Diesel doesn't grow on trees... Oh Yes It Does!!!

By Davey Winder
Wednesday, 05 November 2008 04:48

Science - Energy

Given the current cost of fuel, wouldn't it be great if diesel grew on trees? Well, according to one Montana State University professor, it bloody well does!

This story does not get any the less amazing the more you delve into it, in fact just the opposite. Not only does diesel grow on trees, says Professor Gary Strobel, but it is a by-product of a fungus. 

In fact, the Professor reckons that his myco-diesel discovery is even more important than another fantastic fungus-based discovery he made 15 years ago which involved an anti-cancer drug called taxol.

Indeed, you can see why given the current concern over supply of fossil fuels and the search for a 'green' alternative to, quite literally, drive western economies forward.

Strobel is best described as a bio-explorer, hunting in remotes places for a prey of microbes hidden within exotic plants. Plants such as the ulmo trees in the Patagonia rain forest, for example, that contain the diesel-producing fungus in question.
 
This particular fungus is known as Gliocladium roseum and Strobel noticed that it produced gases, and compounds that are normally associated with diesel. Apparently, Strobel says, it is the first time an organism has been found that has so many 'diesel ingredients' occurring in nature.

Now Strobel is investigating which enzymes are responsible for the conversion of substrates into myco-diesel and has started screening the genome of the fungi is concerned. Identify the genes responsible for growing diesel on trees and you are closer to growing it in the lab.

Despite Government agencies and commercial concerns alike showing interest, do not get your hopes up for running your car on fungus fuel any time soon. Let's just hope the benefits of this biofuel do not get debunked.