A type of tree fungus has been shown to be a new natural source for biodiesel fuel. This discovery may lead to further advancement in biofuel technology and help find a way to replace oil and other fossil fuels to end current dependence on foreign oil. It almost seems like science fiction, the fact that a fungus may turn out to be the answer to alternative and renewable fuels to replace oil. Biodiesel is a much more environmentally friendly fuel than gasoline, with less harmful sulfur and carbon emissions, as well as particulates. Vehicles that run on biodiesel do not pollute the air in significant amounts like traditional diesel does. The fungus responsible is called gliocladium roseum. This fungus produces hydrocarbons that are mid-length and are found in traditional diesel, gasoline, and jet fuels. That means this fungus produces hydrocarbons that can be used to manufacture biodiesel.
This does not mean that this fungus will allow us to say goodbye to oil and other fossil fuels overnight, however. Finding the fungus is just the first step in a long process to being able to use this fungus as a source to create biodiesel. With the right research and technology though, this fungus could become one of the answers to fuels for the future. The fungus was discovered on an ulmo tree, also called eucryphia cordifolia, and was located in South America near Patagonia. This fungus will only produce small amounts of the hydrocarbons, and only if the oxygen conditions are just right. This could be, though, the start of a new source for the biodiesel production in the future.
The tree fungus gliocladium roseum can be a key for researchers because this fungus will allow researchers to study it and engineer alternative microbes that will be much more efficient. The fungus contains several compounds that are found in diesel fuel. These include hexadecane, octane, 2-methyl, heptane, and 1-octene. This is the first time that these hydrocarbons have been found in a fungus like this, and it opens up a whole new world of possibilities concerning alternative fuels of the future. The fungus was found on trees that are present in the rainforest of Patagonia, and it has been heralded as a massive scientific discovery concerning alternative and eco-friendly fuels. The scientist who discovered the fungus has a name for any fuel derived from it: myco- diesel, because the fuel comes from a fungus and mycology is the word for the study of fungi.
Gliocladium roseum shows incredible promise, but much research still needs to be conducted before this source of hydrocarbons would be able to put a dent in our dependence and use of fossil fuels. This fungus does, however, provide a possibility for meeting our fuel needs at some point in the future. The fungus only produces the hydrocarbons when exposed to certain conditions, which are difficult to create outside the lab, but it is an arrow that will allow researchers to head in the right direction when it comes to new and unusual sources of biodiesel products.
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Interesting concept, but is there really enough of this fungus to make it a truly conceivable alternative fuel source?
January 19, 2009 at 00:47 pmyeah, that fungus is cool but I doubt it will suit the needs peace, larry
February 4, 2009 at 20:28 pmI think the real idea here is not just that this fungus is able to be an fuel source but that the overall picture is the fact that if this fungus can be a fuel source how many other funguses out there can be too.
February 6, 2009 at 08:50 pmI absolutely do agree with Larry: fungus can be a source of fuel - wow that's great! but let's just try to concentrate on something more viable.
February 6, 2009 at 15:41 pmIt's good that this fungus was found in South America. At least now these poor people there have a chance to produce their own energy...
February 6, 2009 at 15:45 pmLes the real question is will they use it to produce their own energy?
February 6, 2009 at 21:06 pmWow tree fungus as an energy source? It amazes me the amount of things that scientist can come up with that can be used as an energy source.
February 7, 2009 at 08:48 pmNow that they have found this fungus is this something that can be mass produced in a lab in order to be able to really be considered a canidate for a fuel source? While I think it's great that it has been found I tend to wonder how long will the fungus last?
February 8, 2009 at 09:29 pmOh, wouldn't that be cool if tree fungus could be made into a renewable resource? It really is amazing what the enviroment produces that we can use to run all sorts of things!
February 10, 2009 at 12:26 pmWhy hasn't this been thought of before? I always thought fungus was something that we eat (yes, mushrooms are fungus), now there is proof that it can be used as a fuel? That's awesome!
February 10, 2009 at 12:27 pmTwo things about this and the comments caught my attention. 1. What other fungi out there could be used? and 2. Can we grow this stuff on mass level to have enough to produce bio fuel? We need an awful lot of fungus.
February 23, 2009 at 12:46 pmWeeee!fungus is now a source of biodies. It is really a big help to us, especially those who are dependent to foreign oil. This could help a lot!! I have a question, what other fungus which can be a source of boidiesel?
March 1, 2009 at 08:46 pmI mean biodiesel, I'm sorry, wrong spelling.
March 1, 2009 at 08:47 pmI think another concern to consider is not how MUCH fungus can be created in a lab, but how QUICKLY this fungus can be created in a lab. Society not only consumes a lot of fuel, but we consume it very quickly as well.
April 7, 2009 at 16:26 pm