Extraction Dark specks in the extract

[late]

I didn't use to have this problem, assuming it is a problem. I am getting specks in the extract. I make a coconut extract, and then freeze it. I wouldn't have thought anything could grow in the freezer, but that does seem to be the case.

These happen at the top, you don't see them in the rest of the extract. So I am assuming they need oxygen. I just finished combining YDB with AKR (about 90/10) and I am going to put plain coconut oil on top of it after it freezes. Maybe that will form a barrier separating the air from the things the buggies need to eat.

I have been digging them out, but I was wondering if anyone else had had this problem, and had some idea of how to deal with it.

 

[Dr. Babnik]

I don't know your extraction protocol. However, the biology lession is that if you have active microbal growth in your preparation and freeze it in a regular -20 degree Celcius freezer which is found in most homes, growth can continue at a slow paste. -20 is not very cold, in biological terms. Wateractivity in -20 ice is quite high, so biological activity is not completely stopped. We store animal cells and biological samples that are not fixated at -70 degrees celsius to stop wateractivity completely.

 

[Dr. Babnik]

Try to get your freezer down to -30 degrees Celsius if you think you have microbal contamination.

 

[late]

Thanks, I turned the freezer down a couple notches. If that doesn't work, there are 2 notches lower I can go.

But I think it will. Thanks again.

 

[Dr. Babnik]

It is just an idea from what I know from the biology lab. Also, I am an expert on fish and human cancer (yes, it is a wierd combination of interests...), not plants.

Keep an eye on the specks if they are present in your final product. You want to look for changes in size and if they divide into new specks. If so, your product has some kind of infection. If that is your problem, you must examin your materials. All soutions in use have to be trown down the sink and new ones prepared.

I don't know plant physiology, but would it be possible to give the buds 3 min in a microwawe, full power? Or would it destroy them? That would be an easy way to sterilize them and kill bugs, bacteria and yeasts. If you work in your kitchen and you also bake with yeast in the same room, be sure yeast spores is all over the place.

Again, this is just free thinking...

 

[late]

Whatever they are, they don't eat coconut oil. I put a layer of plain coconut oil on top of the extract, in addition to making the freezer colder, and there is (so far) no indication of any growth.
I think I have it under control.

I put some extract into an ice cube tray, anytime I want to make something, I can just take a cube out and add it. No spots on the cubes (which was a prob before), either, so far, so good.

I'll have to repeat putting the oil layer on top every time I take some out, but that's not a big deal.