Pestalotiopsis Microspora (Plastic Eater) Mushroom Liquid Culture$15.00
Availability: In stock
Pestalotiopsis Microspora (Plastic Eater) Mushroom Liquid Culture
$15.00
Looking for the best Pestalotiopsis Microspora (Plastic Eater) Mushroom Liquid Culture around? Our Liquid Culture is carefully monitored until the solution is 90% colonized, then pulled to keep it fresh in the syringe until it gets to you!
| Species | Pestalotiopsis microspora |
| Difficulty ℹ️ | ??? |
| Spore Coloration | Blackish-Brown |
| Ecology | Parasitic |
| Edibility | Unknown |
Pestalotiopsis microspora is a species of endophytic fungus capable of breaking down and digesting polyurethane. Originally identified in fallen foliage of common ivy (Hedera helix) in Buenos Aires, it also causes leaf spot in Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ (Hypericum patulum) shrubs in Japan.
Its polyurethane degradation activity was discovered in two distinct P. microspora strains isolated from plant stems in the Yasuni National Forest within the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest by a group of student researchers led by molecular biochemistry professor Scott Strobel as part of Yale’s annual Rainforest Expedition and Laboratory. It’s the first fungus species found to be able to subsist on polyurethane in anaerobic conditions. This makes the fungus a potential candidate for bioremediation projects involving large quantities of plastic.
Pestalotiopsis microspora was originally described from Argentina in 1880 by mycologist Carlo Luigi Spegazzini, who named it Pestalotia microspora.
In 1996 Julie C. Lee first isolated Torreyanic acid, a dimeric quinone, from P. microspora, and noted that the species is likely the cause of the decline of Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia), an endangered species that is related to the paclitaxel-producing Taxus brevifolia.
Some photos of this product in its wild-foraged form are sourced from iNaturalist, taken by Alan Rockefeller. Licensed by CC-BY4.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mushroom Liquid Culture is a nutrient solution with live mycelial bodies suspended in it. It comes in a filled 10cc syringe with a needle, and is entirely sterile!
Interested in making your own?! We offer our proprietary Liquid Culture mix right here
It sure is! Mushroom spores are the microscopic “seeds” of mushrooms.
Liquid culture is when those seeds have “taken root”, so to speak! Mushroom spores are very sturdy, and well suited to storage and transport.
Liquid culture offers you a way to add rocket fuel to your gourmet grows, and get to your desired fruiting bodies much faster!
Looking for spore syringes, instead of liquid culture? Head over here!
Keep your liquid culture ideally in the fridge for up to a year. You can also keep it in a cool dark place for 3~6 months.
Get yourself some substrate, an agar plate, or whatever medium you choose, attach the needle provided in your kit, and inject a small amount into your chosen medium!
If you any questions as to the density, sterility or other concerns about your order please reach out as soon as possible through our Help Center.
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Generally speaking, liquid cultures ships on the next shipping day. Check the calendar here!
Each kit comes with 10cc of sterile, live mycelium in nutrient solution and a single 18Ga needle for use.
Some photos on this page have been sourced from iNaturalist or Wikipedia, taken mark-groeneveld, Alan Rockefeller, Matthew Borella, Denis Zabin, kaju, Andrey Loria, Juan Carlos Pérez Magaña or others not yet added to this list. See a photo your recognize that isn’t properly credited? Get a giftcard for letting us know!
Can’t wait to get your hands on your spore syringes or liquid cultures? Head over to our help center to get the most up to date information on your order.