Fuel production aircraft from mushrooms

US scientists successfully produce jet fuel from the black mold, which often grows out of fallen leaves, soil, and fruit.

US successfully produced jet fuel from mushrooms

According to a study published in the journal Fungal Biology, scientists use Aspergillus carbonarius ITEM 5010 to produce hydrocarbons , a major constituent of petroleum as well as aviation fuels. This fungus produces the most hydrocarbons when grown on oatmeal, straw or non-edible byproducts from corn processing.

Producing fossil fuels could pave the way for cheap aviation fuel. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Professor Birgitte Ahring of Washington State University says the fungus produces hydrocarbons as a defense mechanism against bacteria. Therefore, they are seeking to promote fungi that produce maximum hydrocarbons , boosting the chain of biochemical reactions through genetic engineering.

According to the India Times, after gaining the mutant form with higher levels of hydrocarbons, the team will advance the process by using a special hydrocarbon-coding gene, produced by blue and algae.

This finding is expected to pave the way for cheap aviation biofuel production in the next five years. Previously, Ahring's group used the standard Aspergillus fungus to produce enzymes and other beneficial products.