Guar Gum Experiment

In order to conduct this experiment GIY Mushroom Material was obtained. All other materials were cleaned with rubbing alcohol, (70% Isopropyl Alcohol). Rubbing alcohol was used because mycelium needed a sterile environment (7). Everything was sprayed with alcohol including tables, gloves, mixing glass, and even the air. All materials used were cleaned because it protected the mycelium from competing with other organisms. Mold could have been floating in the air or bacteria from touching the face could have affected the mycelium`s growth (8). Every time a person touched anything that was not sterilized, they had to be sprayed with the rubbing alcohol (70% Isopropyl Alcohol) to avoid mold growth. After the environment was sterilized, the GIY
All 4 cups had the same amount of NYC tap water, being 80 ml. The control that was named “positive” was given the most Guar Gum of 15g. Two cups were then categorized as “Experimental 1” and “Experimental 2”. “Experimental 1” had 5g of Guar Gum while “Experimental 2” had 10g of Guar Gum. Lastly, the fourth cup was named the “negative” and given no Guar Gum. The different amounts of Guar Gum were to observe the varying effects on the shape of the cups. All cups were placed in ziploc bags and two holes were punctured on the top of the bag to allow respiration. They were put in an area at room temperature for 1 week. After 4 days, 6 holes were then added to the ziploc bags, that were holding the GIY cups, to increase the indirect airflow, making a total of 8 holes per bag. On the 5th day, the GIY material was put into new ziploc bags, with an equal amount of punctured holes as the previous ones, to provide a cleaner environment. When the GIY material was put into new bags, the cups were flipped over and emptied so that the material would be the only object in the bags in order to achieve a greater indirect flow of air throughout all of its