Fungi Biomineralization- Control Over Crystal Morphology

The phenomena of Biomineralization in fungi was previously studied mainly from the aspect of soil bioremediation. In this research we investigate the precipitates, and the various influences the fungi have on them. The goal in the project is to map the phenomena from material science point of view. The fungi grown in a standard solution containing the needed food and nutrients. 5 species of fungi were grown, macro fungi (cup mushrooms) and micro fungi. Soluble salts of different metals were added to the solutions separately (Pb(ii)ac₂, ZnCl₂, CaCl₂, AlCl₃, MgCl₂, BaCl₂ and SrCl₂). Each fungi was grown with each metal at two concentrations. The formatted minerals were characterized by HRSEM, EDS, synchrotron radiation XRD and SAED. The results show distinct influence of the fungi over the crystals. In some systems we observed a different in morphology. Other systems promote the formation of different minerals. Fungi control over morphology and orientation might offer us novel ways to synthesize desired crystals. Mimicking the cell wall of the fungi to the molecular level may give us template that control over the precipitates.