avicel medium for RNA extraction - crushing of avicel (Jan/24/2007 )

hi all
i am going to extract total RNA from fungi grown in avicel medium for 48 hours.
after collection of myceila (+avicel) i tried to crush it into fine powder in the presence of liquid nitrogen. but it was so difficult for me to make it powder.

so anyone have any idea for an easiest alternative way?????

Our trick for RNA extraction using liquid nitrogen is to get rid of all the water contained in the culture medium. We separate the micellium from the avicel (or any other substrate), rinse it and then dry it, again as much as possible. Immediately after the added liquid nitrogen has evaporated crush the frozen micellium with pestle into smaller pieces, which are then easier to powder vigorously.
Good luck!