Fungus can be turned into diesel

Nov 4, 2008 14:43 GMT  ·  By
Plant wastes could be used to cheaply produce extremely large amounts of diesel fuel
   Plant wastes could be used to cheaply produce extremely large amounts of diesel fuel

Researchers wandering around Patagonia made a huge discovery recently, when they learned that a specific type of fungus can actually produce diesel naturally. The process is the adaptation of the organism to the environment, evolved so that it could kill off other fungi that may try to grow on the ulmo tree (Eucryphia cordifolia).  

The endophyte Gliocladium roseum fungus creates a ready-to-use kind of diesel, scientists say, that has much of the characteristics of its artificially-created counterpart. Preliminary tests show that the gas emanating from this parasite can be used without further modifications, as it contains the correct mixtures of gases needed to propel a regular engine.  

The compound is very rich in hydrocarbons, which store far more energy than oxygen does. In regular diesel fuels, oxygen is used for energy storage. Though it provides a decent output, it is easily surpassed by this natural symbiotic fungus. Furthermore, the parasite can also grow on cellulose, which is excellent news for environmentalists.  

Cellulose contains extremely large amounts of hydrocarbons, but most of this substance is lost in industrial processes, and the human body cannot digest it. So vast amounts are wasted worldwide each year. "It’s the most abundant organic compound produced on earth, but most of it goes to waste. We’ll do some scale-up and fermentation, then get enough to run a little engine. If we can do that, we are in business," said the scientists who discovered the fungus, Gary Strobel, at the Montana State University in Bozeman, US.  

In addition to its natural abilities, the fungus also has a gene that creates enzymes capable of breaking down notoriously-hard cellulose. Geneticists say that, by splicing the gene into other animals, or other living organisms, as well, they could potentially increase the levels of diesel production. Also, the old theory, which argued that oil was only produced inside the Earth, under extreme temperatures and pressure, is now obsolete.