OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR
UNICORN Imp & Mfg Corp was started in 1990. Manufacturing takes place in a 27,000-square-foot facility in Plano, Texas.
UNICORN Imp & Mfg. Corp. manufactures its own bags and filtered membranes and also developed the machines it uses for the manufacturing of these breathable filtered bags. Its mission is to furnish specialty mushroom growers -world wide- with the best quality breathable bags at the lowest price.
This video shows a great variety of uses for filtered sterilized bags , with a high biocompatibility, with special filters from Unicorn Bags.
FILTERED STERILIZED BAGS
Unicorn Bags
We sell filtered bags for mycelium production, mushroom growing and the production of biological control agents. These bags are manufactured in the USA by UNICORN BAGS.
European distributors such as us, receive shipments from the USA regularly, and the main types of bags are in stock; therefore, we are able to comply with your orders quickly.
You can get in touch either through the Contact Form or by sending an email to info@cultivarhongos.com. We will help you choose the most appropriate bag for your needs.
There are two main types of bags: GUSSETED BAGS with pleated sides and PILLOW BAGS. Both types of bags are available in different sizes and various types of filters for gas exchange.
POLYPROPYLENE (PP) and POLYETHYLENE (PE) is the material used for the manufacturing of the bags.
- Polypropylene (PP) Bags are sterilized in an Autoclave.
- Polyethylene (PE) Bags, are not able to withstand the high temperatures needed for sterilization. Theses bags are sterilized through irradiation.
The area of the bag where the filter is needs to be perforated to allow for the gas exchange. Two types of perforation are possible:
- Only one hole which is the same size as the filter (L hole)
- Numerous tiny holes (Pin holes)
Gusetted Bags
GUSSETED BAGS WITH PLEATED SIDES
These filtered bags are used for mycelium production as well as for substrate production and mushroom growing. The pleaded sides allow, when the bags are full to remain vertical or standing.
The bags can be opened by hand or using automatic opening devices. Once weighed, the substrate is added until it has reached 50 or 60 % of its capacity. The next step is to fold the top of the bag and then to sterilize it. After cooling it, the bag is opened in a filtered sterile air stream (laminar flow), and then either the mycelium or the inoculums is added to the bag. Immediately, the bag is sealed and then shaken to mix the mycelium with the substrate. The bag is now ready for incubation.
Where the filter is located on these types of bags, there is only one hole which is the same size as the filter (L hole).
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GUSETTED BAGS ARE AVAILABLE IN 6 SIZES
Pillow Bags
PILLOW BAGS
These bags were designed for the production of mycelium and biological control agents.
More and more, all over the world, insect biological control methods are used on different crops. Entomopathogenic fungi are one of these biological control agents, which are usually produced by using PP bags. Nematodes are another biological control agent. Both, the fungi and the Nematodes, have a preference for very high gas exchange filters which allows them to obtain the most oxygen and minimize moisture loss.
The pillow bags, are manufactured in PP or PE and can be filled to 100% of its capacity. The PP bags are sterilized in an autoclave, and since the PE bags cannot be sterilized with an autoclave, the PE bags are supplied sterilized through irradiation.
Where the filter is located on these types of bags, there can be only one hole which is the same size as the filter (L hole) or numerous tiny holes (PIN holes).
DOWNLOAD PDF
THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF PILLOW BAGS; EACH OF THEM is manufactured IN 2 SIZES.
Multistrip 11, Unistrip 1 & Unistrip 2
MULTISTRIP 11
TYPES OF FILTER
- Types of filter: filter A in PP bags and filter Tv in PE bags
- Bag perforation in the filter area: 3 rows of small tiny holes or cuts
- The filter is located on the exterior of the bag
- The filter width is 0,75” / 2,2 cm
UNISTRIP 1
TYPES OF FILTER
- Types of filter: A, T, B or Tv
- The filter is located on the exterior of the bag
- Bag perforation in the filter area: pin holes (numerous and small holes) or L holes (only one large hole)
UNISTRIP 2
TYPES OF FILTER
- Types of filter: A, T, B or Tv
- The filter is located on the exterior of the bag
- Bag perforation in the filter area: pin holes (numerous and small holes) or L holes (only one large hole)
Filters
IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY
It is essential for the filters to maintain a clean atmosphere in the interior of the bags.
The second property that the bags must have, is the exchange of gasses, which is determined by the percentage and size of the tiny holes on its surface.
The filter choice depends on several factors: Mushroom species, the volume of oxygen needed, when this oxygen is required and the characteristics of the facilities …
The PP UNICORN BAGS utilizes filters manufactured with polypropylene layers without being weaved. It is a plastic material able to withstand high temperatures and it can be manufactured in thin membranes containing microscopic holes. When the non-weaved polypropylene layers are created, the layers can be thermo-sealed in PP bags. Furthermore, the tiny holes in these bags are not reduced or enlarged when the usual sterilization temperature is used.
The PE bags utilizes a filter (Tv) manufactured with polyethylene layers without being weaved. The TYVEK is manufactured with PEAD (high density PE) and consequently, it cannot withstand high sterilization temperatures.
THE FILTERS UTILIZED WITH AUTOCLAVABLE PP BAGS
FILTER TYPE A
- Laminated with non weaved Polypropylene and a Polypropylene membrane
- Hole size: 0,5 microns
FILTER TYPE T
- Laminated with non weaved Polypropylene with PTFE
- Hole size: 0,2 microns; high efficiency gas exchange. The most suitable for mycelium production
FILTER TYPE B
- Laminated with non weaved Polypropylene with PTFE
- Hole size: 5 microns
FILTER TYPE TV
- Laminated with non weaved Polypropylene
- Hole size: 0,2 microns
- Filter utilized in PE bags which cannot be autoclavable
OTHER AUTOCLAVABLE PRODUCTS
Polyethylene tissue culture containers with caps
CONTAINERS WITH FILTERED CAPS
- The diameter at the top is 11 cm
- The diameter at the bottom is 9,5 cm
- The height is 4,5 cm
- The capacity is 240 ml
Bag clamps – Re-sealable
- The clamps seal the bag opening hermetically
- The clamps are autoclavable and reusable
- The clamps allow for easy verification of the sterilization results, as well as the mycelium characteristics without cutting it and being able to be resealed
Advantages of bags
FILTERED UNICORN BAGS
- They remain soft and easy to seal after the thermal treatment in the autoclave at 125 ºC
- Several sizes and filters can be chosen
- They allow a suitable gas exchange, but limit water vapor so the mycelium does not dehydrate
- They provide a perfect environment for mushroom growth
- They can be utilized for fungi and nematode production which are used biologically in insect control
