Title

Fungal bioremediation of human solid waste

Authors

Michael K. Watters, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Alex Mehreteab, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Victor Manzanilla, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
John Stewart, Valparaiso University
Mark Johnson, Valparaiso University

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