Type: Experimental water treatment
Location: USA
More recent research has examined Stropharia rugosoannulata, oyster mushrooms and other fungi as biological filters for water contaminated with pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers grew dense fungal networks through woodchips and exposed them to contaminated wetland water. Stropharia rugosoannulata performed particularly well against several of the organisms tested, although effectiveness differed considerably between bacterial species.
The project demonstrates why fungal filtration should not be thought of as a universal filter. Species, organisms being targeted, contact time and filter design can all influence performance.
Explore the research:
Frontiers in Microbiology study