Fig. 4

Learning from nature: the specialized basidiomycete Termitomyces titanicus (Agaricales) grows in subterranean termite nests. It can grow to form massive and impressive basidiomes, used as a human delicacy (above). The benefit to the termites — even without having developed the sophisticated farming procedure — is accessibility to protein rich feed. The percentages of protein in edible basidiomycetous fungi are high (measured as% of total dry weight; (below); an extraordinarily high protein content has been recorded for Termitomyces species. In future we will be able to make biorefineries by growing fungi on household waste and use the protein rich fungal biomass for animal feed. Photo and table: Duur Aanen.