Fungal Bioremediation of Human Solid Waste
Faculty Sponsor
Michael Watters
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Department of Biology
ORCID Identifier(s)
orcid.org/0000-0002-3298-488X
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-28-2015
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
Mehreteab, Alexander; Stewart, John; Johnson, Mark; and Watters, Micheal Keviin, "Fungal Bioremediation of Human Solid Waste" (2015). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 479.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/479
Biographical Information about Author(s)
I was drawn to this project mainly because of its interplanetary as well as domestic usage. Waste management plays a key role in maintaining and improving life on earth. It also casts a solution to voyages through space. Recent expeditions have deemed the settlement of mankind on another planet almost inevitable. Filamentous fungi are solutions to the problem that is waste management. They are easy to work with and the results are widely visible within a week. Our current goal is set on re-achieving a dry human solid waste to fungal mass conversion rate of 75%. Hopefully, in the future that goal will transform itself to 100% mass conversion rate.