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Asked by gearhead240 ·July 17, 2018 ·9.03k readers

IMO Theory

***I am not asking for medical or health advice*** I am interested in the "THEORY" of fungal relationships in regards to human digestive systems. In studying theory from my limited perception, I have learned the idea that all stages of successful collected IMO are edible. I have also learned about fungal probiotics that are available on the market today. My question regarding to this theory is: Are all white-ish mycelium considered edible/beneficial?

imo

The answer

From the KNF library

From the KNF library Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books · Sep 2026 · 5 sources

The library gives no rule that white mycelium is edible or beneficial to people. It does say what white growth means in a culture.

  • The Pure KNF Manual says good IMO is typically fungal dominant. Fungus in a culture is expected. (Pure KNF Manual, p. 31)
  • Cho's Solutions calls IMO diverse microorganisms adapted to their local microclimate. (Cho's Solutions, p. 11)
  • A thin white crust on IMO2 is normal, especially in a jar not filled at least two-thirds full. (Office Hours Ep. 27, 58:35)
  • If anaerobic microbes dominate a collection, Cho says to collect again in a drier area. (Cho, Theory, p. 51)
  • The CTAHR fact sheet calls the LAB culture edible. (Student's Manual, Basic Course, p. 13)

That last source covers LAB, not IMO. The library does not say whether any IMO stage is safe to eat.

Sources

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