POSTMODERN ALCHEMY

Goa mushrooms to turn into gold? New study discovers eco-friendly way of gold nanoparticles production

They also presented a draft roadmap for the Goa government, highlighting the vast economic and bioindustrial implications of this breakthrough for Goa.

Written by Annu Mandal

February 28, 2024 

The two researchers studied mushrooms of the Termitomyces species, also known as ‘roen olmi’ to produce gold nanoparticles. (Representative image)

Goan researchers have found out the sources of gold nanoparticles synthesised from a wild species of mushroom, popularly consumed by locals of the region, an Indian Express report said on Wednesday. The two researchers studied mushrooms of the Termitomyces species, also known as ‘roen olmi’ to produce gold nanoparticles.

The study reveals the successful cultivation of a specific mushroom species into a pure three-dimensional pelletized form, used for the production of gold nanoparticles. Titled ‘Biosynthesis and characterisation of AuNPs produced using Termitomyces heimii Pellets,’ the research was recently published in the Geomicrobiology Journal by Taylor and Francis.

On Tuesday, researchers Dr Sujata Dabolkar and Dr Nandkumar Kamat presented their findings to Aleixo Sequeira, Goa’s Environment Minister and chairman of the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB). They also presented a draft roadmap for the Goa government, highlighting the vast economic and bioindustrial implications of this breakthrough for Goa.

Dr. Kamat, who has been studying this mushroom variety for over three decades, emphasized that Goa possesses the largest species diversity and gene pool of the wild edible Termitomyces mushrooms. He stated, “For the first time, this species of mushroom has been brought in pure culture, grown as pellets, and used to produce gold nanoparticles. The breakthrough pioneers the use of an eco-friendly species for mass production of gold nanoparticles.”

Gold nanoparticles hold significant potential in global markets. Dr. Dabolkar noted, “In February 2016, a single milligram of gold nanoparticles cost around $80, which equates to $80,000 dollars per gram.”

The researchers emphasised the importance of conserving and responsibly utilizing these resources, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol, to benefit both industries and local communities.