Washington State University researchers have found a way to make jet fuel from a common black fungus found in decaying leaves, soil and rotting fruit, which could be a massive breakthrough for future green energy and transportation development.

The researchers used Aspergillus carbonarius ITEM 5010 to create hydrocarbons, the chief component of petroleum, similar to those in aviation fuels. Led by Birgitte Ahring, director and Battelle distinguished professor of the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory at WSU Tri-cities, the researchers hope the process leads to economically viable production of aviation biofuels in the next five years.

Fungi are complex microorganisms and are not always easy to work with, Ahring said. They have a complex biology that is often poorly understood. "Not many people in this world actually do this,'' she said. "The molecular biology piece of it is complicated.''

Using fungi for hydrocarbon and biofuels production is better than other methods because they do the work themselves, bypassing multiple complicated chemical processes required by other biofuel production methods. Fungi also have great potential to create the fuel at low cost, Ahring said.