International study shows how biology can interact with precious metals in surprising ways. For decades, research has been conducted on natural mechanisms for tracking or extracting minerals without the use of aggressive methods. A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications showed that a common fungus can transform minerals into gold particles visible under a microscope. Ideam. The sky falls on Colombia: red alert due to storms, hail and hurricane-force winds in these 15 municipalities opens in a new tab Cancellations. The US puts Nicolás Maduro in a crisis situation: here are eight airlines that have suspended their flights to Venezuela opens in a new tab
The team led by Qing Bohu of the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) worked with Fusarium oxysporum, a microorganism found in soils around the world. This fungus, so common that it is generally considered an agricultural pest, has demonstrated an extraordinary ability: to oxidise minerals and concentrate tiny particles of gold on its surface.
The “golden fungus” that turns metal particles into gold
Fusarium oxysporum — a fungus widely distributed in soils around the world, known both for its widespread presence and its ability to act as a pathogen in various agricultural crops. In a recent discovery, a specific isolate of this fungus was subjected to laboratory conditions and demonstrated something unexpected: it is capable of oxidising gold compounds and then precipitating them in the form of metallic particles on its surface, which was observed with an electron microscope. This transformation makes it a key player in the biogeochemical cycle of gold.
The key lies in metabolic extraction
This phenomenon is explained by what is known as metabolic extraction, a process in which living organisms act as natural chemical mediators, altering metals without the use of heavy equipment or toxic chemicals. In this case, the fungus produces superoxide radicals and ligands that allow colloidal gold to dissolve and then precipitate in the form of nanoparticles. Scientists have also found that in environments with a wide variety of fungi, the concentration of available gold is also higher. This indicates that these microorganisms not only interact with the metal but also directly influence its distribution in nature.
A common resource in the future?
Fusarium oxysporum is not uncommon, but one of the most common fungi on the planet, present in agricultural and natural soils. Its ability to transform gold makes it a potential resource for metal extraction technologies and the exploration of hidden deposits. Although it is not yet possible to “grow gold” in a domestic pot, this discovery paves the way for new forms of sustainable mineral extraction. Methods inspired by this fungus could reduce the environmental impact of industry and facilitate the search for valuable resources in a cleaner and more efficient way.
