Use of Aureobasidium in a sustainable economy

Abstract

Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble. A total of 32 species of this fungal genus have been identified at the level of DNA, of which Aureobasidium pullulans is best known. Aureobasidium is of interest for a sustainable economy because it can be used to produce a wide variety of compounds, including enzymes, polysaccharides, and biosurfactants. Moreover, it can be used to promote plant growth and protect wood and crops. To this end, Aureobasidium cells adhere to wood or plants by producing extracellular polysaccharides, thereby forming a biofilm. This biofilm provides a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings and toxic chemicals. This and the fact that Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential of self-repair make them a potential engineered living material avant la lettre. Key points •Aureobasidium produces products of interest to the industry •Aureobasidium can stimulate plant growth and protect crops •Biofinish of A. pullulans is a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings •Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential to function as engineered living materials

Bioinspired Living Coating System for Wood Protection: Exploring Fungal Species on Wood Surfaces Coated with Biofinish during Its Service Life

“…The idea is inspired by a natural phenomenon where microorganisms, particularly Aureobasidium pullulans (A. pullulans), a polyextremophilic, black, yeast-like fungus, naturally form a protective biofilm on surfaces such as wood or other building materials. A. pullulans can colonise the surface of wood and produce various types of extracellular enzymes including laccase, cellulase, amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, and xylanase [1][2][3]. These enzymes have the potential to degrade the chemical components of wood such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives [4].…”