News Excerpt:

Goa University researchers claim a breakthrough in producing gold nanoparticles from Termitomyces species, which grows on termite hills.

About the Species:

• Mushrooms of the Termitomyces species, which grow on termite hills and are locally known as ‘roen olmi’, are edible wild mushrooms popular among Goans and consumed during the monsoons.

• This species of mushroom has been cultured in a pure three-dimensional pelletised form and successfully used to produce gold nanoparticles.
• These mushrooms form a mutualistic association with termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae.

Uses of the mushroom species: 

• All Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties. 
• Termitomyces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa. 
• Their bioactive compounds have the potential to fight against certain human diseases such as cancer, hyperlipidaemia, gastroduodenal diseases, and Alzheimer’s. 
• Termitomyces possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and different enzymes produced from Termitomyces have the potential to be used in a range of industrial applications also.

Impact of the research:

• The project goes beyond scientific innovation, proposing a unique local and global benefits model. 
• This method heralded as the first of its kind globally, offers a sustainable and non-toxic alternative to the chemical processes currently dominating the industry. 
• Researchers have outlined a roadmap that involves local startups in the nanoparticle production process under a revenue and profit-sharing model with the Goa government and local communities. 
• The conservation of the termitomyces species, some of which face extinction due to overexploitation, is also a key consideration of this project.

Significance of this research:

• Vast economic and bio-industrial implications for Goa, tapping into the untapped potential of Goa's biodiversity and also benefits by sustainable use of this local mushroom species.
• With advancements in biomedical and biotechnological sciences, the demand for gold nanoparticles in various applications, such as targeted drug delivery, medical imaging and electronics manufacturing, is projected to skyrocket.
• This breakthrough pioneers the use of an eco-friendly species for mass production of gold nanoparticles, while other countries are using very toxic chemical agents for production.
• Gold nanoparticles are potentially lucrative in the global market. 
• In February 2016, a single milligram of gold nanoparticles cost around $80, which equates to $80,000 per gram.
• The research is significant in its applications in the industrial and medical sectors.

Conclusion:

This discovery of gold nanoparticles from mushrooms not only positions India on the map of significant contributors to the global gold nanoparticle industry but also emphasizes the importance of leveraging local biodiversity for technological advancements. As the world moves towards greener alternatives, this indigenous method stands as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.