Protocol Document
Substrate Chemistry: Buffering Strategy.
This page is the exact formulation and rationale layer behind the catalog specs. Values shown here are the same published numbers used on product pages, with explicit chemistry intent and derivation math.
Published Formulations
5 lb Fortified Masters Mix (Substrate)
Composition: Hardwood Pellets + Soy Hulls (1:1)
Fortification: Gypsum (CaSO4*2H2O) + Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Batch formula: 450g hardwood + 450g soy + 10g CaSO4*2H2O + 10g CaCO3 + 1350g water
3 lb Hydrated Grain Bag
Composition: Red Winter Wheat
Fortification: Gypsum (CaSO4*2H2O) + Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Batch formula: 653g wheat + 6.5g CaSO4*2H2O + 3.3g CaCO3 + 707g water
250 ml Liquid Culture Expansion Broth
Formulation: Maltoferm + Dextrose + Soy Peptone + Yeast Extract + KH2PO4 + MgSO4
Per-jar actives: 2.5g maltoferm + 2.5g dextrose + 0.5g peptone + 0.25g yeast + 0.125g KH2PO4 + 0.05g MgSO4
Why Each Amendment Is Used
- - Gypsum (CaSO4*2H2O): contributes calcium and sulfur while improving particle separation and reducing compaction/clumping in hydrated solids.
- - Calcium carbonate (CaCO3): buffering input used to resist acid-side pH drift through active growth windows.
- - LC mineral/amino additions (peptone, yeast, KH2PO4, MgSO4): maintain nutrient availability and ionic support so growth is not dependent on only sugar concentration.
Chemistry Inputs -> Function (Quick Reference)
CaSO4*2H2O
Mineral support + improved physical grain/substrate separation
Masters: 10g, Grain: 6.5g
CaCO3
Buffer input to resist acid-side drift during high metabolic phases
Masters: 10g, Grain: 3.3g
Maltoferm + Dextrose
Primary LC carbon pool for expansion kinetics
2.5g + 2.5g per 250ml
Peptone + Yeast
Nitrogen/vitamin support for non-sugar-limited broth behavior
0.5g + 0.25g per 250ml
KH2PO4 + MgSO4
Phosphate/magnesium ionic support in LC media
0.125g + 0.05g per 250ml
Derivation Math (From Published Values)
Masters Mix Hydration Check
Dry mass = 450 + 450 + 10 + 10 = 920 g
Total mass = 920 + 1350 = 2270 g
Water fraction = 1350 / 2270 = 59.47% (reported as 60%)
Amendment loading on dry base: gypsum 1.09%; CaCO3 1.09%.
Grain Hydration Check
Dry mass = 653 + 6.5 + 3.3 = 662.8 g
Total mass = 662.8 + 707 = 1369.8 g
Water fraction = 707 / 1369.8 = 51.61% (reported as 52%)
Amendment loading on dry base: gypsum 0.98%; CaCO3 0.50%.
LC Active Solids Density
Total actives per 250 ml jar = 2.5 + 2.5 + 0.5 + 0.25 + 0.125 + 0.05 = 5.925 g
Equivalent concentration = 5.925 g per 250 ml = 23.7 g/L.
Data Confidence and Boundary
All figures above are copied from customer-facing product specifications and directly derived arithmetic from those same values.
Public protocol documentation is formula-transparent and method-transparent; internal lot worksheets and raw QC logs remain controlled production records.
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