title: Biological degradation and composition of inedible sweetpotato biomass.
abstract: Many challenges are presented by biological degradation in a bioregenerative Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) as envisioned by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  In the studies conducted with biodegradative microorganism indigenous to sweetpotato fields, it was determined that a particle size of 75 microns and incubation temperature of 30 degrees C were optimal for degradation.  The composition of the inedible biomass and characterization of plant nutrient solution indicated the presence of potential energy sources to drive microbial transformations of plant waste.  Selected indigenous soil isolates with ligno-cellulolytic or sulfate-reducing ability were utilized in biological studies and demonstrated diversity in ability to reduce sulfate in solution and to utilize alternative carbon sources:  a lignin analog--4-hydroxy, 3-methoxy cinnamic acid, cellulose, arabinose, glucose, sucrose, mannitol, galactose, ascorbic acid.
authors.affiliation: Tuskegee University NASA Center for CELSS, Tuskegee University, AL 36088, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Trotman
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Almazan
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Loretan
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D002482:Cellulose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D006358:Hot Temperature; D018527:Hydroponics; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010316:Particle Size; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016999:Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D003470:Culture Media; D009566:Nitrates; D010710:Phosphates; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013431:Sulfates; D002244:Carbon; C007916:hemicellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin