Stomach fungi convert waste
Fungi from sheep and cattle stomachs are being used by D.S.I.R. scientists to digest wood wastes to convert them into useful products.
Dr Keith Joblin, of the D.S.I.R.’s Applied Biochemistry Division at Palmerston North, said fungi already did the same sort of job and that their new use was not extraordinary. Fungi break down the more indigestible parts of grass and straw eaten by sheep and cattle, and their use in breaking down wood
was being investigated. The fungi in goats’ stomachs were even better adapted for breaking down wood, said Dr Joblin. Wastes from the increasing volume of timber in New Zealand could be buried, burnt or turned into chemicals or liquid fuels, he said.
Micro-organisms such as anaerobic fungi could make these types of wastes useful. Fungi had been growing on pieces of wood and could digest up to 40 per cent of poplar chip, said Dr Joblin.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19851113.2.158
Bibliographic details
Press, 13 November 1985, Page 39
Word Count
154Stomach fungi convert waste Press, 13 November 1985, Page 39
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in