"KY fungus" is world beating waste-eater
Two Japanese researchers have discovered a yeast fungus that they claim will digest up to 20kg of kitchen waste per day.
The Nagasaki-based scientists had been examining several micro-organisms for odour-eating properties. It has been dubbed the "KY fungus" after its discoverers, professor Tsunehiro Kitagawa from Nagasaki University and Takayoshi Yamada, a director at Bio Clean System's laboratory.
The scientists say that the KY fungus breaks up foul-smelling chemical compounds such as ammonia as well as carbohydrates and proteins. In a series of tests the fungus reduced 2.5kg of waste, including fish heads, bones and other food leftovers, to about 50g in an hour.
"When constantly supplemented," said Kitagawa, "the KY fungus was able to decompose and completely dispose of 20kg of such refuse over a day which makes it perfect for small-scale commercial use."
