The Reishi Mushroom VS E. coli
Principal Investigator: Mark Montague
Co-Investigators: Averi Davis, Harley Wade, Tucker Whittington
Teacher Facilitator: Donna Burrus, Biology Lab Instructor
Research
Question
What effect will microgravity
have on the Reishi
mushroom’s (Ganoderma
lucidum) ability to weaken,
damage or destroy E. coli
bacteria?
Hypothesis
I believe the Reishi mushroom will weaken, damage or destroy
E.coli bacteria. Ganoderma lucidum, the common Reishi
mushroom has a history of damaging and destroying of various
forms of cancers and pathogens (Halpern, 56). Microgravity’s
lack of force due to the “free fall” environment could enhance
the antimicrobial destroying properties of the mushroom.
E.coli
• E. coli was first discovered by
Theodor Escherich in 1885, who
called it Baccterium coli commune.
• E. coli is a bacteria that is often
found in the digestive system of
the human body.
• Ten percent of bacteria in the
human intestines are E. coli and
it is not always harmful.
• In some cases E. coli can cause
diarrhea, and severe dehydration
resulting in death. Humans can
contract sicknesses caused by E.
coli from food poisoning.
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi Mushroom
• The
Reishi mushroom or Ganoderma lucidum is most
commonly found in China on decaying tree stumps.
• It has a gloomy, and shiny appearance.
• This fungi has been used for over thousands of years in china
without any negative side effects.
• Reishi can be broken up into six different types that are
distinguished in colors such as red, blue, yellow, black, white,
and purple.
• Allergies
• High blood pressure
• HIV
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Hepatitis
MINI-LABORATORY ABOARD ISS: TUBE 1
• Volume 1 – 1 E. coli BactoBead™ (10^5 cells per bead)
• Volume 2 – 1.5 g of powdered Reishi mushroom mixed with 3 mL
nutrient
broth
• Volume 3 – 3 mL of 10% formalin, cell growth inhibitor and
preservative
MINI-LABORATORY GROUND EXPERIMENT: TUBE 2
• Volume 1 – 1 E. coli BactoBead™ (10^5 cells per bead)
• Volume 2 – 1.5 g of powdered Reishi mushroom mixed with 3 mL
nutrient
broth
• Volume 3 – 3 mL of 10% formalin, cell growth inhibitor and
preservative
MINI-LABORATORY GROUND EXPERIMENT: TUBE 3
• Volume 1 – 1 E. coli BactoBead™ (10^5 cells per bead)
• Volume 2 – 3 mL nutrient broth
• Volume 3 – 3 mL of 10% formalin, cell growth inhibitor and
preservative
"Science walks on the shoulders of the giants that came before us."
Tommy Conn
Student Spaceflight Experiments Program and Sponsors
Tennessee Space Consortium - Vanderbilt University
Fayette County Education Association
Dr. Raquel Collins-Underwood St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memphis Astronomical Society
West Tennessee STEM Hub
Eads Animal Hospital
Central of the Advancement of Science in Space – (CASIS)
National Center for Earth and Space Science Education
The Biotechnology Education Company
Fayette Academy Headmaster, Mr. Ron Canada
Works Cited
Babu, Dinesh P. and Subhasree R. S. ”The sacred mushroom ‘Reishi’-a
review.” American-Eurasian Journal of Botany. 1.3 (2008): 107-110. Print
Berg, Howard C. E. coli in motion. New York: Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.,
2003. Print.
Gore, Michael G. Spectrophotometry and Spectrofluorimetry: a practical approach.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.
Halpern, Georges. M. Healing mushrooms: effective treatments for today illnesses.
Garden City Park: Square One Publishers, 2007. Print.
Hayhurst, Chris. E. coli. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2004.
Print.
Tang, Wenbo et al. “A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled
study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia.”
Journal of Medicinal Food, 8.1 (2005): 53-58.Print.
Tierra, Michael. Treating cancer with herbs: an integrative approach. Twin Lakes:
Lotus Press, 2003. Print.