Fatty acid secretion by the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor

Fungi can acquire and store nutrients through decomposing and converting organic matter into fatty acids. This research demonstrates for the first time that the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor has the ability to secrete extracellular droplets which can contain a high concentration of long-chain fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids as well as monosaccharides and polysaccharides. The concentration and composition of the fatty acids varied according to the age of the droplet and the feedstock used for growth of the fungi. The results raise the possibility that these droplets could be harvested offering a new approach for the microbial generation of oil from waste.

Automated summary

This research demonstrates for the first time that the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor can secrete extracellular droplets containing high concentrations of fatty acids and sugars. The composition and concentration of the droplets varied according to the droplet's age and the feedstock used for fungal growth. These findings suggest a new approach for microbial oil generation from waste.