Fungal mycelium cultivation systems and methods

Abstract

A method of cultivating mycelia using a cultivation system includes positioning a growth element inside a controlled environment chamber, introducing a liquid growth medium from a liquid reservoir onto a surface of the growth element using a pump system, circulating the liquid growth medium through the growth element, and controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber to induce mycelial growth on the growth element.

Description

FUNGAL MYCELIUM CULTIVATION SYSTEMS AND METHODSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to and claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 542,344, entitled “Fungal Mycelium Cultivation Systems and Methods / ’ filed October 4. 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to fungus cultivation, and more particularly to cultivating basidiomycetes mycelia directly from liquid culture media using porous structures.BACKGROUND

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, these statements are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is or is not prior art.

[0003] Mushrooms hold immense significance across various domains, from culinary delights to medical breakthroughs. With a rich history spanning cultures and civilizations, mushrooms have not only served as a nutritional source but have also contributed to traditional medicine and cultural practices. Beyond their culinary allure, mushrooms are known for their ecological role as essential decomposers in natural ecosystems, aiding in nutrient cycling and maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Moreover, modem scientific research has unveiled the potential of mushrooms in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and environmental solutions. Their unique properties, including bioactive compounds and rapid growth, have led to discoveries ranging from antibiotic development to bioremediation of pollutants. In recent years, the growing interest in sustainable agriculture and the search for alternative protein sources has ignited a resurgence of interest in cultivating mushrooms as an environmentally friendly food option. As our understanding of mushrooms continues to expand, their multifaceted importance becomes increasingly evident.

[0004] Basidiomycete mycelia refer to the vegetative, filamentous, and often branching structures of fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota. Basidiomycota is one of the major phyla of fungi and includes a wide range of fungi, some of which are well-known, such as mushrooms, puffballs, and bracket fungi. Mycelia are the mass of thin, thread-like structures called hyphae that make up the body of a fungus. These hyphae collectively form the mycelium, which is responsible for the fungus's growth and nutrient absorption. The mycelium plays a crucial role in the life cycle of basidiomycetes, as it is responsible for obtaining nutrients from the environment, breaking down organic matter, and sometimes forming mutualistic associations with plants.

[0005] In basidiomycetes, the mycelia are often found underground or within the substrate they are growing on. When conditions are favorable, such as when there is enough moisture and the temperature is adequate, basidiomycete mycelia can give rise to the reproductive structures known as basidiocarps. These basidiocarps can take various forms, such as mushrooms or shelf fungi, and they produce basidiospores, which are the spores responsible for the dispersal and reproduction of the fungus.

[0006] The increasing demand for mushrooms in the global market calls for innovative and sustainable cultivation methods that can streamline production processes and improve efficiency. The inventors of the present disclosure have endeavored to meet those needs.SUMMARY

[0007] Described herein are systems and methods for cultivating and growing fruiting mycelium in a commercially viable manner. Particularly, the improved systems and methods relate to growing fungal mycelia hydroponically directly from liquid culture media, eliminating the need for traditional solid granular substrates. In one embodiment, a method of cultivating mycelia using a cultivation system is described. The cultivation system can include a liquid reservoir, a pump system, and a growth element. The growth element can include a porous body defining a central cavity. The method can include various acts, such as positioning the growth element inside a controlled environment chamber, introducing a liquid growth medium from the liquid reservoir onto a surface of the growth element, circulating the liquid grow th medium through the growth element, and controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber to induce mycelial growth on the growth element. In some embodiments, after circulating the liquid growthmedium through the growth element, the method can include re-circulating the liquid growth medium back to the liquid reservoir.

[0008] In other embodiments, prior to positioning the growth element inside the chamber, the method can include placing an organic material into the central cavity of the grow th element. The organic material can include at least one of activated carbon, w ood, straw, or wheat bran. In some embodiments, after controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber to induce a mycelial growth, the method can include initiating fruiting of the mycelial growth or harvesting the mycelial growth.

[0009] A mycelium cultivation system is also described. The system can include a liquid reservoir containing a liquid growth medium therein, a pump system fluidly coupled with the liquid reservoir, and a growth chamber. The growth chamber can include a growth element having a main body coupling a top portion with a bottom portion, the growth element of w hich can be formed of a porous material and can defines a central cavity w ithin the main body. The growth chamber can further include an inlet at the top portion of the growth element, and the inlet can be configured to fluidly couple with the liquid reservoir. The growth chamber can further include a fungal inoculum positioned on a surface of the growth element. In some embodiments, the pump system can be configured to selectively transfer the liquid growth medium from the liquid reservoir to the growth element via the inlet of the growth element.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim this technology, it is believed this technology will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a mycelium cultivation system having an open-loop nutrient delivery' system;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mycelium cultivation system of FIG. 1 taken along cutting plane A-A, showing an internal filling material within the porous growth element;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic diagram of a mycelium cultivation system having a closed-loop nutrient delivery system;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart representation of one method of cultivating mycelia using a cultivation system; and

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of an experimental mycelium cultivation system having a closed-loop nutrient delivery system and multiple ultraviolet lighting elements.

[0016] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the technology' may be carried out in a variety' of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present technology, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the technology; it being understood, however, that this technology' is not limited to the precise arrangements shown, or the precise experimental arrangements used to arrive at the various graphical results shown in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The following description of certain examples of the technology should not be used to limit its scope. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the technology. As will be realized, the technology described herein is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the technology7. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0018] It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0019] Modem industrial mushroom cultivation incorporates diverse techniques to meet global demand. Traditionally, mushroom growers have relied on complex substrates and meticulous control of environmental conditions to foster optimal mycelial growth. While these methods have been foundational to the mushroom industry7, they present several challenges that hinder scalability and cost-effectiveness. The preparation and management of solid substrates in traditional mushroom cultivation can be labor-intensive, timeconsuming, and resource demanding. Additionally, these processes may lead to inconsistencies in mycelial grow th and overall yield.

[0020] More specifically, using solid substrates for mushroom cultivation presents a series of drawbacks that existing cultivators must navigate. Despite their effectiveness as growth mediums, solid substrates exhibit limitations that can impact cultivation outcomes. The confined surface area of solid substrates restricts the potential for robust mycelium colonization and mushroom formation, potentially leading to reduced yields. Uneven nutrient distribution w ithin these substrates can result in unequal grow th and hinder optimal mushroom development. The susceptibility to contamination by competing microorganisms and molds is heightened in solid substrates, posing challenges for maintaining sterile conditions. Additionally, the slower colonization rate necessitated by mycelium penetration extends cultivation times, elevating the risks associated with contamination and resource utilization. The significant quantities of raw materials required for solid substrates contribute to higher resource demands, while the disposal of spent substrate raises waste management concerns.

[0021] Additionally, the need for precise environmental controls further adds to the complexity of traditional cultivation practices. For example, bag cultivation involves sealed plastic bags filled with substrate contributing to plastic waste and low yields and could be labor-intensive for larger scales. Despite having some advantages, these techniques present challenges as well. Maintaining sterility is vital to prevent contamination that affects yields, and waste generation is a concern, particularly with single-use bags. Balancing efficiency, sustainability7, and contamination control remains pivotal. Innovations that optimize resource use. minimize waste, and improve contamination management are needed to advance industrial mushroom cultivation sustainably.

[0022] Harvesting mushrooms from solid substrates can also prove labor-intensive, further complicating the cultivation process. As operations scale up, managing and sterilizing larger substrate volumes becomes intricate and resource intensive. Environmental considerations such as deforestation for wood-based substrates or resource intensive agricultural practices for substrates add to the complexity. Evaluating these drawbacks alongside the benefits is essential for cultivators to make informed decisions regarding solid substrate usage and explore alternative methods that align with their cultivation objectives.

[0023] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an advantageous hydroponic mushroom growing system and method for providing nutrients to mycelium without using conventional solid substrate materials. The improved systems and methods decrease or entirely prevent the resultant accumulation of contaminants, unwanted moisture, timeconsuming preparation steps, growth space consumption, and the systems and methods better support mycelium for multiple flushes.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a first example of a mycelium cultivation system (100). The system (100) includes various components such as a growth element (102), a fitting or coupling (104) configured to couple the growth element (102) to a tube (106), and a pump system (108). The pump system (108) may be a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, or any other pump fluidly coupled with a reservoir ( 122) holding liquid growth medium therein, and the pump system (108) may be configured to selectively transfer the liquid through the tube (106) to the growth element (102).

[0025] In some embodiments, the growth element (102) includes a structure having pores (110). In particular embodiments described herein, the growth element (102) is formed of a porous ceramic material having an open top section (112) for coupling with the fitting to receive liquid therefrom, a closed bottom section (114), and a main body (116) connecting the top section (112) with the bottom section (114). In some embodiments, the main body (116) is an elongated cylindrical shape, while it should be understood that the main body (116) and overall shape and size of the grow th element (102) may take many forms while still performing the same functions as will be described herein. The grow th element (102) may be formed to resemble a ceramic water filter, often referred to as a ‘‘ceramic filter candle,’" defining an inner cavity (see, FIG. 2) and a body surface having pores of, for example, around 0.2 microns to around 0.5 microns in size. The pore size of the growthelement (102) may be carefully selected (e.g., approximately 0.2 microns), depending on the application, to retain any possible contaminant and deliver pure nutrient solution to the mycelial mass. Accordingly, processes involving bulk substrate sterilization at high temperatures is avoided, therefore leading energy and time savings.

[0026] In another embodiment, the porous growth element (102) can be made from an activated carbon, such as a natural coconut shell, or similar medium which could support the growth processes described herein.

[0027] One optional variation of the system (100) is to utilize the free space inside the porous growth element (102) by using activated carbon or organics such as wood shavings to induce a microbiome support or the living mycelium outside the tube or the generation of complex nutrients or to study the possible interaction of anaerobic microorganisms inside the tube with the growing mycelium in the surface. To that end, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view' of the growth element (102), showing the optional contents positioned within the inner cavity (120). Specifically, an internal filling material (118) may be packed into the inner cavity (120). In some embodiments, the internal filling material (118) can include activated carbon granules, while in other embodiments the internal filling material (118) can include one or more other organic materials (or a combination thereol) such as wood shavings, straw, wheat bran, or any other organic materials which could support diverse microbes and facilitate symbiotic interactions between anaerobic microbes and the mycelium. The internal filling material (118) can further enhance mycelial growth by providing additional growth surface area and improved nutrient retention.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a second example of a mycelium cultivation system (200). The system (200) includes similar components and functions as system (100), such as a growth element (202), a fitting or coupling (204) configured to couple the growth element (202) to a tube (206), and a pump system (208) (e.g., a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, or any other pump operable to push liquid through the tube (206)) configured to supply liquid materials to the growth element (202) via the tube (206). Additionally, the lower end (210) of the growth element (202) includes an outlet coupling (212) coupled with an outlet tube (214). The outlet tube (214) further couples with a liquid reservoir (216). Finally, the liquid reservoir (216) is fluidly coupled with the pump system (208) via another tube (218). As such, the system (200) provides an open inlet (204) and outlet (212) for liquid media to be recirculated from the growth element (202) to the reservoir (216) and back to the growthelement (202) as necessary by selectively pumping the liquid through the tubes (206, 214, 218) via the pump system (208) (see, step 312 of FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the growth element (202) can define an ellipsoidal base instead of the typical circular one (not shown), or it may define a spiral body form (not shown) to more effectively pass the liquid grow th medium therethrough it tow ard the low er end (210).

[0029] The descnbed systems help to avoid the continuous challenge of substrate contamination that plagues traditional mushroom culture systems whereby toxic molds and anerobic bacteria may outcompete and contaminate the substrate systems. Thus, optionally with the described systems, the liquid nutrient solutions may be heat treated prior to use before being sterilized through the activity of the size exclusion properties of the ceramic growth elements (102, 202). Particularly, the systems (100, 200) provide antimicrobial filtration of nutrient sources before transport to the mycelial cell. In addition, ultraviolet (UV) LED lights (220, 222) can be included inside any one or more of the growth element (102, 202) or liquid reservoir (122, 216) (see, FIG. 3) and operable to sterilize the liquid growth media against unwanted microbial growth. For instance, the LED light (220) inside the growth element (202) may be positioned onto or adj acent to the top fitting (204) inside each growth element (202) and powered by wiring exiting from the top fitting (204) (not shown), and similarly the LED light (222) powered by wiring exiting the reservoir (216) (not shown). The UV illumination, which may be at. for example. 265 - 270 nanometer wavelength, reacts with DNA therefore causing direct toxic destruction of all microbes within the growth element (202).

[0030] The versatility of the porous tube method enables diverse mushroom species to be cultivated for food production, materials, or research purposes (e.g., basidiomycetes, yeast, molds etc.). The internal growth element composition and pore sizes allows anaerobic microbes to grow7inside the growth element tubes and symbiotically interact with the external mycelium. Activated carbon housed within the growth element tubes provides supplemental nutrition and helps induce fruiting and mushroom formation. By avoiding energy-intensive sterilization of bulk substrates, the process is more sustainable. The liquid nutrients and surface area contact lead to more rapid, consistent mycelial grow th kinetics. And the system reduces raw material waste compared to disposed solid mushroom substrates. Automated nutrient delivery provides precise moisture and nutritional control throughout cultivation. Lower risks of contamination improve overall yields compared totraditional practices. And the reusable growth element tubes and liquid systems are facile to clean for multiple growth cycles. The system also allows for different ceramic configurations depending on the growth requirements because elongated (ellipsoidal) growth element tubes, spiral grow th element tubes, growth element tubes with bifurcations all increase the contact area for growth. The versatility of this technique enables multiple options of growth depending on the requirements of each species and final application.

[0031] In an embodiment where a plurality of systems (100 or 200) is utilized, multiple growth elements (102, 202) may be incubated simultaneously in a large container with multiple holders, and fructification may be induced on multiple growth elements (102, 202) simultaneously using a manifold.

[0032] To cultivate mycelium growth using either system (100, 200), with reference to the method (300) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the first step (302) involves preparing a liquid growth medium that provides essential nutrients for robust mycelium growth. The growth medium may include a combination of organic and inorganic compounds, vitamins, minerals, and other growth-promoting substances specific to the targeted basidiomycetes genus or type. In one non-limiting example, a peptone solution (e.g., 1.4 g), com syrup (e.g., 20 g), yeast malt extract (e.g., 2 g), gy psum (e.g., 0.5 g), blue food coloring (e.g., 1 mL and water (e.g., 600 mL) may be combined. The composition of the growth medium can be adjusted to optimize the my celial growth rate and productivity. The liquid growth medium is then introduced into a reservoir or container (see, pump system (108)) coupled with the growth element (102).

[0033] Additionally, at step (304), the organic materials can be placed into the growth element, and at step (306) the growth element (102) is inoculated with a culture material (e.g., a liquid mycelium culture) to be cultivated and positioned within an environmentally controllable chamber. It should be understood that these steps may be carried out in reverse order. In some embodiments, the growth element (102) may instead be inoculated after the liquid growth medium is introduced into or onto the growth element (102) (see, step 308 below). The culture may contain one or more different mushroom species such as Shiitake, Oysters, Enokitake, Maitake, Lions Mane, Reishi, and / or Yeasts. Particularly, the liquid culture used can be a mixture of vegetative mycelium and a liquid nutrient solution.

[0034] Next, at step (308) the liquid growth medium previously prepared is pumped intoand / or onto the growth element (102) via the tube (106). In some embodiments, the liquid growth medium is spread on the surface of the growth element (102) using any spreading means and the growth element (102) is placed inside a closed chamber (see, FIG. 4) to ensure isolation and protection from contaminants during incubation. Cultured growth elements (102) can be positioned in incubation tents at 25 °C in the dark for approximately three weeks. Further, at step (310) the liquid growth medium is carefully pushed or circulated through the growth element (102) through the inlet coupling (104) by means of the pump system (108), allowing it to come into contact with the outer surface of the growth element (102). In some embodiments, such as for use with the system (200) of FIG. 3, the liquid growth medium may be re-circulated and reused at step (312). As the growth medium flows through the growth element (102) via the pores (110). the basidiomycetes my celia attach and propagate on the surface of the growth element (102). The activated carbon (118) within the growth element (102) further supports mycelial development, fostering a healthy and robust growth pattern. In one example, the pump system (108), tube (106) and inlet coupling (104) are configured provide the liquid growth medium at a rate of around 125 pL per hour. As described above, the growth element (102) serves as the physical support system for the mycelium, replacing the need for conventional solid substrates.

[0035] Simultaneous to the liquid growth medium being circulated through the growth element (102), at step (314) the environmental conditions around the growth element (102) are meticulously monitored and, at step (316) adjusted as needed throughout the incubation process to optimize mycelium growth. Factors such as temperature, humidity, light exposure, and air circulation are adjusted to suit the specific requirements of the targeted basidiomycetes genus or type. By providing an ideal growth environment, the invention ensures consistent mycelial growth and minimizes the risk of contamination. In some embodiments, the mycelium is configured to incubate in a dark grow' chamber at 20-30 °C. The above steps (308, 310, 312, 314, 316) are repeated at pre-determined intervals until, at step (318) the system or a user determines that the growth is complete.

[0036] Once growth is complete, in some embodiments, the additional step (320) of fruiting the mycelium may be initiated. In one example, gypsum may be added to the liquid media and the growth chamber set to 20-30 °C at 50 - 90% of relative humidity for fruiting. Additionally, fruiting may also include setting the growth chamber environment to provide3 - 12 hours of darkness, followed by 21 - 12 hours of light, with constant airflow. Finally, at step (322), the mycelium and / or fruits may be harvested.

[0037] As described above, traditional mushroom cultivation methods have historically relied on solid substrates composed of various organic and inorganic materials. One prevalent drawback in traditional cultivation lies in the dependency on solid granular substrates. The preparation and management of these substrates demand substantial resources, and the processes may be labor-intensive, time-consuming, space-restrictive, and resource-demanding. Additionally, solid substrates might limit scalability and lead to inconsistencies in yields. To that end, the described improvements represent a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of mushroom cultivation. By leveraging porous growth elements and organic filling material in the cultivation process, these advantageous systems and methods simplify the cultivation process and reduce costs, making this technology highly attractive for industrial-scale mycelia and basidiocarp production.

[0038] Following the systems and methods described above, particularly analogous to the system (100) of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 illustrates an experimental system (400) utilized to determine the effectiveness of UV lighting in preventing microbial contamination within the system (400). The system (400) is a closed-loop nutrient delivery system having a growth element (402) (i.e.. a ceramic tube), internal filling material (404) (i.e., activated charcoal), a pump system (406) (i.e., peristaltic pump), a fluid reservoir (408) filled with fluid (410) (i.e., nutrient reservoir with nutrient fluid illustrated therein), and LED lights (412) (i.e., UV lights) placed in each of the growth element and the nutrient reservoir. Also shown is mycelium growth (414) on the exterior facing surface of the growth element resulting from the operation of the system (400).

[0039] In this experiment, three otherwise identical experimental setups were tested: 1) a control setup including no UV light; 2) UV light activated only inside the nutrient reservoir; and 3) UV light activated in both the nutrient reservoir and ceramic tube. In each setup, known quantities of common contaminants (Trichoderma and Penicillium) were introduced into each system's nutrient solution. Each experiment was conducted for two weeks while daily samples w ere taken from the nutrient solution and ceramic tube surface. Microbial counts were recorded using standard plating techniques.

[0040] As for the results of the first setup, 100 CFU / mL were present on day 0 (i.e., the initial contamination), 10,000 CFU / mL were present on day 7, and 1,000,000 CFU / mL were present on day 14, indicating increasing contaminant levels over time. For the second setup, 100 CFU / mL were present on day 0 (i.e., the initial contamination), 500 CFU / mL were present on day 7, and 5,000 CFU / mL were present on day 14, showing reduced contamination as compared to the first setup. For the third setup, 100 CFU / mL were present on day 0 (i.e., the initial contamination), 50 CFU / mL were present on day 7, and 25 CFU / mL were present on day 14, showing significantly reduced contamination as compared to the first and second setups.

[0041] More particularly, the first setup (control system) showed exponential growth of contaminants as expected without UV sterilization. The second setup showed significantly reduced contamination compared to the control, with approximately 84.5% fewer contaminants by day 14. This suggests UV treatment in the reservoir is effective but not complete. The third setup showed the most promising results, with a 91.2% reduction in contaminants compared to the control by day 14. The continued decrease over time suggests ongoing sterilization effectiveness.

[0042] Reference systems that may be used herein can refer generally to various directions (for example, upper, lower, forward and rearward), which are merely offered to assist the reader in understanding the various embodiments of the disclosure and are not to be interpreted as limiting. Other reference systems may be used to describe various embodiments, such as those where directions are referenced to the portions of the device, for example, toward or away from a particular element, or in relations to the structure generally (for example, inwardly or outwardly).

[0043] While examples, one or more representative embodiments and specific forms of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive or limiting. The description of particular features in one embodiment does not imply that those particular features are necessarily limited to that one embodiment. Some or all of the features of one embodiment can be used in combination with some or all of the features of other embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, whether or not explicitly described as such. One or more exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosureare desired to be protected.

Claims

CLAIMSI / we claim:

1. A method of cultivating my celia using a cultivation system, wherein the cultivation system includes a liquid reservoir, a pump system, and a growth element inoculated with the my celia, wherein the growth element includes a porous body defining a central cavity, the method comprising:(a) positioning the grow th element inside a controlled environment chamber;(b) via the pump system, introducing a liquid growth medium from the liquid reservoir onto a surface of the growth element;(c) circulating the liquid growth medium through the grow th element; and(d) controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber to induce mycelial growth on the growth element.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising: after circulating the liquid growth medium through the growth element, re-circulating the liquid growth medium back to the liquid reservoir.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber includes adjusting the chamber to a temperature ranging from 20 to 30 °C.

4. The method of claim 1. wherein the at least one environmental condition includes at least one of temperature, humidity, light exposure, and air circulation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid growth medium includes a peptone solution, com syrup, yeast malt extract, and water.

6. The method of claim 1. comprising: prior to positioning the growth element inside the chamber, placing an organic material into the central cavity of the growth element.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the organic material includes at least one of activated carbon, wood, straw, or wheat bran.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising: after controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber to induce a mycelial growth, initiating fruiting of the mycelial growth.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein initiating fruiting of the mycelial growth includes adding gy psum to the liquid growth medium.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising: storing the chamber at temperature from 20 to 30 °C and from 50 - 90% relative humidity7.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising: providing the chamber from 3 - 12 hours of darkness followed by 21 - 12 hours of light.

12. The method of claim 1, comprising: after controlling at least one environmental condition within the chamber to induce a mycelial growth, harvesting the mycelial growth.

13. A mycelium cultivation system, comprising:(a) a liquid reservoir containing a liquid growth medium therein;(b) a pump system fluidly coupled with the liquid reservoir; and(c) a growth chamber, including:(i) a growth element having a main body coupling a top portion with a bottom portion, w herein the growth element is formed of a porous material and defines a central cavity within the main body,(ii) an inlet at the top portion of the growth element, wherein the inlet is configured to fluidly couple with the liquid reservoir, and(iii) a fungal inoculum positioned on a surface of the growth element; wherein the pump system is configured to selectively transfer the liquid growth medium from the liquid reservoir to the growth element via the inlet of the growth element.

14. The mycelium cultivation system of claim 13. comprising an organic material positioned within the central cavity.

15. The mycelium cultivation system of claim 14, wherein the organic material includes at least one of activated carbon, wood, straw, or wheat bran.

16. The mycelium cultivation system of claim 13, comprising an outlet at the bottom portion of the grow th element, wherein the outlet is configured to fluidly couple with the liquid reserv oir, wherein the pump system is configured to selectively transfer the liquid growth medium from the growth element to the liquid reservoir via the outlet.

17. The mycelium cultivation system of claim 13, wherein the growth element defines an ellipsoidal or spiral shape between the top portion and the bottom portion.

18. The mycelium cultivation system of claim 13, wherein the growth element is formed if a porous ceramic material.

19. The mycelium cultivation system of claim 13, comprising an LED light positioned inside at least one of the growth element and the liquid reservoir and selectively operable to emit an ultraviolet light therein.

20. A mycelium cultivation system, comprising:(a) a liquid container configured to hold a liquid growth medium therein;(b) a pump system fluidly coupled with the liquid container; and(c) a grow th chamber, including:(i) a porous ceramic material having a main body coupling a top portion with a bottom portion, wherein the porous ceramic material defines a central cavity within the main body,(ii) an organic material positioned within the central cavity,(iii) an inlet at the top portion of the porous ceramic material, w herein the inlet is configured to fluidly couple with the liquid container, andwherein the pump system is configured to selectively transfer the liquid growth medium held within the liquid container to the porous ceramic material via the inlet of the porous ceramic material.

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