Figure 1. The mangrove forest on the Pacific coast of Colombia where the Hypoxylon isolate CO27 was obtained. Photo credit: Gary Strobel.

Figure 1. Isolate CO27 growing on corn stover while producing volatile organic compounds. Photo credit: Gary Strobel.

The endophytic fungus CO27 was recovered from one of the common mangroves - the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) - growing near a freshwater stream entering the Pacific Ocean in the mid-region of Colombia (Fig. 1). The plants were growing on private land and signed permission was obtained to collect in this area. When isolated, the organism had the typical characteristics of a Hypoxylon sp. in that only the imperfect stage was noted as Nodulosporium sp. Molecular genetics data (18S rDNA) confirmed that the organism was Hypoxylon sp. at the 99% level. The organism grew well on PDA and interestingly enough it was one of only a few organisms in this group of Hypoxylon sp. that grew very well on corn stover and eucalyptus as the sole carbon source - potential cellulosic biomass for biofuels production (Fig.2). Analysis of the volatile organic compounds of this organism growing in PDA culture revealed the presence of the major substances as being 1,8-cineole and isoamyl alcohol and β-selinene. Each of these volatiles has potential as a liquid transportation fuel