Biological Superabsorbents from fungi cell wall

Zygomycetes are a class of saprophytic fungi, which can grow on different waste materials. We are working on this class since 1999, and have several publications. They can grow in harsch conditions and produce several metabolites such as ethanol and lactic acid, or different enzymes. However, their cell mass has about 20% cell wall, which compose mainly of chitosan. Our PhD student Akram Zamani worked for several years on these fungi, in order to characterize their cell wall and produce superabsorbents from them. She defend her thesis soon. Let's wish her a good success during the defense and afterward in her life!


(The cover of her thesis, which shows the steps from fungi to superabsorbents)