Fungal bioremediation of human solid waste
Primary Submission Contact
Michael Watters
Faculty Sponsor
Michael Watters
Faculty Sponsor Email Address
michael.watters@valpo.edu
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Biology
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Date
Fall 10-28-2016
Abstract
The accumulation of solid human waste is a major problem for long-term space expeditions. Fungal bioremediation of human waste is a powerful solution to this problem. We report here the comparison of a variety of wild-type filamentous fungi for their ability to rapidly degrade solid waste. Certain strains of wild-type filamentous fungi, such a Neurospora crassa and Gelanispora cerealis, yielded waste to fungal-mass conversion rates of over 60 percent in seven days. Several strains, including Neurospora crassa, are edible and average about 50 percent amino acid content by mass, potentially providing a high-protein food generated in-flight to explorers of the final frontier.
Recommended Citation
Watters, Michael K.; Mehreteab, Alex; Manzanilla, Victor; Stewart, John; and Johnson, Mark, "Fungal bioremediation of human solid waste" (2016). Fall Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 4.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/fires/4
Additional Presentation Information
Wall Poster
