Clinostat-Based Low-Gravity Cultivation of Oyster and Reishi Mushrooms on Lunar Regolith Simulant

This study is part of SPoRES (Sustainable Production of Pleurotus & Reishi on Extraterrestrial Substrates), a project aimed at evaluating fungal growth on lunar regolith analogs. This project investigates the feasibility of cultivating fungi in lunar microgravity using a hybridization oven to simulate reduced gravity conditions. The selected fungi, Pleurotus djamor (Pink Oyster mushroom), possesses significant nutritional and medicinal benefits, making it a promising candidate for sustainable food production in long-duration lunar habitats. This research also explores the potential of various lunar regolith types as partial growth substrates. Lesser Earth-based inputs will lead to more resilient lunar outposts that grow self-sufficiently. By evaluating fungal adaptability in simulated lunar microgravity and extraterrestrial soil analogs, this study aims to advance bioregenerative life support strategies for future long-duration space missions.