GREEN ISLAND, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecovative announced today that it is opening access to a major European patent to all individuals and businesses who wish to use its MycoComposite™ mycelium materials in their own innovations and businesses in Europe. The company’s renewable material offers a nontoxic, planet-friendly alternative to plastics and other fossil fuel-derived materials.

Ecovative’s MycoComposite invention enables the manufacturing of products that are free of forever chemicals and other toxic substances like formaldehyde. This patent outlines a strategic blueprint for the creation of eco-friendly and renewable mushroom mycelium composites, offering a promising solution to curtail CO2 emissions across diverse industries and combat the escalating climate crisis.

"The goal of Ecovative has always been to provide the 'picks and shovels' for a new generation of businesses realizing the potential of mycelium technology," says Ecovative co-founder and CEO Eben Bayer. "The growing demand for environmentally beneficial products and processes is creating immense new opportunities not to reinvent the wheel, but to change what the wheel is made of, and we're excited to see the new discoveries and scalable solutions made with this versatile technology, for the benefit of Spaceship Earth."

The European Open Patent Program for MycoComposite is intended to encourage innovation in plastic-free products. The patent is already in use around the world in protective packaging, construction materials, architecture and innovative applications to replace petrochemical use. Several successful businesses have already been launched using MycoComposite, notably Loop Biotech which makes a popular line of mycelium coffins and urns.

"Loop Biotech has seen firsthand the huge demand for innovative, planet-friendly solutions enabled by mycelium materials," said Bob Hendrikx, founder of Loop Biotech, which uses MycoComposite material to produce sustainable coffins and urns. "I started this company to help humanity leave a positive footprint on the Earth, which is only possible when we collaborate with living organisms like fungi."

A sharp rise of interest in Europe for entrepreneurial applications of MycoComposite make it an ideal environment to test the potential of open access patents to spur an increase in innovations and businesses around mycelium technology. MycoComposite licensing and partnership opportunities will continue to be available outside of Europe supported by Ecovative’s state-of-the-art spawn and substrate facilities. The company owns numerous patents and patent applications related to mycelium manufacturing and product development globally.

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Source Ecovative

GROWTIME, an expert in the area of increasing the productivity of mushroom farms, is developing its flagship products: the PASCAL and NEWTON mushroom picking lorries are getting even better.
For people who have not yet had contact with GROWTIME’s mushroom picking lorries, it's worth mentioning that they are high-end devices that increase the profitability of mushroom farms by automating, facilitating and accelerating mushroom picking.

New product features include:
● Green energy – an innovative system for recovering electricity by charging batteries while braking the drives (thus creating the so-called green energy).
● Controller temperature monitoring system – a solution that controls the temperature of electronic components controlling the device, which guarantees their protection from potential damage.
● Incident communication system – a system informing (through the remote control and the control box) about the arising situation related to, for example, overload of a given drive or low battery charge, etc.

If you have not yet explored the possibilities of GROWTIME’s mushroom picking lorries, we encourage you to visit their product pages:
● PASCAL mushroom picking lorry – https://growtime.eu/en/produkt/pascal-picking-trolley/
● NEWTON mushroom picking lorry – https://growtime.eu/en/produkt/newton-picking-lorry/

Find out how such solutions can increase the profitability of your mushroom farm as well!

Mushroom foraging is an important part of Slovenian culture, to the extent that it is among the nation's favourite pastimes. And knowledge of mushrooms, built over generations, continues to expand as new species and uses for mushrooms are discovered.

Dating back to the settlement of Slovenian lands by ancient Slavs, musroom foraging remains strongly rooted in Slovenia, as well as in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy, less so in the south of the Balkans, says mycologist and mushroom forager Bojan Arzenšek.

In the past forests mostly welcomed the poor who picked mushrooms for everyday food but later people were increasingly drawn to them by curiosity and the desire to research - and eat - mushrooms.

In Slovenia, known for its woodlands, a true paradise for mushrooms is the north-western region of Gorenjska, especially the Pokljuka and Jelovica plateaus, the steep hills by the Sora River and the Karavanke Mountains. Some years, the area around Ljubljana is also rich in mushrooms, according to Arzenšek.

More than 5,000 species of fungi have been identified in Slovenia, 111 of which are endangered and 41 protected. Around 50 new species are discovered every year. "You never know behind which bush you'll find a special mushroom," Arzenšek said.

"These are not just mushrooms you stick in a pot like porcini, chanterelle or parasol mushrooms, but also those that bring out the researcher in us, amateur mycologists," he added.

Some mushrooms are used in folk medicine, says Arzenšek. They have antibacterial, antiviral and antitumour properties and can strengthen the nervous and immune systems.

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In the competitive realm of mushroom farming, achieving perfection is the key to success. However, striving for excellence in harvesting efficiency often requires guidance from seasoned experts. Don't worry; UMDIS has you covered. Its upcoming training course is tailor-made for ambitious growers like you, promising a fast track to unprecedented yields.

Mushroom harvesting course — who, when and where?

Led by the accomplished instructor, Lina Turovska, who effortlessly manages six farms across America, UMDIS' mushroom harvesting course is a three-day immersion into cutting-edge techniques for optimizing your harvesting process. Expect to learn methods that can boost your yields by an impressive 5–8 kilograms of mushrooms per square meter!

In order to accommodate various schedules, the organisers decided to organise two events, which take place later this month: one from September 11-13, 2023, conducted in both English and Polish and another from September 18-20, 2023, conducted exclusively in English.

Just like the staff and equipment, the locations have been carefully selected to provide maximum value to the participants. By signing up you’ll get the opportunity to visit Sopinscy Uprawa Pieczarek, which is the largest farm in Europe, as well as the exceptional Wierzbno Mushroom Farm.

Learn while using GROWTIME’s top-of-the-line equipment

At GROWTIME, we're passionate about advancing the mushroom growing industry. We don't just produce equipment; we share the expertise to make the most of it.

We’ve partnered with UMDIS to conduct a theoretical and practical session on the optimal operation of our modern mushroom picking trolleys. These trolleys are designed with the most demanding customers in mind, and now you can master their potential.

Ready to take your mushroom farming to the next level? Sign up today and learn from the best in the business! Visit our website to read more about the upcoming training course and to check out GROWTIME’s state-of-the-art lorries, which will be in action during the events.

Z Natural Foods is excited to unveil their latest innovation: Organic Instant 7 Mushroom Coffee (Black).

Harnessing the power of nature's best healers, Organic Instant 7 Mushroom Coffee (Black) features an all-star lineup of organic mushrooms, including Lion's Mane, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, and Red Reishi. Each mushroom brings unique wellness attributes, from cognitive support to immune system enhancement.

"Our aim was to create a product that blends the pure taste of organic coffee with the health advantages of these extraordinary organic mushrooms," said Jonathan Parker, Director of Nutrition Science at Z Natural Foods. "We believe that nature provides the best ingredients for a balanced lifestyle, and this new Organic Mushroom Coffee exemplifies this philosophy."

Please read the full article here.

Source: PR Newswire / Z Natural Foods

Growing mushrooms above ground and sprouting soybeans are two entrepreneurial efforts looking to make plant-based protein ingredients more nutritious, affordable and sustainable.

Mush Foods, Ltd., Rehovot, Israel, a portfolio company of the Strauss Group Kitchen FoodTech Hub founded in 2021, now offers a 50CUT mycelium protein ingredient system to reduce the animal protein content in meat products by 50%, said Shalom Daniel, co-founder and chief executive officer of Mush Foods. The ingredient requires no agricultural land and uses minimal energy and water, according to the company. Cultivation does not depend on season or climate.

A binder and whole protein, the mushroom mycelium needs no added binders and offers an umami flavor and a fleshy meat-like texture as well as fiber, vitamins and minerals, Mr. Daniel said.

The company so far has developed 50CUT beef and 50CUT chicken. Pilot plants will be built in the United States. Company plans are to launch sales in the first quarter of 2024.

Read the full article here.

Source: Food Business News

From September 18 to 22, 2023 it's the Fungal Disease Awareness Week.

Many people are affected by fungal diseases at various times in their lives. For example, inhaling mold spores can cause diseases such as histoplasmosis, blastomycosis or valley fever.

Fungal diseases are increasing worldwide. This is due to the increase in the Earth's temperature which can allow infectious fungi in the environment to grow in new areas that were previously too cold. Changes in climate can also cause fungi to evolve, threatening the emergence of new fungal infections. For example, the Candida Auris epidemic (the hospital fungal infection!) would be the first to be caused by climate change. The fungus is known for its extreme resistance, its super-fast spread and the high mortality rate of patients who become infected with it.

Of course, not all molds are poisonous, but some molds are known to be capable of producing toxins (mycotoxins). Eating or inhaling these toxins can lead to a yeast infection.

Despite all we now know about how mold causes diseases, misdiagnoses still occur and can cost lives. Also the fact that people are increasingly becoming resistant, there are only limited available antifungal medications. This means that it is more common that fungal diseases cannot be treated.

This week should ensure that the world population becomes aware of the fact that inhaling or eating mold spores can have fatal consequences.

Source: Mushroom Matter