Processing of a pure mushroom mycelium – a new victory of AS-4

The AS-4 unit once again showed the universality.

We already repeatedly had to process so-called "mushroom blocks" – a substratum for cultivation of the mushrooms (oyster mushrooms, champignons, etc.). The AS-4 unit successfully coped with drying of such raw materials, including even arrived to us in the form of ice blocks.

Absence in raw materials of any organic filler was difference of this experiment from previous. The pure mycelium - raw materials of high humidity with high protein content was subjected to experimental processing. The mycelium humidity of 70% which had initially a jelly consistence during transportation turned into ice. The first attempt of its drying wasn't successful: pieces into which it was succeeded to break contents of barrels, were very large (not less than 10 cm in the diameter), humidity – high because of what productivity of drying crushing process was low. The main problem was that the protein sticking to working bodies of the AS-4 Unit didn't give to "flour" the chance to leave the AS-4, the dried-up product stuck round an internal surface of the unit, without reaching the qualifier.

In coordination with the Customer experiment was continued on the technology offered by us. First of all, the raw material was refrozen in the heated room. Then some options of mix of a mycelium with wheat bran in various proportions were prepared. This decision had to provide not only decrease in humidity to an optimum indicator from the point of view of energy efficiency of process, but also decrease in stickiness of raw material.

The forecast came true: now drying and the subsequent granulation took place successfully and in the regular mode. Sticking didn't happen. The received granules have a glossy surface without cracks and swellings, beige color and a pleasant grain (bread) smell. Existence in a ready-made product of cellulose and a large amount of valuable proteins allows assuming a great demand on this product as from formula-feed plants, and livestock farms.