Types of Mycoremediating Mushrooms

	White Oyster Pleurotus ostreatus (TC-14)Found on a poplar stump in Clemson, SC in January, this cold tolerant strain (Fruiting bodies found frozen and viable) has exhibited strong activity against herbicide degradation, namely Atrazine, with the suspected ability to degrade many more. Can be used in solid state or liquid molecular disassembly experiments and trials. Can be used in: CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor (TVERS-2)The common Turkey Tail fungi have recently been found to degrade a wide spectrum of different chemical compounds, namely chlorinated, polychlorinated, aromatic hydrocarbons, and many more. Turkey Tails have also exhibited strong anti-bacterial activity against coliforms and presumably many other environmental pathogens will follow suit. This hardwood isolate (Oak) should be used to colonize hardwood chips to achieve the biomass necessary for mycoremediation trials in both solid-state and liquid culture. Can be used in: CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor (TVERS-3)The common Turkey Tail fungi have recently been found to degrade a wide spectrum of different chemical compounds, namely chlorinated, polychlorinated, aromatic hydrocarbons, and many more. Turkey Tails have also exhibited strong anti-bacterial activity against coliforms and presumably many other environmental pathogens will follow suit. This conifer isolate (Eastern Red Cedar) should be used to colonize conifer chips to achieve the biomass necessary for mycoremediation trials in both solid-state and liquid culture. Can be used in: CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	Trainwrecker Neolentinus lepideus (NLEP-1)Given the name “Trainwrecker” for the ability of this native fungus to colonize and degrade railroad ties, withstanding the antifungal nature of creosote. Our strain was isolated from fresh treated lumber with the barcode still attached! Perfect for studies involving the degradation or tolerance to copper fungicides, copper arsenate, and other antimicrobial mechanisms. This strain can also possibly be used to compost chipped treated lumber, rendering it into a usable garden product, minimizing the toxic effects and keeping it out of the landfills and watershed. Can be used in: CHEMICAL  Mycoremediation
	Hairy Panus Lentinus strigosus (LSTR-1)This beautiful, fuzzy little Lentinus colonizes hardwood sawdust and chips. Also a sun-tolerant species for full sun applications where shade is a limiting factor. Recent studies from Brazil have shown very high activity and inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chaga’s Disease, killing approximately 20,000 of the infected individuals in tropical climates every year, mostly in Central and South America. A possible candidate for other water-borne inactivation of other pathogens epidemic to world health such as Cholerae (Vibrio cholerae). A unique and promising species! Can be used in: BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	Gloeophyllum sepiarium – (GSEP-1)A brown-rot polypore, this small bracket fungus was isolated from freshly cut conifer stumps in South Carolina. Also found growing on treated pine lumber, this fungal isolate can be used in similar fashion to the Trainwrecker, for studies involving the degradation or tolerance to copper fungicides, copper arsenate, and other antimicrobial mechanisms. This strain can also possibly be used to compost chipped treated lumber, rendering it into a usable garden product, minimizing the toxic effects and keeping it out of the landfills and watershed. Can be used in: CHEMICAL Mycoremediation
	Jack O’Lantern Omphalotus illudens – (OILL-1)  Bioluminescent mushrooms possess the ability to produce Luciferase, a enzyme responsible for the glowing, which is an ATP / Phosporylation pathway. This pathway can be useful for studying the effects of chemical pollutants, organophosphate runoff from herbicides and fertilizers, and other naturally or man-made compounds. Applications for chemical filtration I soild-state and liquid mycofiltration units are possible. ALSO this strain exhibits strong antimicrobial properties against numerous bacteria and molds in vitro, which gives it the flexibility of hybridizing a biological and chemical filter in one! Can be used in: CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	King Stropharia Stropharia rugoso-annulata – (SRA1)Probably the most commonly used mushroom for establishing mycofiltration barriers capturing runoff contaminated with coliforms, E.coli, and other biological contaminants threatening sensitive watersheds and improving water quality. Other applications are for grey water filtration systems and anywhere where biological pathogens are present and needed to be reduced. Grows on hardwood chips, making it a perfect candidate for creating a porous, myceliated biomass with a high flow rate to increase contact time. Can be used in: BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	Macrocybe titans – (MTIT1)A rare tropical mushroom of CONSIDERABLE size, this fungus defeats all attempts by bacterial and insect invasion of it’s tissue, implying a strong antibacterial and insecticidal properties. A unique strain that is cold sensitive and should only be used in warmer climates, this isolate holds much promise for investigating unique compounds associated with livestock and human pathogens, along with agricultural pests. Also associated with the colony collapse of tropical ants. Can be used in: BIOLOGICAL Mycoremediation
	Brick Top Hypholoma sublateritium – (HSUB1)A common inhabitant of fallen hardwood logs and chips, this group, as a genus, has shown activity against organophosphates and other agricultural or industrial compounds. Although an edible, this species resembles a close cousin H. fasciculare, which is poisonous if consumed. This strain typically fruits in the winter, giving it the metabolic advantage of cold season remediation of contaminated soils and water. Can be used in: CHEMICAL Mycoremediation

Paul Stamets: Founder of Mycoremediation

Paul Stamets was the man who coined the term Mycoremediaiton. Paul Stamets has been a mycologist for over 30 years and has received much attention from the mycology community. He has also won many awards such as the “Bioneers Award” in 1998, the “Founder of a New Northwest award”, and he received the Presidents award from the society for ecological restoration: Northwest chapter back in 2010, along with many more. Paul Stamets has written six books on mushroom cultivation use and identification.  He has conducted much research in advancing the field of mycoremediation.  He is also an invaluable person in the field of mycology to help promote the use and importance of mycoremediation

How to Grow Mushrooms?

There are many different options when it comes to growing mushrooms. Some people preferred to have spores, which I “seeds” of mushrooms. While other people prefer premade kits. Mushrooms have been known to have a picky nature; they require specific temperatures and humidity to be grown at. This is why for a dinner growers it would be recommended that they start by using a kit. Which can be bought anywhere including local hardware stores or online. A website such as shop.mushroommountain.com would be a place where you could purchase such kits.  After learning the temperament of mushrooms and then it would be recommended that you move on to growing from spores.

What is Mycoremediation?

Mycoremediation is the ability for fungi specifically mushrooms to priest enzymes that are capable of breaking down complex, toxic, or pathogenic organisms/ molecules. Mushrooms are able to filter many different types of toxins from the soil because of their root system which is called mycelia. Since fungi are the decomposers of the ecosystem they are made to adapt and be opportunistic towards environmental disasters/changes. Since these organisms are still opportunistic they are easily trained to target specific toxins which is what mycoremediation’s main concern is today and terms of research.