Yellowstone fungus could unlock new biofuels potential

After finding a potential feedstock in Yellowstone National Park a new biofuels start-up is gathering pace in Montana, US.

New company Sustainable Bioproducts, funded by a Small Business Innovation and Research grant from the National Science Foundation, will partner with Montana State University to turn a fungus discovered at Yellowstone into sustainable energy.

The fungus, named MK7, thrives in hot temperatures and eats algae. When dry it produces oil and its lipid byproducts are reportedly high in usable enzymes.

‘The most important part of our research now is to test the technology further and investigate the feasibility of using this organism to produce biofuels and other products,’ says Sustainable Bioproducts’ founder Mark Kozubal.

Kozubal and his team will use facilities at the university and has received an initial $150,000 (€112,300) from the grant to conduct further research.