posted on Nov, 10 2008 @ 11:30 AM
Fungus Discovered That Makes Diesel from Cellulose
cleantechnica.com...
A fungus that grows in Ulmo trees in the Patagonian Rainforest is the source of a significant discovery.
“This is the only organism that has ever been shown to produce such an important combination of fuel substances,” said Professor Gary Strobel from
Montana State University. “The fungus can even make these diesel compounds from cellulose, which would make it a better source of biofuel than
anything we use at the moment.”
Like many scientific breakthroughs, scientists stumbled upon this discovery by accident.
Genetic manipulation can help to increase the yield. Amazingly, cellulose can be directly converted into diesel, skipping a step typically needed in
biofuel production. In other words, it can break down cellulose and produce a liquid fuel in the same process.
“The discovery also questions our knowledge of the way fossil fuels are made. The accepted theory is that crude oil, which is used to make diesel,
is formed from the remains of dead plants and animals that have been exposed to heat and pressure for millions of years,” said Professor Strobel.
“If fungi like this are producing myco-diesel all over the rainforest, they may have contributed to the formation of fossil fuels.”