In this study, we analysed the electrical activity of the mycelium of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) when exposed to different stressors. The aim of the study was to check whether it is possible to detect changes in the electrical potential with the available laboratory equipment and to establish a correlation between the electrical activity, vitality, and growth of the mycelium. The measurements were carried out with Ag/AgCl electrodes connected to a PowerLab interface on PDA growth media, grain, and coffee substrates. In a pilot experiment, we confirmed that the mycelium emitted low-frequency electrical pulses that were not present in the control samples, demonstrating its vitality. Further experiments showed that environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and photoperiod significantly influence the electrical signals. The addition of the fungicide Silvanolin caused a significant decrease in electrical activity and coincided with the death of the mycelium and the appearance of mould. The results confirm the relationship between the vitality of the mycelium and its electrical activity, but the signals were too inconsistent to establish direct causality. More reliable conclusions would require optimisation of the measurement conditions, the use of additional controls, and a larger number of replicates. Despite its limitations, the study contributes to a better understanding of the electrophysiology of fungi and opens up possibilities for the development of biological sensors and innovative materials based on mycelium.
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