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shymanta
Mad Scientist


Registered: 01/27/05
Posts: 907
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Experiment for mold resistant casings
#6349663 - 12/08/06 11:16 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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I would like to suggest an experiment. I'll be trying it my self but not right away. So, maybe someone else has already or know more about it. Its based on a page I came across while searching for herbal info concerning a. calamus. Here's the basic run down.
It seems a calamus extract can kill some molds (see below). What I'm wondering is there is a certain level of concentration that would allow desired mycelium to thrive (possibly after developing a resistance similar to that of H2O2) while being potent enough to fend off competing mold that hasn't had chance to adapt to the calamus extract.
The experiment might be designed in three stages:
Stage one - testing the mycelium's ability to adapt to a range of concentrations 0.01 - 0.15 % as mentioned below. If it can adapt we move on, if not... 
Perhaps adaptation can be done with a low percentage in agar then more in spawn and the highest concentration in bulk or in the casing layer.
Stage two - testing effects on mold we know AKA the "Mean Green". If it kills it, great. If not... 
Stage three - try it out. Leave the casing un-protected or even try to contaminate it. If it works... Awesome! Its the miracle we've been waiting for. I'm one to believe in the unbelievable power of herbs but we may not get passed stage one.
Below is what I found on the web that sparked the idea.
Let me know what you think. Discuss. Criticize.
INHIBITORY EFFECT OF ACORUS CALAMUS L. EXTRACT ON SOME PLANT PATHOGENIC MOLDS Authors: P. Mungkornasawakul, D. Supyen, C. Jatisatienr, A. Jatisatienr Keywords: sweet flag, fungicide, medicinal plant, essential oil, β-asarone, antimicrobial effect Abstract: Dry and powdered rhizomes of Acorus calamus L. were extracted with ultrasonic bath using dichloromethane as solvent. Various concentrations (0.01-0.15 %) of the extract were determined for antifungal activity on PDA agar against Alternaria spp. isolated from leaf spot and Fusarium spp. isolated from wilt diseases of cruciferous vegetable, as well as Botrytis spp. isolated from gray mold rot of roses and Septoria spp. isolated from leaf spot of chrysanthemum. The results indicated that all of the molds examined were sensitive to Acorus calamus extract. The growth of all tested fungi was completely inhibited at the concentration of 0.10 % upward. Separation by preparative-TLC and guidance by TLC-bioassay using Cladosporium cladosporioides as a diagnostic fungus revealed an active compound that was identified as beta-asarone (cis-1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-(1-propenyl)-benzene) by GC-MS.
Source = http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=576_51
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure


Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: Experiment for mold resistant casings [Re: shymanta]
#6349816 - 12/09/06 12:23 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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I do know for a fact that trichoderma, cobweb and even mushroom spores will not germinate in the presense of Rhododendron leaves. I did some pretty wild experiments a few years ago where I tried to contaminate projects that had been protected with dried rhododendron leaves. They're a natural fungicide, that prevents spore germination, but doesn't harm live mycelium.
I've never tried calamus. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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Mateo_swe
Svampsnubbe


Registered: 11/18/06
Posts: 13
Loc: Sweden
Last seen: 14 years, 6 months
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Re: Experiment for mold resistant casings [Re: shymanta]
#6362098 - 12/12/06 03:43 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hmm intresting. I did a lot of reading on aromatic essential oils some years ago. I dont remember reading anything about antifungal properties of asarone. I wonder if it is just asarone (steam destillated oil of calamus) or if other aromatic essential oils have the same fungicidal properties. maybee u can try sassafras oil, oil of dill, oil of nutmeg.
/Mateo
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tihkalpihkal
captain insano


Registered: 12/06/06
Posts: 161
Loc: The basement of the alamo
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: Experiment for mold resistant casings [Re: RogerRabbit]
#6366013 - 12/13/06 01:03 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Some species are poisonous to grazing animals. Some Rhododendrons have a toxin called grayanotoxin in their pollen and nectar. People have been known to become ill from eating honey made by bees feeding on rhododendron and azalea flowers. Xenophon described the odd behavior of Greek soldiers after having consumed honey in a village surrounded by rhododendrons. Later, it was recognized that honey resulting from these plants have a slightly hallucinogenic and laxative effect. The suspect rhododendrons are Rhododendron ponticum and Rhododendron luteum (formerly Azalea pontica), both found in northern Asia Minor. Eleven similar cases have been documented in Istanbul, Turkey during the eighties. from wiki
-------------------- Was the lockness monster in fact Jack the Ripper?
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