Immobilised mushroom starter cultures - comprising hyphae, spores and/or mycelia in polymer matrix contg. filter

Immobilised mushroom starter cultures comprise: (a) an inorganic and/or organic polymer matrix; (b) mushroom hyphae, spores and/or mycelial aggregates; (c) an inorganic and/or organic filler; (d) opt. water-soluble and/or -insoluble nutrients; and (e) opt. biocides. Pref. the matrix is a Ca alginate gel, but may also be a natural polymer (e.g. opt. modified cellulose or starch, dextran, agar, a protein gel, agarose, carrageenan, pectin or guar) or an Si, Al and/or Ti hydroxide gel. The filler is a material (I) described as amorphous, porous, gas-filled, water-insoluble aluminium/alkali metal/alkaline earth metal silicate aggregates with a density of 0.1-3 kg/l a particle size of 0.001-0.5 mm. Water-insoluble nutrients comprise natural plant materials, e.g. sawdust, straw and starch powder. Soluble nutrients comprises natural carbohydrates, e.g. maltose, sucrose, molasses, starch hydrolysate, cellulose hydrolysate and malt extract. USE/ADVANTAGE - The cultures may be used to grow mushrooms by inoculating biodegradable materials, e.g. wood, straw, compost, manure, wood scraps, bark, bark mulch or garden waste.