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.
Keywords: Phase_I, NASA, Abstract, FY94
