Spore Syringe, Liquid Culture, Print, or Swab? What to Use, When, and Why

The world of mycology can be confusing at first. A liquid culture is entirely different from a spore syringe, though they look alike and are often mixed up. 

A spore print, on the other hand, is one of the oldest collection and preservation methods. 

But it’s not the same as a spore swab.

So what makes each option different? When should researchers choose one method over another? Are there any pros and cons? 

We have all the answers and more below.

Understanding Spore Samples

Liquid cultures and spore solutions both look like clear fluid stored in syringes, but that’s where the similarities end. Upon closer inspection, researchers can usually differentiate one from the other. 

A spore print is a powdery deposit of fungal reproductive cells that fall naturally from a mushroom cap onto a surface underneath. The resulting pattern helps mycologists identify different fungi species.

Lastly, a spore swab is a cotton bud (like a Q-tip) scraped across a mushroom’s gills to collect spores. It’s a technique often used for strains like Penis Envy, which rarely disperse reproductive cells.

Let’s uncover the differences and best use cases behind each of these sampling methods.

Spore Syringes: Microscopy Made Easy 

A spore syringe is an injector tube with a Luer-lock needle filled with thousands (or even millions) of fungal spores. These tiny black specks are suspended in a sterile solution and sealed.

Spore vials or syringes can last for years when placed in an airtight container and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. They’re the easiest, safest way to transport, preserve, and use fungi cells for research.

Like prints, these syringes often vary in coloration and spore density, depending on the mushroom species.

Some mycologists make their own syringes by scraping the tiny reproductive cells from a spore print into a sterile container. They then add distilled water and mix thoroughly for even distribution before pulling the solution into a sterilized syringe.

These DIY samples are a fun and easy way to build a spore library. But contamination is always a risk unless they’re made in a sterile environment (like store-bought syringes).

A spore syringe is one of the best options for microscopy research. It’s easy to handle, convenient, and affordable with minimal wastage. Here’s how to get started: 

• Shake the syringe vigorously to distribute the cells evenly.
• Place a drop of the liquid onto a glass slide before putting a cover slip over it.
• Next, place the slide onto the microscope stage.
• Explore! Measure, analyze, take photos, and have fun.

Liquid Cultures: Live Mycelium for Gourmet Mushrooms

A liquid culture (LC) syringe is also an injector tube with a Luer-lock needle. It’s filled with live mushroom mycelium suspended in a sterile, nutritive solution. 

While spore syringes consist of ungerminated reproductive cells, LC injectors contain a mushroom’s next life cycle stage: mycelium.

If spores are like plant seeds, then mycelium is akin to a seedling. 

That’s why cultivators prefer liquid cultures for edible gourmet mushrooms. They typically have quicker colonization times than starting from spores. Their shelf-life is shorter, though, lasting about six months when refrigerated.

LCs are made by combining germinated spores with a nutrient-rich yet sterile solution. After brewing, the inoculant fluid is pulled into a new syringe. 

While multispore liquid cultures are common, isolated, single-strain LCs are usually preferred for growing gourmet mushrooms. 

As for research, LCs are a fun way to see mycelium in action. But this excludes any psilocybin-containing species; which are illegal to grow in the US and various other countries.

Spore Prints: Identification and Investigation Tools

A spore print is a patterned imprint made by collecting a mushroom’s reproductive cells onto a surface like paper or foil. 

It’s a useful taxonomy and research tool, indicating spore color, cap shape, and size of a particular mushroom species. 

Mycologists make and use these prints to help identify fungi, log their foraging finds, and build up their sample libraries. They’re unique, fascinating, and easy to create but aren’t the best choice for research and microscopy.

It’s impossible to control the potential contaminants present during making, storing, and using spore prints. Microorganisms and harmful bacteria can infect them, even in a clean environment. 

Stored correctly, these gorgeous imprints can last a few years, so they’re still valuable for sample collection and preservation. Nonetheless, most mycologists complement their research with sterile, store-bought spore syringes or swabs.

Spore Swabs: For Rare Samples from Nature

Some fungi species rarely drop spores, while others only disperse a small amount. 

That’s where spore swabs come in. They’re ideal for collecting fungal reproductive cells in short supply. Researchers typically use them when they can’t make prints or syringe solutions from a mushroom in the wild. Here’s how:

• Using gloves, sterilize all surfaces and tools before placing the mushroom cap down with the gills facing upward.
• Run a sterilized, medical-grade cotton bud gently between the mushroom’s gills, starting from the center outward. 
• Twist the swab as it runs along each crevice, ensuring the cotton bud’s surface is covered. 
• Repeat the process to create 5—10 spore swabs.
• Once collected, allow the cotton buds to dry out, which reduces moisture and minimizes bacteria.
• Place each one into a sterilized plastic slip before sealing it with medical tape and labeling it.

Use medical, high-grade buds for best results. They usually have pre-sterilized and closely-knitted fibers, a long handle, and a plastic slip.

The Best Option

Liquid cultures, spore syringes, swabs, and prints are all unique sampling methods, each ideal for specific circumstances. 

LCs contain live mycelium and are commonly used for culinary mushroom cultivation, experimentation, and microscopy. They’re unsuitable for research on exquisite, psilocybin-containing species, though, as such mushroom types are illegal to grow in the US.

But spore syringes are perfect. They’re easy to handle and have convenient storage and preservation methods. Plus, they’re entirely legal for research and taxonomy purposes.

Spore prints are also a great option, though the contamination risks are higher. Still, they’re fantastic identification tools, gorgeous, and fun to make.

Finally, spore swabs are incredibly useful sampling methods when “mushroom pollen” is in short supply.

Ultimately, the best option boils down to each mycologist’s preference and research purpose. 

High-quality genetics still matter, though. That’s why we only stock the best, so check out our spore store today.

Happy researching!