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It can be used to make fuel -

Ethanol fuel is the most common ingredient in gasoline that powers cars. Traditionally it was derived from corn, and now it’s being produced with fungi.

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Millet and sorghum mushrooms -

A study in 2017 published in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels concluded that crushed remains of millet and sorghum mushrooms could be recycled and turned into fuel.

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Helping plants drink -

Fungi are used to improve crops. A species of fungi called mycorrhizae is introduced, which attaches to a plant's roots and improves its ability to take up water and nutrients.

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Helping plants resist disease -

Mycorrhizae can also help plants resist disease.

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Helping plants withstand drought -

Mycorrhizae are expected to become very relevant as climates change because they allow plants to withstand periods of drought.

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Treating skin diseases -

Certain species of fungi are beneficial to the skin. They help reduce skin conditions like acne, redness, and eczema.

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Antibiotics -

It is well known that the world of medicine relies on certain types of fungi. Penicillin, one of the most common antibiotics, is derived from Penicillium.

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Skin ailments -

However, skin ailments are often overlooked when it comes to treatment with fungi. Pleuromutilin is the basis for an approved antibiotic treatment for impetigo.

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Possible cancer treatment -

Turkey tail is a form of mushroom that is used to treat lung disease in Chinese medicine. In Japan, it’s used to boost the immune system alongside conventional treatment for cancer patients.

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Vegan leather -

The jig is up in the fashion industry with regards to leather. Luckily, many companies in the animal-cruelty-free fashion industry have begun using fungi to produce vegan leather.

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Mycelium used to grow a network of fibers -

A company called Bolt Threads uses mycelium, or rather the tissue of the mushroom, to grow networks of strong fibers. They weave to create a similar substance to real leather.

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It lasts longer than normal leather -

Moreover, leather doesn’t last forever. Well, neither does vegan leather made from fungi products, but it doesn’t decay as fast!

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It reduces the need for heavy chemicals to color the leather -

It also doesn’t require as many chemical-heavy tanning processes to color it and make it soft and supple.

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Slowing hair loss -

There’s evidence to suggest that specific kinds of fungi can be used to slow hair loss.

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Reishi affects dihydrotestosterone -

In 2005, a study proved that reishi, a polypore fungus, affects the hormone dihydrotestosterone and other hormones responsible for hair loss.

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Scalp health and hair growth -

The study also suggested that the fungus improved the scalp’s health, which increases the level of hair growth.

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Building blocks -

Fungi are being used to make many different physical structures, too, like building blocks. A company called MycoWorks produces furniture and blocks

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Brick by brick -

Why? Because it can be grown very quickly and cheaply, and it also produces zero carbon emissions.

The blocks are inexpensive, and the threadlike vegetative part of the fungi is processed with adhesive.

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The bottom line -

They are not as strong as concrete bricks, but they are durable enough to build in many climates.

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If wood works... -

But then again, wood is also not safe to build within regions of the world that experience extreme weather conditions.

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All kinds of products -

Another company called Ecovative Design makes wall tiles, particleboard, a styrofoam substitute, and biodegradable packaging.

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Mycelium as a bonding agent -

The company also uses mycelium as a bonding agent to hold together wood particles for paneling and durable, flame-retardant, and lightweight packaging.

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Threading slowly -

Although the future looks bright in the construction industry for fungi-based products because of the need to lower carbon emissions, it’s likely to be slow.

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Replacing polystyrene -

Another bioengineer and entrepreneur looking to make a positive difference on the climate is Eben Bayer, whose mission is to replace polystyrene with mushrooms.

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Eben Bayer's goal -

Combining agricultural waste with fungus, he wants to create packaging that’s cheap, durable, and biodegradable.

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Polystyrene makes up a lot of landfill space -

Around 30% of landfill space in the US is made up of polystyrene, over 170 years after Eduard Simon first produced it.

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Solutions to climate change are paramount -

The world is looking for new answers to the climate crisis, and the many uses of fungi fit into this.

Sources: (National Geographic) (Inverse) (Biotechnology for Biofuels) (Wired)(Journal of Ethnopharmacology)

See also: The health benefits of non-GMO

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