by David Masters
November 4, 2008Researchers in the Patagonian rainforest have discovered a biofuel producing tree fungus that could radically transform worldwide energy production practices.
Gliocladium roseum is a fungus that grows inside the ulmo tree in northern Patagonia.
The fungus naturally produces a mixture of chemicals almost exactly the same as vehicle quality diesel derived from fossil fuels.
G. roseum produces the biodiesel chemical - termed 'myco diesel' - as a vapour, making it much easier to extract, purify and store than liquid counterparts.
Crops grown for biofuel usually have to be converted into sugar and fermented before they can be pumped into vehicle engines.
Scientists believe the fungus has the potential to be a major provider of green energy, as it could be used to convert cellulose plant waste directly into myco diesel.
According to lead researcher Gary Strobel from Montana state university, no other known organism on the planet does this.
According to Strobel, the mixture of chemicals in the myco diesel could run a car engine without any need for modification.
The fungus produces the myco diesel vapour as a self protective measure to kill off surrounding fungi.
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