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Kharn
Betrayer of Skalathrax


Registered: 04/04/20
Posts: 6
Last seen: 2 years, 9 months
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Potentially dumb agar question
#26649147 - 05/04/20 08:48 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Using MEA seems to be almost the standard here. I've been reading through many an agar tek and everyone uses light malt extract (or golden light, as it is sometimes called at homebrew shops). Most people add some sort of food coloring to make the contams show up easier. Now for the potentially dumb question...
Why not use a darker malt extract? Maybe amber or dark. It would, theoretically, remove the need for food coloring (unless one uses it for color coding, as some do), and possibly add different/maybe better nutes for the myc.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Is this just a dumb idea? Would this be worth an experiment by someone with more agar experience than I?
I've only just begun my mycological journey and have made one set of (terrible) Pastyplates. Sure is fun, even if I have a long way to go.
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Hobbit GDF
Deadhead



Registered: 02/14/19
Posts: 3,385
Loc: Terrapin station
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: Kharn]
#26649155 - 05/04/20 08:52 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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No your right. It be darker. But colors cool. And for coding , recipes, ect.. I do batches in color to tell what's oldest and it does help see contams.
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Moower
The Hatter



Registered: 02/21/20
Posts: 90
Loc: Deep in the rabbit hole
Last seen: 9 months, 1 day
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: Hobbit GDF]
#26650013 - 05/05/20 07:58 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I use extra dark malt extract. So far only 8 plates, but all of them colonized no problem.
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Htaeh
Immortal


Registered: 10/14/18
Posts: 320
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: Moower]
#26650021 - 05/05/20 08:01 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I think for agar (although depends on what you intend to do with the plates) is generally better to have less nutrient rather than a lot, to encourage the myc to grow out further in search of food.
-------------------- "To write is to wage war" ~ Voltaire "The Drug Medical System cannot bear examination. To explain it would be to destroy it.." ~ R.T. Trall M.D. "A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity." ~ Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658), Spanish philosopher "We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the US public believes is false." ~ William J. Casey, 1981 "Fear always works to influence the population, when the population is uneducated." "The secret of freedom lies in educating people, the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant." ~ Maximilien Robespierre "Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." ~ Frederick Douglass
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poisoned
untitled



Registered: 04/17/13
Posts: 1,738
Loc: Yurop
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: Htaeh]
#26650097 - 05/05/20 08:37 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Dark malt extract isn't more nutritious. Actually, it could be less nutritious, since it's caramelized.
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woofwoof
such mushrooms!



Registered: 01/04/19
Posts: 1,127
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: poisoned]
#26650101 - 05/05/20 08:39 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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makes me want to brew some beer...mmm...homebrew is delicious
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Htaeh
Immortal


Registered: 10/14/18
Posts: 320
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: poisoned]
#26650143 - 05/05/20 09:19 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I wouldn't actually have a clue so fair enough, I use potato flakes or brf.
-------------------- "To write is to wage war" ~ Voltaire "The Drug Medical System cannot bear examination. To explain it would be to destroy it.." ~ R.T. Trall M.D. "A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity." ~ Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658), Spanish philosopher "We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the US public believes is false." ~ William J. Casey, 1981 "Fear always works to influence the population, when the population is uneducated." "The secret of freedom lies in educating people, the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant." ~ Maximilien Robespierre "Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." ~ Frederick Douglass
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mushpunx
Fungus Punk



Registered: 04/20/14
Posts: 13,394
Last seen: 10 days, 17 hours
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: Htaeh]
#26650171 - 05/05/20 09:34 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I just use LME. I don't use color though. I mix my agar up so it comes out relatively clear, and I pour at the right temp so I don't get condensation in my plates , it's easy enough to see contams.
--------------------
 Amateur Mycologists United AMU Q&A
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Htaeh
Immortal


Registered: 10/14/18
Posts: 320
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Re: Potentially dumb agar question [Re: mushpunx]
#26650196 - 05/05/20 09:45 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yeah not been doing agar too long now, but already deciding to give up on food colouring. The myc breaks down the constituents of the food colouring and turns it clear soon after anyway lol, I have tried three different brands of colouring too. My batch without food colouring, imo, was by far the best and I noticed contams on three jars quickly.
-------------------- "To write is to wage war" ~ Voltaire "The Drug Medical System cannot bear examination. To explain it would be to destroy it.." ~ R.T. Trall M.D. "A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity." ~ Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658), Spanish philosopher "We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the US public believes is false." ~ William J. Casey, 1981 "Fear always works to influence the population, when the population is uneducated." "The secret of freedom lies in educating people, the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant." ~ Maximilien Robespierre "Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." ~ Frederick Douglass
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