Among wood-decomposing fungi, only white-rot fungi can degrade lignin, a persistent substance in the cell wall, and Lentinula edodes (shiitake) and Pleurotus ostreatus (hiratake) are members of this group. Most recently, it was discovered that some white-rot fungi can produce hydrogen aerobically, and the producing pathway was also estimated.
Hydrogen is attracting attention as a next-generation energy source because only water is released when hydrogen burns. However, the production method for hydrogen has not yet been established, and there is a need for an environmentally low-impact and low-cost production method.
To contribute to solving these problems, we are researching to identify the enzymes involved in hydrogen production in white-rot fungi and to elucidate the production mechanism, with the goal of creating the fungi to be put to practical use.
Hydrogen is attracting attention as a next-generation energy source because only water is released when hydrogen burns. However, the production method for hydrogen has not yet been established, and there is a need for an environmentally low-impact and low-cost production method.
To contribute to solving these problems, we are researching to identify the enzymes involved in hydrogen production in white-rot fungi and to elucidate the production mechanism, with the goal of creating the fungi to be put to practical use.