# Waste-Transformed Space Food Scientists are Experimenting With Food for Astronauts Made From Feces By Alyson Wyers | Published 2018-01-31 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-for-astronauts References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/30/astronaut-poop-space-food/) & [news.psu.edu](http://news.psu.edu/story/502406/2018/01/25/microbes-may-help-astronauts-transform-human-waste-food) Scientists discovered microbes can transform [human waste back into food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-osmosis) for astronauts. A research team from [Penn State University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mechanical-memory-materials) showed it's possible for astronauts to turn their poop into space food using a series of microbial reactors capable of quickly breaking down both liquid and solid waste. Researchers tested this using artificial feces, resulting in a [52% protein and 36% fat biomass](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solein-shake). Christopher House, the Penn State professor leading the team, noted: "It's a little strange, but the concept would be a little bit like Marmite or Vegemite where you're eating a smear of 'microbial goo." This food for astronauts is what future space colonizers could conceivably be eating, especially as academics continue to explore the idea of living on Mars. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Waste Transformation:** The trend of transforming waste into usable products or resources opens up opportunities for waste management systems and sustainable practices. - **Microbial Reactors:** The use of microbial reactors to break down waste and convert it into valuable resources has the potential to revolutionize various industries, such as food production and renewable energy. - **Alternative Food Sources:** The exploration of alternative food sources, such as food made from waste materials, offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the food industry and space colonization. ### Where This Applies - **Waste Management:** The waste management industry can explore innovative methods like microbial reactors to efficiently process and convert waste into usable products. - **Food Production:** The food production industry can adopt technologies like waste transformation to create sustainable and alternative food sources. - **Space Exploration:** The space exploration industry can benefit from developments in waste-transformed food as it offers a viable solution for long-duration missions and space colonization. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mushroom-Derived Hybrid Meats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mush-foods.md) - [Air Protein Refreshments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fazer-taste-the-future.md) - [Potato-Based Ultra-Strong Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starcrete.md) - [Fungi-Powered Plant-Based Meat Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minced-fungi-protein.md) - [Space-Driven Phage Therapies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-evolved-phages.md) - [Alt Meat Minces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matr-fungi-mince.md) - [Fermented Hybrid Protein Powders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-protein-powder.md) - [Nutrient-Dense Fungi Protein Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fungi-protein.md) - [Vegan Pet Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marsapet-introduced.md)