Today on Mushroom Hour we have the humbling privilege to speak with Tom Volk, Professor of Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Specializing in Mycology and Forest Pathology, Tom teaches courses on Mycology, Medical Mycology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Food & Industrial Mycology, Advanced Mycology, Organismal Biology and Latin & Greek for Scientists. His website, Tom Volk's Fungi has a popular "Fungus of the Month" feature, and an extensive introduction to Queendom Fungi. Besides dabbling in mushroom cultivation, Tom has worked intimately with the genera Morchella, Cantharellus, Hydnellum, Armillaria and Laetiporus, a lineup of edible varieties that will make every forager’s mouth water. He has also embarked on several medical mycology projects, investigations into prairie mycorrhizae, mycoprospecting, and fungi that are involved in coal formation. He also has conducted fungal biodiversity studies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Alaska, and Israel. Having lectured in 35 states so far, Tom is a popular speaker at many amateur and professional mycological events throughout North America, including NAMA and NEMF forays. Not the least of his accolades, Tom was named President of the Mycology Society of America in 2017.

Topics Covered:

An Obsession with Mycology is born
Forest Pathology
Primary & Secondary Metabolites
Evolutionary Origins of Metabolites
Mycotoxins
Aflatoxin
Is Organic Produce More Susceptible to Mycotoxins?
Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium
Future of Mycelium-based foods
Lifecycle of Morel Mushrooms
Medicinal Compounds in Mushrooms
Citizen Mycology
Mycology in Academia
Fungi in Coal Formations

Episode Resources:

Tom Volk Website: https://www.uwlax.edu/profile/tvolk/
Tom Volk's Fungi: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/
Aspergillus flavas (fungi): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_flavus
Boletus frostii (mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exsudoporus_frostii
Chanterelle (mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanterelle

Ep. 57: Secondary Metabolites, Mycotoxins & Fungi in Food Systems (feat. Professor Tom Volk)