Centre of Research and Service for the Production of Nutritional and Medicinal Mushrooms (CISPHoCoMe)
Laboratory Members:
• Lic. Leticia Villalba
• Eng. Cristian Starik
Obtaining a competitive product is achieved from a material of high purity and genotype stabilization combined with adequate management strategies. For this reason, setting up the laboratory was considered as part of the objectives to be accomplished by the Program.
The laboratory develops a technological package which is transferred to producers by means of courses, assistance, workshops, etc; and a product for consumption, the inoculum, taken from highly pure materials with a stable genetic constitution combined with proper management strategies.
At the present, the lab constitutes the main focus of the program, being the centre for development and transfer of technology, not only to producers in Neuquén province but also to other producers in the country.
The activities developed are based on:
*Maintenance and introduction of genetic material.
* Ecophysiological characterization of the material.
* Germplasm characterization based on productivity.
* Optimization strategies for the development of secondary inoculum.
What are the purposes of CISPHoCoMe?
• To collect, analyze and draw strategies for solving problems related to production.
• To develop methods so as to improve facility profitability.
• To promote production based on technology transfer to enable companies growth.
• To encourage increase in mushroom consumption on account of its high nutritional value and excellent nutraceutic and nutriceutic qualities which make it a good functional food and source of pharmacologically active substances.
Inoculums for comestible and medicinal mushroom production
The first steps to achieve the commercial cultivation of comestible and medicinal mushrooms begin at the lab.
Laboratory staff inoculates cereal grains with mycelium of the species to be cultivated until a viable product is obtained. These grains turn into the inoculums that the producer uses as “seed”.
See strains produced in laboratory
Lines of Investigation
1. “AXENIC CULTIVATION OF SHIITAKE IN NEUQUÉN”
The general objective is the development of cultivation techniques in order to use non-conventional substrates and to stimulate the competitive saprophytic ability of Shiitake mushroom.
2. “USE OF REGIONAL RESIDUES FOR MUSHROOM CULTIVATION”
At the present, tests are carried out to prove the use of the following residues:
• Grape stalk (Winery residues)
• Wood chips from fruit trees with seeds ( Fruit industry residues)
• Pine shavings ( Wood industry residues)
Pending Patents
Chemical pasteurization protocol for substrates enriched with organic nitrogen sources.
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