Abstract: Nutrients for supporting fungi growth, and particularly mushroom growth, are provided by a liquid nutrient comprising the product of a thermophilic digestion process. The liquid nutrient is contacted with and absorbed in a support medium to form a growing bed. The liquid nutrient is inoculated with spawn of the particular fungi to be grown. The inoculated product is then maintained under temperature and humidity conditions that promote mycelia growth. Once mycelia appear, the growing bed can be cased to promote the growth of fruiting bodies. The growing bed can be replaced on a batch basis. Alternatively, the bed can be irrigated on an intermittent or continuous basis to replenish the nutrient supply.

Abstract: Biochemically degradable organic material, for example, animal waste matter, such as manure produced by hogs, sheep, cattle, chickens and humans is aerobically digested at thermophilic digestion temperatures to produce various digested products, including single cell proteinaceous material suitable for feeding to animals as part of the animals' nutritive diet. Biodegradable material is introduced into a digesting zone that is sufficiently insulated to prevent any substantial heat loss from the digesting material during the digestion process. An oxygenating gas such as air is introduced into the digesting material during all phases of the digestion. The digesting material is simultaneously vigorously agitated. The waste material is placed into the digester at ambient temperatures and is contacted with the oxygenating gas at a rate and is agitated at a level effective to cause thermogenic microbial digestion of the materials present in the waste matter.