Which Fungus is Known as the Gold Eating Fungus?

Gold has always been valued for its rarity and economic importance, but nature holds some surprising secrets about how the precious metal behaves. Microbiologists have identified a unique one particular fungus that has the capability to interact with gold particles and developed a taste for the gold called the gold-eating fungus, this organism doesn't just survive in gold-rich environments it thrives by literally "plating" itself in the metal

This new discovery has attracted global attention for its potential in sustainable Bioming and environmental innovation which is offering a new, eco-friendly approach to extracting valuable metals.

Which Fungus is Known as the Gold-Eating Fungus?

The fungus known as the gold-eating fungus is a specific strain of Fusarium oxysporum. Fusarium oxysporum is a common soil fungus found worldwide often known as the cause of plant wilt. 

This particular "gold-loving" or ‘’Gold eating’’ , a specific strain of the fungus Fusarium Oxysporum that has evolved to "eat"  is found in Western Australia. 

This fungus collects gold from its environment, coating itself in golden nanoparticles through a unique chemical process, making it a standout anomaly in the fungal kingdom.

What is the Gold-Eating Fungus?

The gold-eating fungus is a specialized decomposer in the harsh mineral-rich soils of Australia. Fusarium oxysporum fungus has adapted to interact with gold particles. It is a "biogeochemical" agent. Here are the its key characteristics:

• Fusarium oxysporum fungus often appears as a pinkish mold.

• It seeks out gold in the soil and precipitates it onto its strand-like structures like hyphae.

• Fungi that "collect" gold grow faster and larger than those that do not, suggesting the metal provides a biological benefit, likely by helping with nutrient uptake or energy transfer.

Source: earth.com

Scientific Name of Fusarium oxysporum and Its Discovery

The fungus was discovered by Australia’s national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in 2019. Lead researcher Dr. Tsing Bohu and his team found that while gold is chemically "inert" (it doesn't react easily with other elements).

How Does the Gold-Eating Fungus Absorb Gold?

The Gold "eating" process is less about digestion and more about extracellular mineralization. Here is the Fusarium oxysporum performs its golden alchemy:

1. Oxidation: Fusarium oxysporum produces a highly reactive molecule called hydrogen peroxide. This causes the gold in the surrounding soil to oxidize and released chemicals react with tiny invisible particles of gold in the soil.

2. Solubilization: These reactions turn the solid gold into a dissolved state.

3. Precipitation: The fungus then triggers a secondary reaction that turns the dissolved gold back into solid metal.

4. Attachment: The resulting gold nanoparticles stick to the fungus's hyphae, the thread-like branches of the mold.

5.  At the end of the process, the fungus is effectively "gold-plated," appearing studded with microscopic jewels.

Uses of Gold-Eating Fungus in Mining and Biomining

The discovery of Fusarium oxysporum’s golden habits has both biological curiosity and its implications for the biomining process.

Sustainable Extraction (Biomining)

Traditional gold mining often involves toxic chemicals like cyanide or mercury to separate gold from rock. Using fungi offers a green and sustainable alternative where biological organisms do the heavy lifting of concentrating the metal.

Exploring New Deposits

Geologists can use the fungus to "sniff out" buried gold deposits that are too deep to be seen with traditional surveys, saving millions in exploration costs because fungus can thrive where gold is present. 

Space Biomining

The gold-eating fungus, Fusarium oxysporum can be used for extraterrestrial biomining on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids because of the lightweight and self-replicating quality of the fungus. This fungus could be used to extract precious metals from space soil.

Waste Recovery

The fungus could potentially be used to recover gold from electronic waste (e-waste) or low-yield mining tailings that are currently considered too expensive or difficult to process.

The gold-eating fungus Fusarium oxysporum proves that nature is the ultimate alchemist by turning toxic soil into a gilded habitat which shows mining could be cleaner, smarter, and driven by the power of microbiology. 

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