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 10-30-2015
Abstract
The accumulation of solid human waste is a major problem for long-term space expeditions. Fungal bioremediation of solid waste could provide a solution to this problem. Filamentous fungi can be used to biodegrade human solid waste. 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, Alexander; Stewart, John; and Johnson, Mark, "Fungal Bioremediation of Human Solid Waste" (2015). Fall Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 53.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/fires/53
Additional Presentation Information
Wall Poster
