Diesel fuel to grow on trees?
Fungus on trees named ‘myco-diesel’
Dr Gary Strobel a Professor of Plant Sciences at the Montana State University is leading a group of researchers that have discovered a fungus that naturally produces a fuel suitable for use in car engines.
The fungus was discovered on the ulmo tree in Patagonia. Dr Strobel is investigating how it produces a hydrocarbon gas that potentially could be used in diesel engines. The gas mixture produced has compounds that would be adequate enough to run an engine; he reports that there is no other known organism on the planet that could do this.
Scientists hope that the discovery could help with quicker production of bio-fuel without the need to resort to using land that would usually be used to produce food.
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