We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees, but now it seems that diesel fuel just might! According to Guardian.co.uk, scientists have discovered a fungus in the Patagonian rain forest that “naturally produces a mixture of chemicals that is remarkably similar to diesel.” These chemicals are reportedly “virtually identical” to fuel grade compounds currently found in fossil fuels.
Although other organisms, such as algae, are already known to have the capability to produce fuel-like chemicals, this fungus is the only one known to produce hydrocarbons of this nature.
“This is the only organism that has ever been shown to produce such an important combination of fuel substances,” said Gary Strobel, a plant scientist from Montana State University who led the work. “We were totally surprised to learn that it was making a plethora of hydrocarbons.”
Yes! A plethora, no less! In fact, the chemical mix is so similar to conventional fossil fuel that Mr. Strobel dubbed the mixture “Myco-diesel”.
If a process can be developed to grow the fungus and extract the “myco-diesel” on a commercial scale, this discovery could lead to another piece of the alternative fuel technology puzzle.
Strobel also said that his discovery raises questions about how fossil fuels were made in the first place. "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. [But] if fungi like this are producing mycodiesel all over the rainforest, they may have contributed to the formation of fossil fuels."
(guardian)
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