Exploring the Fungi World: Our Mission and Maria's Insight
As I ventured into the woodlands of North York Moors National Park, surrounded by the towering presence of trees and the rich scent of damp soil, my first expedition into the world of mushrooms began. The thrill of anticipating mushrooms of interest filled me with a blend of excitement and a hint of anxiety. The nervous energy soon transformed into sheer excitement as we stumbled upon the presence of a Paxillus mushroom within a few minutes of our foray, an ectomycorrhizal mushroom of interest. This unexpected find set the stage for an adventure filled with surprises and the magic of mycology.
Once we secure the fungal samples, our journey transitions to the laboratory, where the mycology task truly takes root. Here, we isolate the mycelium from the fruiting bodies onto petri dishes eventually leading to pure fungal cultures. We then use liquid fermentation to grow fungal biomass before it is incorporated into the Rhizopellet, our final product.
As a part of the collecting team and also being a laboratory technician, my task was not merely about collecting a species of interest. I adopted the perspective of the lab team and envisioned the processes that the specimen would go through in the lab. I realised that not every mushroom proves an ideal candidate. Some mushrooms bear the scars of nature's cycle—maggot-ridden or softened within, and these would present quite a challenge in the isolation process. This approach led me to majorly select mushrooms of the highest quality, those certain to be successfully isolated in the lab. In this journey from woods to laboratory, my role was also about curating a selection that aligns with the requirements of the meticulous lab work.
As a novice forager, identifying relevant species was a challenging task. Species like Laccaria were easily missed to my untrained eye. Nevertheless, by the end of the trip my skills evolved and distinguishing between the numerous waxcaps, inkcaps, Milkcaps, to Chanterelles, Boletes and Russulas was almost second nature. This journey also became a valuable chapter in my ongoing education in the realm of identifying ectomycorrhizal tree species—an area where my proficiency was limited before this adventure.
Embarking on this mushroom journey was not only a professional endeavour, but also a treasure trove of exciting discoveries and newfound knowledge. Amidst our exploration, the contagious enthusiasm of my passionate colleague was a highlight. Observing the excitement of uncovering numerous Porcini, a culinary delicacy, vividly portrayed the infectious energy that characterises a dedicated forager. Uncovering the commercial value of Boletes highlighted the intersection of foraging for culinary delight. A highlight of the trip was encountering the Amanita muscaria, flourishing in its natural habitat. The sheer abundance of these notoriously poisonous mushrooms was visually striking.
The pinnacle of success of the trip was marked by the ample discovery of Suillus and Paxillus mushrooms, so abundant that we had to bypass some. These two species, the main focus of all our collection trips, symbolised a significant contribution to the broader mission at Rhizocore Technologies. There was a sense of pride in actively participating in the company's work on a larger scale, turning each mushroom into a valuable piece of the intricate puzzle we are assembling in the world of mycology.
All in all, the immersive experience beyond the laboratory and into nature was incredibly satisfying. This excursion also ignited a sense of anticipation for future discoveries and expeditions within the company. Contributing to the work at Rhizocore, and resonating with nature, felt like playing a part in cultivating a sustainable future. This foray also reinstated the company’s mission of uncovering the secrets hidden within the mycelial network, one mushroom at a time.
