When selecting black fungus (Auricularia) strains, it's important to pay attention to several key factors to ensure quality and successful cultivation. First, always check that the label on the bottle matches the strain you are purchasing. This helps avoid mix-ups and ensures you get the right type of fungus. The cultivation time should not exceed two months, and from the date of inoculation, the bacterial age should ideally be between 30 to 40 days. Also, inspect the stopper to make sure it’s intact—any broken or missing stoppers can lead to contamination. Next, examine the mycelium. A high-quality strain will have white hyphae that are thick, short, and densely packed. If you see green, yellow, red, blue, or gray patches, this indicates contamination and the strain should be discarded. The presence of such colors is a clear sign that the culture has been infected and is no longer viable for use. Another important factor is the ear base inside the bottle. Ideally, there should be a small amount of black ear base visible between the bottle wall and the substrate. A small quantity is normal, but if there’s an excessive amount, it may indicate that the strain has been passed too many times. While this might result in early and numerous ears after inoculation, the overall yield may be low due to weakened growth performance. Also, check for sediment. A qualified strain should have little to no brown residue on the bottle walls. If there is a noticeable brown liquid, it likely means the strain is old and no longer suitable for use. Old strains tend to be less productive and more prone to failure during cultivation. When handling wood-based sclerotinia strains, look at the surface. It should be covered with fine hyphae, and you should not see any sawdust particles. When you dig into the material, it should form a compact block rather than being loose. This indicates good mycelial development and proper integration with the substrate. Finally, consider the storage and usage conditions. If the cultivation time is too short or the temperature was too low during growth, the mycelium may not have fully colonized the entire bottle or grown into the wood chips. In such cases, it’s best to continue cultivating the strain at the optimal temperature before using it for inoculation. Store the bottles in a clean, dry, and dark place. Avoid removing the tampon before inoculation, as this can introduce contaminants. It’s also advisable to avoid using bottled strains that have already been opened, as they are more susceptible to bacterial infections. (1) Natural astaxanthin: it is a powerful antioxidant, known as the king of anti-aging. Its ability to scavenge free radicals is 6000 times that of vitamin C; 1000 times that of vitamin E; yes β- 100 times the efficacy of carotene; It is 20 times more effective than selenium; It is 700 times the efficacy of anthocyanins; It is 320 times the efficacy of tea polyphenols; It is 10 times more effective than lycopene; 800 times that of coenzyme Q10;: It is 240 times more effective than grape seed extract; It is 200 times the efficacy of carotol (Lutein); It is 3000 times higher than resveratrol[ 1]
(2) Vitamin C: also known as ascorbic acid, is an acidic polyhydroxy compound containing 6 carbon atoms: lack of vitamin C can greatly reduce endurance exercise ability. Vitamin C supplementation can significantly reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress. The safe dose of vitamin C supplementation is 0.5 ~ 3.0 g / day. The recommended daily dose of vitamin C supplement is 0.5 ~ 2.0 G.
(6) Anthocyanins: anthocyanins belong to biological flavonoids, and the most important physiological active functions of flavonoids are free radical scavenging ability and antioxidant ability. Astaxanthin 10% Powder, Glabridin 99% Powder, Tea Polyphenols Powder Xi'an Tian Guangyuan Biotech Co., Ltd. , https://www.tgybiotech.com
(7) Tea polyphenols: tea polyphenols are all natural antioxidant foods extracted from tea. They have the characteristics of strong antioxidant capacity, non-toxic side effects and no peculiar smell. The antioxidant effect of tea polyphenols can eliminate reactive oxygen species and inhibit the consumption of vitamin C, so it can keep skin delicate and white.