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 ConnStudent Spaceflight Experiments Program and SponsorsTennessee Space Consortium - Vanderbilt UniversityFayette County Education AssociationDr. Raquel Collins-Underwood -St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphis Astronomical SocietyWest Tennessee STEM HubEads Animal Hospital Central of the Advancement of Science in Space – (CASIS)National Center for Earth and Space Science EducationThe Biotechnology Education CompanyFayette Academy -Headmaster, Mr. Ron Canada

Works CitedBabu, Dinesh P. and Subhasree R. S. ”The sacred mushroom ‘Reishi’-a review.” American-Eurasian Journal of Botany. 1.3 (2008): 107-110. PrintBerg, 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.