TERMITOMYCES SPECIES

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.phakhaolao.la/en/kb/0000081

Context: Researchers in Goa have successfully produced gold nanoparticles using a common edible mushroom called Termitomyces heimii, also known as "roen olmi", demonstrating the potential of natural resources for advanced applications in nanotechnology.

Key Highlights

• Mushroom Species and Cultivation: The Termitomyces species of mushrooms, which grow on termite hills, are popularly consumed in Goa. The researchers have successfully cultured this species in a pure three-dimensional pelletized form.
• Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis: The cultured mushrooms have been used to produce gold nanoparticles. The process involves utilizing the Termitomyces heimii species in its pelletized form to synthesize the nanoparticles.
• Economic and Bioindustrial Implications: The researchers claim that this breakthrough has significant economic and bioindustrial implications for Goa. The synthesized gold nanoparticles could find applications in various fields such as targeted drug delivery, medical imaging, and electronics manufacturing.
• Advantages of Eco-Friendly Synthesis: The researchers emphasize the eco-friendly nature of the synthesis process, as opposed to methods that use toxic chemical agents in other countries. The use of an edible and locally abundant mushroom species for gold nanoparticle production is highlighted.
• Potential Market Value: Gold nanoparticles are in demand for various applications in biomedical and biotechnological sciences. The researchers note that the global market for gold nanoparticles, used in areas such as medical imaging and electronics, is projected to grow substantially.
• Conservation and Benefit Sharing: The researchers emphasize the need to conserve the wealth of the country, referring to the biodiversity of the Termitomyces mushrooms in Goa. They suggest judicious use of these resources for industrial applications while sharing benefits with the local community, in line with the Nagoya Protocol.
• Applications in Medicine and Industry: The nanoparticles could have applications in drug delivery, with drugs placed on the nanoparticles for effective delivery into the body. Gold nanoparticles are seen as potentially lucrative in the global market.