Introduction
The main objective of this project was to engineer Xylaria Nigripes in vivo on MEA agar media ( RPI Products -15 grams LME, 18 grams agar agar, 2 grams yeast, 2 grams bacterilogical peptone) After media was sterilized for 45 minutes with presto 23 quart sterilizer the plates were poured once agar cooled to 100-110F. Fresh tissue of the underground xylaria nigripes sclerotia was cultured at 31 C in a reptile incubator sealed with parafilm for 1 week. Slight growth began around day 5 with larger fruiting bodies appearing within 2-3 weeks. After about 12 months the xylarian fruiting bodies are still in tact and have not changed visually or physically. Fruiting bodies of Xylaria Nigripes formed densely around the entire grain bag and including the center. High incubation temperatures were crucial to the success of this project.
Materials used for the production of xylaria nigripes included mea agar plates, one pound grain bag with .02 micron filter patch, incubator from vevor, thermohelix sterilizer, #7 scalpel blade, fresh xylaria nigripes fruting body foraged in Wuling mountains-across Hunan Hebei, Guizhou, And Chongqing.
The term “Wu ling Shen “is used to describe the medicinal mushroom Xylarai Nigripes. Xylaria Nigripes is a sacred remedy for nerve repair, insomnia, stress, and many other ailments. The name Wu ling refers to the Wu Ling mountain range in central China. This region is known for supporting various medicinal fungi from china.
3. Results: Tissue cultured on low nutrient agar media was done with a incubator set to 29 degrees F. No signs of growth were documented prior to warmer temperatures this mushroom requires warmer temperature and is known to produce sclerotia like a magic truffle during summer months in mountain regions far from populated areas.
Step 1: Sample of the wild Xylaria Nigripes was foraged from isolated location in China. (must remain refridgerated during transport to avoid spoilage)
Step 2: The fungus was sprayed with alcohol and split down the middle for cloning. The mushroom skin has a strong and tough surface that needs to be cut with a scalpel to start the process. After the sample was cut in half tissue was extracted from the center and placed on multiple culture dishes.
one pound grain bags begun to colonize with mycelium and fruiting bodies. These images depict a canopy of xylaria fruiting in grain bag. This is the most pure form of the mushroom, every xylaria nigripes product on the market currently employs a fermented culture of the mycelia. Wild harvested X. Nigripes is not only time consuming, but extremely difficult, dangerous and hard to find. The goal of this research was to create a sleep product with mushrooms produced in united states to create a local more trackable supply chain.
Xylaria Nigripes is a unique mushroom in the Ascomycota phylum (in the Xylariaceae family). Also known as Wu ling shen in chinese medicine this is a powerful mushroom used in decoctions to treat insomnia, anxiety, depression, and stress by calming the mind and regulating the nervous system. We believe the fruiting bodies of Wu Ling shen in 500 mg doses delivers the most optimal relief for getting better rest and reducing stress overall.