This black fungus transforms plastic waste into edible ingredients

Mushrooms may well be the most impressive form of life on earth. They can live almost anywhere, have medicinal and toxic qualities, and are – as new research suggests – accessible to the transformation of industrial waste into useful compounds.

The engineers of the German startup biophelion have successfully developed a method to coax a black yeast -shaped fungus –Aureobasidium pumps—An decompose and convert plastic waste into new products. In addition, during this process, the fungus consumes remains of carbon dioxide in plastic waste, using it to feed and prevent greenhouse gases from escaping in the atmosphere.

The project emerged within the framework of the “circular bioprating challenge” organized by the German Federal Agency for Revolutionary Innovations Sprind.

Fungal magic

Of course, the fungus does not magically transform waste into a single step. First of all, Aureobasidium pumps—A rustic mold that will live anywhere, eat anything and poop various compounds – is full of industrial by -products. The fantastic digestive system of the fungus ends up excreting waste in the form of three key compounds to produce new useful materials.

According to the researchers, these compounds include pumps out, an insipid edible polymer already used in food production today; a polyester adapted to plastic packaging; And a less known surfactant molecule than the team wishes to use in 3D printing. In terms of its edible applications, pumps are used as a food additive to supply in bulk and a texture, in edible films used for breath refreshments and for the manufacture of vegetarian pills. The team is still unpacking the exact mechanisms behind this process, but they hope they will be on something exciting.

“The biophelion specifically develops applications that cannot yet be conceivable today – we innovate in particular the rumber molecule and our surfactant molecule,” said Tiso, co -founder of Biophelion and microbiologist at Bielefeld University in Germany, in a press release.

Natural solutions for pollution

Time will tell us if startup technology could be the next great thing in materials science. The method as it is already offers an enticing solution for mass waste waste. The process itself is designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The surveyor molecule in particular could be the ideal replacement of artificial surfactants – chemicals produced by mass in laundry detergents and dish soap – which too often pollute the environment. Overall, researchers are delighted to see how their science could help solve some of the most urgent problems in today’s world.

“There is often a gap between university research and industrial implementation,” said Tiso. “But this time, it’s different. Here we can ourselves jump from academic research to industrial implementation. ”