Very often at biological faculties in universities (and even in ordinary schools) they are given a very unusual homework - to grow mold on bread. And this is not done for fun. And for the effective study of students and for the sake of a biological experiment. That is why very often you can meet the question of how to grow mold on bread.
What is this?
Before you start solving the task, you need to clearly understand what you have to work on. And for this you need to understand what mold is. First of all, it is a microscopic fungus. Many people think that mold is a bacterium. But studies have shown that this is still a fungus, the fruiting body of which is able to develop in almost any nutrient medium. For growing mold, you can use not only bread, but also other products. The main thing is to create optimal conditions for this. So, how to make mold on bread in no time?
Types of mold
At the moment, several varieties of microscopic fungi are known. These include black, yellow and gray mold. Some of the species are considered useful, such as red, white and blue. With the help of this mold, quite tasty cheeses are made. At the same time, such a product has many useful properties. First of all, this cheese contains protein, calcium and B vitamins. The use of such products has a positive effect on the state of the circulatory system, and also improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. However, lactating and pregnant women should not eat moldy cheeses.
Why does mold occur?
In everyday life, a person constantly encounters all kinds of mold on completely different products, as well as on things. A similar plaque is formed by a special type of fungus, the beneficial qualities of which a person has learned to use for good purposes. Some components are used in the manufacture of a certain group of medicines and products. It is worth noting that mold can develop in conditions that are optimal for humans. For a microscopic fungus, the presence of a nutrient medium is important. And then the matter is small.
Why bread?
Mold on bread is quite common. Even the most scrupulous hostess, after some time, the product is affected by a similar fungus. And this is not an indicator of untidiness. In fact, the development of a microscopic fungus requires a nutrient medium that is rich in carbohydrates, as well as heat. Bread is an ideal food for mold growth. After all, it is rich in carbohydrates and is kept warm.
If there is no bread in the house, then formold cultivation can use fruits and potatoes.
How should bread be?
Since you need to grow mold on bread quickly, you should prepare everything you need in advance. To create an optimal environment for the growth of microscopic fungus, it is not at all necessary to buy fresh pastries. Even an old piece of bread is perfect for this. At the same time, many experts argue that it is better to use white pastries for growing mold: a loaf or a bun.
To speed up the process, you must place the product in a room with humid and warm air. And to slow down the growth of microscopic fungus, it is worth moving a piece of bread to a dry and cold environment. The process itself consists of only a few steps.
Stage one
Mold on bread, the photo of which can be seen below, appears a day later, if a piece of white bread is moistened a little in water and then placed in a plastic bag. However, do not tie it tightly. In this case, the package must be transparent. Such a structure of the material will allow you to see if mold has appeared on the bread and what color it is.
First of all, spores affect the crust of the flour product, and only later the crumb itself. If even a small crack appears on the bread, then it is from this place that the product will begin to mold, gradually moving to the inner region. In this part, the humidity is higher, microscopic fungus spreads much faster.
Mold spores contribute tothe fastest decomposition of the crumbs. As a result, the bread loses its pleasant aroma and taste. A denser crust on the product does not allow the fungus to penetrate inside. Probably, many have noticed that bread sold in bags does not get moldy for a very long time. The thing is that this product contains preservatives that do not allow the fungus to develop. Therefore, for the experiment, you should not take such a product.
Stage Two
Since it is very difficult to make mold on bread under intense lighting, the bag with the product must be placed in a dark place. The first spores of a microscopic fungus will appear in a day. However, it will be quite difficult to see them with the naked eye. Usually these are barely noticeable threads that are hidden between the pores of the bread.
After a few days, the mold on the bread will become more noticeable. Initially, a microscopic fungus will appear as almost imperceptible light spots. Gradually, they will darken and increase in size until the surface of the bread is hidden under a layer of mold.
The growth of the fungus does not end there. After a few more days, a green coating will appear, which will gradually change its shade. As a result, black mold forms on the bread. A similar phenomenon indicates that the microscopic fungus feels great under the created conditions and decided to increase the colony with its own spores.
Can I eat moldy foods?
Even white mold on bread is poison. Any product withmicroscopic fungi should be discarded immediately. The most dangerous is yellow mold. It seemed to be a harmless fungus. But in fact, mold can cause cancer to grow.
Of course blue cheese is an exception. In addition, the microscopic fungus in this case is specially prepared, and it is noble. However, eating regular moldy cheese is dangerous.
What should I do if I ate a product with mold?
So, what to do if you accidentally ate moldy bread? Many people are indifferent to this. But you should not look at this through your fingers. Of course, a person will not die from such a supplement in the diet. But still it is considered poisoning. First of all, the liver suffers from this.
Usually, after eating products with mold, doctors recommend drinking regular activated charcoal. The dosage of the drug depends on the weight. For every ten kilograms, you need to drink one tablet.
If a large amount of spoiled product is eaten, then you should drink a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will clear the stomach. For safety net, it will not be superfluous to drink a course of a drug that helps restore liver cells.
In conclusion
Mold on bread, photographed under a microscope of which amaze with its beauty, is a sign that the product is environmentally friendly and was suitable for consumption. It should be noted that such microscopic fungi do not multiply in a polluted environment. When conducting an experiment, it should be taken into account that the usualunleavened bread becomes moldy much faster than flour sweet products. This is due to the fact that these products contain preservatives. Such components slow down the development of the fungus.
Do not forget that mold harms our body. Scientists have found more than 100 toxic compounds in foods coated with this fungus. Eating such food can lead to serious problems. Toxins that have entered the body may not appear for a long time. However, after a few decades, they will be the main reason for the intensive growth of cancerous tumors. It is worth noting that even heat treatment does not rid products of harmful compounds. Therefore, moldy food must be thrown away.
