How to manage low-temperature culture and distribution of mushroom cultivation kits

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for managing low-temperature cultivation and distribution of a mushroom cultivation kit. Before shipping the culture medium to a consumer, it is refrigerated at a low temperature of 2 to 5°C for a certain period to induce artificial stress in the mycelium and accumulate energy. Subsequently, during the delivery stage, the medium is distributed in a state exposed to room temperature without separate cooling treatment, thereby allowing the temperature of the medium to gradually rise and utilizing this as a signal to initiate growth. According to the present invention, upon the moment a consumer receives and opens the product, explosive mushroom fruiting is induced by the rapid temperature difference and exposure to air, and there is an effect of enabling the harvesting of high-quality mushrooms at a uniform time anywhere in the country.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a low-temperature cultivation and distribution management method for a mushroom cultivation kit configured to allow ordinary people to easily cultivate mushrooms indoors. More specifically, it relates to a low-temperature cultivation and distribution management method for a mushroom cultivation kit in which intentional low-temperature stress is applied to a mushroom substrate produced at a substrate manufacturing plant to temporarily suppress the metabolic activity of the mycelium and accumulate energy, and then the temperature rise effect resulting from shipping at room temperature without a separate insulation means is utilized as a trigger for the formation of fruiting bodies. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, driven by growing interest in health and a preference for eco-friendly ingredients, the urban farming population that grows and consumes mushrooms and vegetables at home has been rapidly increasing. In particular, shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are one of the most popular varieties in the home cultivation kit market due to their unique flavor and abundant nutrients. Modern mushroom cultivation technology has evolved from the traditional log cultivation method to a system that mass-produces substrates—a mixture of sawdust and nutrients—in factories.

[0003] Looking at the distribution process of typical mushroom cultivation kits, substrate manufacturers commercialize substrates that have been inoculated with spawn and cultured, and then sell and deliver them to general consumers. Professional mushroom farms are equipped with precise environmental control facilities and cultivate mushrooms while maintaining the optimal growth temperature (generally around 20 degrees) and humidity for each variety. However, in the case of ordinary households, indoor temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions vary drastically depending on the placement location, such as the living room, veranda, or kitchen.

[0004] Such environmental non-uniformity has a severe impact on the growth cycle of mushrooms, causing quality variations where the timing of mushroom emergence differs significantly from household to household, or in some cases, mushrooms do not grow at all, even for products purchased at the same time. Traditionally, consumers had to personally take cumbersome measures to induce mushroom growth after receiving the product, such as soaking the substrate in cold water for a certain period or applying physical shock to the substrate. However, this method not only places a psychological burden on novice growers but can also cause the substrate to rot or become contaminated with harmful bacteria if water is supplied excessively.

[0005] Biologically, mushrooms grow by absorbing nutrients in the mycelium state, but when subjected to environmental stress such as a sudden drop in temperature or changes in humidity, they form a fruiting body for reproduction. In particular, in the case of shiitake mushrooms, fruiting body primordiums are formed through the expression of low-temperature sensitive genes, and the technology to artificially control this process becomes a key competitive advantage for kit products.

[0006] While conventional technologies often focus on substrate sterilization methods or compositional ratios, few incorporate the distribution process itself into the growth activation stage. Existing logistics methods have focused solely on maintaining the substrate's condition as much as possible, and have even regarded temperature fluctuations during delivery as a factor causing quality degradation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a new low-temperature cultivation and distribution management system capable of guaranteeing consistent cultivation results regardless of the diverse consumer environments across the country. Prior art literature

[0007] Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2548107 The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention was devised to solve the problems of the prior art, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a low-temperature culture and distribution management method for a mushroom cultivation kit that provides a precisely designed low-temperature environment to a mushroom medium received from a medium manufacturing plant, thereby inducing intentional stress on the mycelium, temporarily suppressing metabolic activity and accumulating energy for fruiting body formation.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a low-temperature culture and distribution management method for a mushroom cultivation kit, which exposes a low-temperature treated medium to a room-temperature delivery system without a separate heat retention or insulation device, and utilizes the gradual temperature rise occurring during the delivery period as a physiological activation signal for the mycelium.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a low-temperature cultivation and distribution management method for a mushroom cultivation kit that controls the rapid and explosive fruiting of mushrooms even in different indoor environments by allowing the temperature difference energy accumulated through the low-temperature storage and delivery stages to act all at once the moment a consumer receives and opens the product. means of solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the purpose described above, the low-temperature cultivation and distribution management method of the mushroom cultivation kit of the present invention is,

[0012] (a) A step for preparing a medium inoculated with mushroom spawn;

[0013] (b) a cold dormancy induction step of applying cold stress to the mycelium by refrigerating the prepared medium at a temperature range of 2 to 5°C for 24 to 72 hours;

[0014] (c) a room temperature delivery step in which the above-mentioned refrigerated culture medium is packaged in a general packaging material excluding heat retention or thermal insulation treatment and delivered at room temperature, thereby inducing a gradual temperature rise due to the external temperature during the delivery process to initiate metabolic activation of the mycelium; and

[0015] (d) The packaging is opened by a consumer and exposed to an indoor environment, thereby inducing mushroom fruiting through a temperature difference stimulus accumulated from the low-temperature dormancy induction stage through the room-temperature delivery stage, comprising a fruiting activation stage.

[0016] In one embodiment, the mushroom is characterized as being a shiitake mushroom.

[0017] In one embodiment, the relative humidity inside the refrigeration facility during the (b) low-temperature dormancy induction step is maintained at 90% to 95%.

[0018] In one embodiment, the (c) room temperature delivery step is performed for 24 to 48 hours under external temperature conditions of 15 to 25°C, and is characterized in that the hydrolytic enzyme activity and the expression of specific stress-response proteins within the mycelium are promoted as the internal temperature of the medium returns from a low temperature state to a room temperature state during the delivery process.

[0019] In one embodiment, the general packaging material comprises an inner packaging material that accommodates the mushroom substrate and an outer packaging box that accommodates the inner packaging material, and the outer packaging box is characterized by not including an insulating material, a thermal insulation material, or a refrigerant.

[0020] In one embodiment, the inner packaging material is characterized as being a polymer film packaging material having ventilation holes formed therein.

[0021] In one embodiment, the medium is composed of a composition comprising 70 to 80 weight% oak sawdust, 15 to 20 weight% wheat bran or rice bran, 1 to 3 weight% gypsum, and 1 to 2 weight% calcium carbonate, and is characterized in that the moisture content of the medium is 60% to 65%. Effects of the invention

[0022] According to the present invention, by applying precisely controlled low-temperature stress at the pre-distribution stage, the metabolic rhythm of the mycelium can be compressed and energy for fruiting body formation can be condensed. As a result, an explosive growth effect in which mushrooms appear within a few days after the consumer receives the product can be obtained, and there is a significant effect of shortening the overall cultivation period.

[0023] In addition, by utilizing the standard room temperature delivery process as an extension of temperature stimulation, consumers can eliminate the cumbersome operation of having to directly soak the substrate in water or place it in a refrigerator. This significantly reduces the probability of substrate contamination or failure caused by management errors by novice growers, thereby simultaneously improving user convenience and cultivation success rates.

[0024] Furthermore, product quality consistency can be ensured by minimizing the impact of varying consumer indoor environments nationwide and reducing variations in fruiting timing and yield among products. This leads to economic benefits, such as enhanced brand credibility and maximized consumer satisfaction, which induces continuous repurchase.

[0025] The optimal culture medium composition ratio and low-temperature management values ​​presented in this invention exhibit a synergistic effect that suppresses the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms while maintaining the vitality of the mycelium. In particular, mycelium strengthened by low-temperature shock produces high-quality mushrooms that are firmer and have a richer aroma, which is an important factor in increasing commercial value. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of a low-temperature culture management method for a mushroom cultivation kit according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the change in mycelial metabolic activity when low-temperature stress is applied according to one embodiment of the present invention, compared with a control group. FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a shiitake mushroom culture medium according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a photograph showing the state of mushrooms grown in a shiitake mushroom substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] In describing the specific details for implementing the present invention, the description will be based on preferred embodiments.

[0028] However, this does not mean that the present invention is limited to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the objectives and effects presented in this invention do not imply that specific embodiments must include all of them or only such effects, and the scope of the invention should not be understood as being limited by them.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in describing the present invention are preferably interpreted as being consistent with their dictionary meanings and the meanings universally understood in the context of the relevant technology by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the low-temperature cultivation and distribution management method of a mushroom cultivation kit according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In describing with reference to the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The core principle of the present invention is to systematically integrate the biological 'thermal shock' mechanism into the logistics and distribution stages. Mycelium inherently perceives rapid changes in the external environment as a threat to survival and possesses the characteristic of switching to reproductive growth (formation of fruiting bodies) for species preservation in such crisis situations.

[0033] The present invention industrially reproduces this natural providence through precise temperature values ​​and time control, and comprises (a) a culture medium preparation step, (b) a low-temperature dormancy induction step, (c) a room-temperature delivery step, and (d) a pear activation step, each step described in more detail as follows.

[0035] (a) Axe preparation step

[0036] The first step of the present invention is the process of preparing a culture medium containing optimized nutrients. The vitality of mushrooms critically depends on the physical structure and chemical composition of the culture medium, and a sophisticated formulation is required, particularly to withstand low-temperature stress and support subsequent explosive growth.

[0037] Oak sawdust, which is the main component of the culture medium used in the present invention, is a source of lignin and cellulose that are easily decomposed by mushroom mycelium.

[0038] If the sawdust particles are too fine, the air permeability decreases, hindering the respiration of the mycelium, and if they are too coarse, the moisture retention capacity decreases, so it is most desirable to use a mixture of fine particles of about 1 mm and coarse particles of about 3 mm in a ratio of 4:6.

[0039] Wheat bran or rice bran added to enhance the nutritional value of the culture medium functions as a nitrogen source. To aid in the protein synthesis of the mycelium, the nitrogen content must be controlled, and in the present invention, 15% to 20% of the total weight is composed of wheat bran.

[0040] If this ratio is less than 15%, the growth of the fruiting body becomes poor, and if it exceeds 20%, the acidity of the medium drops sharply or the risk of contamination by unwanted microorganisms increases dramatically, so compliance with this range is technically very important.

[0041] In addition, small amounts of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) are added to improve the physical stability and nutrient absorption efficiency of the culture medium. Gypsum prevents clumping of the medium and strengthens the mycelial cell walls by supplying calcium ions, while calcium carbonate acts as a buffer to suppress the decrease in pH caused by organic acids generated during the culture process.

[0042] The mixing ratios presented in the present invention are as follows.

[0043] Ingredient name Mixing ratio (weight%) Functional significance Oak sawdust 70~80% Supply of main raw materials, roots, and cellulose Wheat bran / rice bran 15~20% Supply of nitrogen source, promotion of mycelial metabolism gypsum 1~3% Strengthening cell walls and providing structural stability calcium carbonate 1~2% pH buffering, optimization of nutrient absorption

[0044] Meanwhile, the moisture content of the culture medium is precisely controlled to between 60% and 65%. If the moisture content is less than 60%, the mycelium dries out and loses vitality during low-temperature storage, and if it exceeds 65%, anaerobic fermentation occurs during shipping, causing foul odors and contamination. The controlled culture medium is prepared in a sterile state by undergoing a high-pressure steam sterilization process at 121°C for 90 minutes.

[0046] (b) Low-temperature dormancy induction stage

[0047] After sterilization, the culture medium inoculated with spawn and cultured for approximately 40 days under dark conditions at 22 to 25°C begins to brown on the surface and enters the maturation stage. The present invention does not immediately ship this matured culture medium to consumers, but instead allows it to undergo a special 'low-temperature dormancy induction stage'.

[0048] The prepared culture medium is placed in a refrigeration facility with a temperature of 2 to 5°C and a relative humidity of 90 to 95% or higher and stored for 24 to 72 hours. During this process, rapid physiological changes occur within the mycelium.

[0049] First, when the temperature drops rapidly, the phospholipid fluidity of the cell membrane decreases, and the hyphae perceive this as environmental stress.

[0050] Second, in response to this, the hyphae begin to accumulate large amounts of storage sugars, such as glycogen and trehalose, within the cells. This is a process of stockpiling high-energy fuel to rapidly propel the fruiting body upward when the temperature rises later.

[0051] Academically, during this period, cold-sensitive genes such as Le-Dr hydrophobin enter a state ready for expression. Hydrophobin proteins are surfactant proteins that play a key role in allowing hyphae to penetrate the water film of the culture medium and protrude into the air to form a primordium, which is the initial form of a mushroom. In general room-temperature culture media, the synthesis of this protein occurs slowly, but in a medium subjected to cold stress as in the present invention, the gene expression switch is strongly fixed in the 'On' state.

[0052] The critical significance of low-temperature storage time is also an important feature of the present invention. If stored for less than 24 hours, sufficient stress signals are not transmitted to the entire mycelium, resulting in a negligible fruiting induction effect. Conversely, if stored for a long period exceeding 72 hours, the mycelium enters a deep dormant state, and even if exposed to room temperature after delivery, it may take more time to recover or, conversely, lead to side effects such as reduced yield.

[0053] Therefore, storing at 3 to 4°C for 48 hours is the optimal value to ensure the most biologically uniform quality.

[0055] (c) Room temperature delivery stage

[0056] One of the most original features of the present invention is that the distribution process is transformed from a mere movement of logistics into a 'secondary culture induction process'.

[0057] The culture medium, having completed low-temperature storage, is shipped at room temperature in standard cardboard packaging without separate ice packs or insulation.

[0058] The above general packaging material preferably comprises an inner packaging material for accommodating a mushroom substrate and an outer packaging box for accommodating the inner packaging material, wherein the inner packaging material uses a polymer film packaging material with ventilation holes, and the outer packaging box preferably does not contain thermal insulation, thermal insulation, or refrigerant.

[0059] In the courier environment of South Korea, the internal temperature of delivery vehicles and terminals ranges from 15 to 25°C depending on the season, and delivery takes 1 to 2 days. The culture medium, packaged in a cold state, absorbs external heat inside the shipping box, causing the internal temperature to gradually rise. At this stage, the mycelium undergoes a 'preheating' process. As the temperature rises, nutrients stored at low temperatures begin to be broken down by hydrolytic enzymes, maximizing metabolic energy for fruiting body formation.

[0060] If a low temperature is forcibly maintained during the delivery process, the mycelium will still be in a deep dormant state when the consumer receives the product. However, if a natural temperature rise is induced during delivery as in the present invention, by the time it reaches the consumer, the mycelium reaches a 'critical state' just before starting explosive growth. This is based on the same principle as delivering a product to the consumer while the bowstring is pulled taut.

[0062] (d) Foot activation phase

[0063] The act of the consumer opening the product packaging upon delivery completes the final step of the present invention, 'foot activation'.

[0064] The moment the culture medium is fully exposed to the consumer's indoor environment (around 20°C), the 3.5°C of the cold storage and the temperature energy accumulated during shipping combine to send a final growth signal to the mycelium.

[0065] Consumers do not need to perform any separate, complex immersion treatment other than lightly spraying the substrate 2 to 3 times a day after receiving it. Since it has already undergone sufficient low-temperature stress during the pre-distribution stage and a temperature return process during shipping, mushroom pins will sprout uniformly throughout the substrate within an average of 2 to 4 days after opening.

[0067] < Comparative Analysis of Experimental Examples and Control Groups >

[0068] To verify the effects of the present invention, a control experiment was conducted as follows.

[0069] ● Experimental group (present invention): Oak sawdust substrate was refrigerated at 3.5℃ for 48 hours and then shipped at room temperature of 20℃ for 48 hours.

[0070] ● Control group (Conventional technology): Continuous storage and shipping of the same medium at room temperature (20℃) without low-temperature treatment.

[0071] item Experimental group (applied to the present invention) Control group (conventional method) Improvement effect Time required for the first mushroom to sprout 2.5 days after receipt 6.8 days after receipt About 63% reduction Yield uniformity (deviation) ±8.5% ±24.2% Uniformity increased 2.8 times Total weight of the first harvest 450g (based on 1.2kg of culture medium) 365g (based on 1.2kg of medium) Increase in yield by approximately 23% Small-grain cultivation success rate 98.2% 82.1% Significant reduction in failure rate

[0072] Experimental results confirmed that in the experimental group to which the present invention was applied, not only was the mushroom fruiting time dramatically advanced, but the standard deviation of the yield was also significantly reduced. This suggests that low-temperature stress is a powerful tool for consistently synchronizing the growth rhythm of the mycelium.

[0073] In addition, as a result of maintaining high humidity during the low-temperature treatment process, a secondary effect was observed in which the mycelial density on the surface of the culture medium became denser, improving resistance to external contaminants (such as blue mold) by more than 15%. This contributes to extending the warranty period by preventing contamination issues that may occur during shipping.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described above with respect to limited embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and changes and modifications to the present invention are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the claims of the present invention, and such changes and modifications should be deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention as equivalents.

Claims

Claim 1 (a) a medium preparation step of preparing a medium inoculated with mushroom spawn by culturing it under dark conditions at 22 to 25°C for approximately 40 days until the surface of the medium turns brown and matures; (b) a low-temperature dormancy induction step of applying low-temperature stress to the mycelium by refrigerating the prepared medium at a temperature range of 2 to 5°C for 24 to 72 hours; (c) a room-temperature delivery step of initiating metabolic activation of the mycelium by packaging the refrigerated medium in a general packaging material that excludes heat retention or insulation treatment and delivering it at room temperature, thereby inducing a gradual temperature rise due to the external temperature during the delivery process; and (d) a fruiting activation step of inducing mushroom fruiting through the temperature deviation stimulus accumulated from the low-temperature dormancy induction step to the room-temperature delivery step by opening the packaging by a consumer and exposing it to an indoor environment; characterized by comprising: a low-temperature cultivation and distribution management method for a mushroom cultivation kit. Claim 2 A method for low-temperature cultivation and distribution management of a mushroom cultivation kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative humidity inside the refrigeration facility during the (b) low-temperature dormancy induction step is maintained at 90% to 95%. Claim 3 A method for low-temperature culture and distribution management of a mushroom cultivation kit according to claim 1, wherein the (c) room temperature delivery step is performed for 24 to 48 hours under external temperature conditions of 15 to 25℃, and as the internal temperature of the medium returns from a low temperature state to a room temperature state during the delivery process, the hydrolytic enzyme activity inside the mycelium and the expression of specific stress-response proteins are promoted. Claim 4 A method for low-temperature cultivation and distribution management of a mushroom cultivation kit according to claim 1, wherein the general packaging material comprises an inner packaging material for accommodating the mushroom culture medium and an outer packaging box for accommodating the inner packaging material, and the outer packaging box does not include an insulating material, a thermal insulation material, or a refrigerant. Claim 5 A method for low-temperature cultivation and distribution management of a mushroom cultivation kit according to claim 1, wherein the culture medium comprises a composition including 70 to 80 weight% oak sawdust, 15 to 20 weight% wheat bran or rice bran, 1 to 3 weight% gypsum, and 1 to 2 weight% calcium carbonate, and wherein the moisture content of the culture medium is 60% to 65%.

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