Pergenin

Pergenin is a fictional substance appearing in the science fiction novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. Within the narrative, it is a critical component for the successful growth of potatoes, the primary food source for astronaut Mark Watney during his survival on Mars. Pergenin is described as a high-nitrogen fertilizer. It is obtained from the human waste collected and processed by the Hab, the habitat where the astronauts lived.

The novel details the challenges of creating a sustainable food source in an alien environment. Watney's initial attempts to grow potatoes are hampered by the low nutrient content of the Martian soil. He identifies the need for a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and realizes that the processed waste from the crew is the only available source. Pergenin is the specific term used to describe this processed waste material when utilized as a fertilizer. The successful cultivation of his potato crop, and thus his survival, is directly dependent on the creation and application of this Pergenin. The substance highlights the scientific ingenuity and resourcefulness required for long-duration space missions and the importance of closed-loop systems for life support.