Plastic Eating Mushrooms
School Name
Center For Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Pestalotiopsis microspora has been discovered to use polyurethane as its main source of carbon (food source). These mushrooms could be introduced to polyurethane samples to monitor the capabilities of the mushroom. Pestalotiopsis microspora can also be compared to Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, which also consumes polyurethane. Pestalotiopsis microspora will be introduced to different polyurethane groups along with Pleurotus ostreatus. Pleurotus ostreatus, oyster mushroom, can also use polyurethane as its main source of carbon. This research is important because it presents an answer to two world problems, food shortage and polyurethane pollution. Only one other project like this was conducted by students at Yale who visited Ecuador to study the Pestalotiopsis Microspora. Both mushroom cultures will be monitored for growth rate and patterns. When introduced to the Polyurethane they will consume it as a carbon source. The weight of the Polyurethane samples will be measured before and once a week after they have been introduced to the mushrooms. Pestalotiopsis Microspora is expected to consume more polyurethane than Pleurotus ostreatus. The project will be successful when the mushrooms can be implemented into larger groups of polyurethane and can be safely consumed.
Recommended Citation
Harrison, Jake, "Plastic Eating Mushrooms" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 150.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/150
Location
Furman Hall 229
Start Date
3-28-2020 10:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Plastic Eating Mushrooms
Furman Hall 229
Pestalotiopsis microspora has been discovered to use polyurethane as its main source of carbon (food source). These mushrooms could be introduced to polyurethane samples to monitor the capabilities of the mushroom. Pestalotiopsis microspora can also be compared to Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, which also consumes polyurethane. Pestalotiopsis microspora will be introduced to different polyurethane groups along with Pleurotus ostreatus. Pleurotus ostreatus, oyster mushroom, can also use polyurethane as its main source of carbon. This research is important because it presents an answer to two world problems, food shortage and polyurethane pollution. Only one other project like this was conducted by students at Yale who visited Ecuador to study the Pestalotiopsis Microspora. Both mushroom cultures will be monitored for growth rate and patterns. When introduced to the Polyurethane they will consume it as a carbon source. The weight of the Polyurethane samples will be measured before and once a week after they have been introduced to the mushrooms. Pestalotiopsis Microspora is expected to consume more polyurethane than Pleurotus ostreatus. The project will be successful when the mushrooms can be implemented into larger groups of polyurethane and can be safely consumed.
