Mushroom Spawn Production Technology（3）

After sterilizing your substrates or culture media, the next critical step in spawn production is inoculation—introducing mushroom cultures into sterile containers. This step must be done in a contamination-free environment, or the entire batch may be compromised. In this article, we compare two widely used tools for maintaining sterility during inoculation: the inoculation box and the laminar flow workbench.

1. Inoculation Box (Sterile Box)

Structure and Design

An inoculation box, also known as a sterile box or glove box, is a compact, enclosed workspace designed to isolate the working area from surrounding air. It is often made of wood and glass or transparent plastic, and typically has the following features:

• Dimensions: Approximately 120 cm (length) × 60 cm (width) × 60 cm (height), with a base height of 75 cm

• Two front-facing access ports with fabric sleeves for hand insertion

• Transparent glass windows at the front and back for visibility

• Lighting installed at the top for internal illumination

Advantages

• Simple and Low-Cost
  Easy to build and maintain, suitable for mushroom farms or cooperatives.

• Fully Enclosed
  Offers good protection against drafts and airborne contaminants.

• Good for Small Batches
  Especially useful when preparing mother spawn and primary cultures.

Limitations

• Restricted internal space limits the scale of operations

• Requires manual disinfection before each use

• Not suitable for high-throughput inoculation

2. Laminar Flow Workbench (Clean Bench)

How It Works

A laminar flow bench uses HEPA filters to blow clean, filtered air in a consistent direction across the workspace. This unidirectional airflow keeps airborne contaminants away from the working area. Two common types of airflow are:

• Horizontal laminar flow (air moves sideways across the work area)

• Vertical laminar flow (air moves downward)

Components

• Pre-filter and HEPA filter

• Fan and static pressure chamber

• Working platform

• Support stand or mobile base

Advantages

• Highly Effective Air Filtration
  Removes spores, dust, and microbes, maintaining a sterile environment.

• Easy Operation
  No need for constant chemical disinfection during use.

• Compact and Mobile
  Can be moved and adjusted easily within a lab or cleanroom.

Limitations

• Higher Cost
  More expensive than an inoculation box, and filters need periodic replacement.

• Limited Work Area
  Workspace may be too small for bulk spawn operations.

• Requires Electricity and Maintenance

Which One Should You Use?