What is Mycelium?
Mycelium is like the root system for fungus. It branches out underground decomposing organic matter. The species used in PACT Tabs breaks down poop in the ground faster and kills harmful pathogens like E. coli that can persist in the soil, contaminating waterways, harming wildlife and impacting public health.
Why Use Mycelium To Break Down Poop?
Human poop is extremely toxic. Bacterial pathogens can remain active in the soil for over a year (Goodwin et al. 2012), contaminating waterways (Derlet et al. 2008), causing illness (Boulware 2004), harming wildlife (Daszak et al. 2000) and impacting the soil (Craine et al. 2007).
A growing body of work supports the use of fungi to solve soil pollution problems (Harms 2011) including for breaking down human waste.
The Characteristics Of Our Species
The species of fungi used in PACT Tabs is Stropharia Rugosoannulata also known as King Stropharia and Wine Cap. It belongs to the saprotrophic class of fungi, meaning it only feeds on dead or decaying matter.
This class of fungi plays essential roles in soil and ecosystem health, converting decaying matter into nutrients for plants and other organisms.
Why Use Mycelium To Break Down Poop?
Human poop is extremely toxic. Bacterial pathogens can remain active in the soil for over a year (Goodwin et al. 2012), contaminating waterways (Derlet et al. 2008), causing illness (Boulware 2004), harming wildlife (Daszak et al. 2000) and impacting the soil (Craine et al. 2007).
A growing body of work supports the use of fungi to solve soil pollution problems (Harms 2011) including for breaking down human waste.
The Characteristics
Of Our Species
The species of fungi used in PACT Tabs is Stropharia Regosoannulata also known as King Stropharia and Wine Cap. It belongs to the saprotrophic class of fungi, meaning it only feeds on dead or decaying matter.
This class of fungi plays essential roles in soil and ecosystem health, converting decaying matter into nutrients for plants and other organisms.
Bad Fungi vs. Good Fungi
Parasitic or “bad” fungi feed on living plants and animals, causing diseases, reduced biological function and even death. They outcompete other species for resources, alter habitats and disrupt ecosystem functioning.
Learn MoreSaprotrophs or “good” fungi, do not feed on or harm living organisms. Decomposer fungi like S. rugosoannulata provide many essential ecological benefits for the environment.
Bad Fungi
vs. Good Fungi
Parasitic or “bad” fungi feed on living plants and animals, causing diseases, reduced biological function and even death. They outcompete other species for resources, alter habitats and disrupt ecosystem functioning.
Saprotrophs or “good” fungi, do not feed on or harm living organisms. Decomposer fungi like S. rugosoannulata provide many essential ecological benefits for the environment.
How Stropharia Supports Ecosystem Health
Fungi in the genus Stropharia support soil health and nutrient cycling through their decomposition activity (Nix 2022). Their role as saprotrophs— breaking down plant debris, wood and other materials— provides essential nutrients for a wide array of soil organisms.
By enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients, Stropharia fungi support plant diversity, which, in turn, sustains higher trophic levels (herbivores and carnivores).
How Stropharia Supports Ecosystem Health
Fungi in the genus Stropharia support soil health and nutrient cycling through their decomposition activity (Nix 2022). Their role as saprotrophs— breaking down plant debris, wood and other materials— provides essential nutrients for a wide array of soil organisms.
By enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients, Stropharia fungi support plant diversity, which, in turn, sustains higher trophic levels (herbivores and carnivores).
Where Does Stropharia Grow Natively?
S. rugosoannulata grows natively in Europe and the United States, and has been introduced to Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. It has been cultivated around the world for food purposes as well as the benefits it provides as a soil additive.
Learn MoreAccording to the EU’s Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, Stropharia has been introduced in Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Norway, Germany, and Slovenia with no evidence of negative impact.
Non-native doesn’t mean “bad” or “invasive”. Countless non-native species (e.g. honey bees!) occupy ecological niches, enhance food webs, become “naturalized” (Laramie 2023), increase biodiversity (Schlaepfer 2018), or even assist in restoring degraded habitats.
Where Does Stropharia Grow Natively?
S. rugosoannulata grows natively in Europe and the United States, and has been introduced to Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. It has been cultivated around the world for food purposes as well as the benefits it provides as a soil additive.
According to the EU’s Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, Stropharia has been introduced in Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Norway, Germany, and Slovenia with no evidence of negative impact.
Non-native doesn’t mean “bad” or “invasive”. Countless non-native species (e.g. honey bees!) occupy ecological niches, enhance food webs, become “naturalized” (Laramie 2023), increase biodiversity (Schlaepfer 2018), or even assist in restoring degraded habitats.
Can Stropharia Become Invasive?
Stropharia rugosoannulata is not an invasive species. While it could be non-native to some of the environments it is used, it does not meet any other requirements for invasiveness. In most cases, this fungi would be considered a beneficial addition to the soil.
Learn MoreStropharia Kills Pathogens In Poop
We want to decompose poop faster. But the real goal is to render poop inert and non-toxic.
Poop itself isn’t the problem, it is the pathogens in human poop that can persist in the soil (Cilimburg, Monz, Kehoe. 2000), impact waterways (Gerba & Smith 2005), wildlife (Marion et al. (2016), Murray et al. (2015), Daszak et al. (2000)) and threaten public health (Boulware 2004).
Mycoremediation, using fungi to remediate contaminated soil, offers a promising, low impact alternative. S. rugosoannulata produces specialized acanthocyte cells that trap and kill bacteria, like E. coli.
Stropharia Kills Pathogens In Poop
We want to decompose poop faster. But the real goal is to render poop inert and non-toxic.
Poop itself isn’t the problem, it is the pathogens in human poop that can persist in the soil (Cilimburg, Monz, Kehoe. 2000), impact waterways (Gerba & Smith 2005), wildlife (Marion et al. (2016), Murray et al. (2015), Daszak et al. (2000)) and threaten public health (Boulware 2004).
Mycoremediation, using fungi to remediate contaminated soil, offers a promising, low impact alternative. S. rugosoannulata produces specialized acanthocyte cells that trap and kill bacteria, like E. coli.
Other Applications For Stropharia & Mycoremediation
Using fungi to break down pollutants isn’t new! We’re building on the success of other applications, including agricultural run-off, wastewater run-off, wildfire remediation and more!
Learn MoreOther Applications For Stropharia & Mycoremediation
Using fungi to break down pollutants isn’t new! We’re building on the success of other applications, including agricultural run-off, wastewater run-off, wildfire remediation and more!
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