 10, characterized by that with a filled quantity of substrate (2) mixed with mycelium of 1.1 kg, a total area of ​​2 mm 2 up to 6 mm 2 is removed from the packaging (1) via the perforation (4), and / or with a filled quantity of mycelium-infused substrate (2) of 1.6 kg, a total area of ​​2.5 mm 2 up to 7mm 2 is removed.

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