Mucorales Fungi: The Future of Sustainable Biodiesel?
- Marc Violo
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Biofuels are critical in the transition to a low-carbon economy, but traditional sources such as oilseed crops present significant environmental challenges. The global production of bioethanol has surged, with the U.S. and Brazil alone producing approximately 85% of the world's total bioethanol—nearly 24.4 billion gallons combined. Yet, biofuels derived from crops can intensify land use conflicts and contribute to biodiversity loss.
Amid these challenges, fungi from the order Mucorales are emerging as a promising alternative. The Mucorales is the largest and best-studied order of zygomycete fungi. Members of this order are sometimes called pin molds.
Research conducted by scientists from the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco and Universidade Federal do Piauí recently highlighted the exceptional lipid-producing capabilities of these fungi, particularly species within the genera Mucor and Rhizopus. Certain Mucor species can accumulate lipids comprising up to 40% of their dry weight, making them highly efficient for biodiesel production.
Why Fungal Biodiesel?
Unlike microalgae and traditional crops, Mucorales fungi thrive in diverse and challenging conditions, including agricultural waste streams such as sugarcane bagasse and cheese whey. This flexibility allows them to be cultivated at lower costs and with reduced environmental impacts, enhancing their appeal for large-scale biofuel production.
Moreover, Mucorales species metabolize complex, lignocellulosic substrates, overcoming one of the biggest barriers in biofuel production—the recalcitrance of plant biomass. Their rapid growth and ability to ferment sugars effectively into lipids positions them as viable industrial biocatalysts.
Advancing Biodiesel Production through Biotechnology
Significant strides are being made in biotechnological innovations aimed at optimizing fungal biodiesel production. Techniques like CRISPR gene-editing and synthetic biology are being applied to enhance lipid accumulation and fungal resistance to inhibitors typically found in agricultural residues. Recent genetic studies have shown that overexpressing genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and transport significantly boosts lipid yield and quality, essential for commercial viability.
Researchers have also optimized cultivation processes by employing advanced bioreactor designs and automated monitoring systems. These advancements have increased productivity, improved lipid extraction efficiency, and decreased overall production costs, crucial steps for scaling fungal biofuels.
Addressing Remaining Challenges
Despite promising potential, several hurdles must be overcome. Variability among fungal strains requires further genetic and phenotypic characterisation to identify the most productive and resilient varieties. Economic challenges related to lipid extraction and biodiesel conversion processes still limit competitive pricing compared to fossil fuels. Addressing these issues involves refining extraction technologies, enhancing substrate conversion efficiency, and streamlining operational processes.
Utilizing agricultural waste streams to grow Mucorales fungi aligns with global efforts to promote a circular economy. Converting these wastes into valuable biodiesel reduces environmental pollution, diminishes reliance on food-based biofuels, and lowers production costs, potentially revolutionizing energy strategies worldwide.
The Road Ahead
For Mucorales-derived biodiesel to fully realise its potential, collaboration among research institutions, industries, and policymakers is essential. Strategic investments, supportive policies, and consumer awareness will be key in transitioning this promising biotechnology from laboratory research into a cornerstone of sustainable energy solutions.
Integrating Mucorales fungi into biodiesel production could significantly reshape the biofuels landscape, fostering sustainability, enhancing waste utilization, and ultimately contributing to global carbon reduction targets.
References
de Souza et al., 2025. The Microbe
Karp et al., 2021. Biofuels Journal
Bento et al., 2021. Fuel
Wang et al., 2022. Frontiers in Microbiology