Project Title:
A Waste Cellulose to Edible Mushrooms Conversion System
94-1 12.03 6845
A Waste Cellulose to Edible Mushrooms Conversion System
Abstract:
We propose a biomass processing system to convert waste cellulose
into traditional human food, edible mushroom. Because of its
cultural requirements, we have chosen the hardy "padistraw". Other
candidate systems are more complex and can require more power and
be of greater mass and volume. Some of them face the problem of
consumer acceptability and yield only animal feed. The proposed
system will accept waste lignocellulose from Controlled Ecological
Life Support Systems (CELSS) and transform it to a state suitable
for inoculation with mushroom spawn. The waste biomass composed of
plant wastes and Dictyostelium cellulose will be contained in a
housing which will install directly into the equipment and be kept
moist by wicking material. When mature mushrooms are harvested, the
used substrate containing mushroom spawn and mycelium will be
recycled and mixed with the next batch of waste biomass. Processing
inedible biomass into human food will help reduce resupply needs
and extend the time humans can spend in space
Potential applications are in field situations such as closed
habitats, (submarine environments), remote locations on land
(desert environments) and wherever food resources are scarce.
Key Words
NSR-EOD Joint Venture
125 Dare Road
Selden, NY 11784