Bioluminescence In Fungi

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by scientists as a bioindicator for Tuberculosis as well as heavy
metals. On going research involving bioluminescence is currently underway in
the areas of evolution, ecology, histology, physiology, biochemistry, and
biomedical applications.

History of Bioluminescent Fungi
The light of luminous wood was first noted in the early writings of
Aristotle which occurred in 382 B.C.(Johnson and Yata 1966 and Newton 1952) The
next mention of luminous wood in the literature occurred in 1667 by Robert
Boyle who noticed glowing earth and noted that heat was absent from the light.
Many early scientists such as Conrad Gesner, Francis Bacon, and Thomas Bartolin
all observed and made notation of luminous earth(Johnson and Yata 1966 and
Newton 1952 ). These early observers thought that the light was due to small
insects or animal interactions. The first mention that the light of luminous
wood was due to fungi occurred from a study of luminous timbers used as supports
in mines by Bishoff ...

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can be
described as a chemiluminescent reaction which involves a direct conversion of
chemical energy transformed to light energy( Burr 1985, Patel 1997 and
Herring1978). The reaction involves the following elements:

- Enzymes (Luciferase) - biological catalysts that accelerate and control the
rate of chemical reactions in cells. - Photons - packs of light energy. - ATP -
adenosine triphosphate, the energy storing molecule of all living organisms. -
Substrate (Luciferin) - a specific molecule that undergoes a chemical charge
when affixed by an enzyme. - Oxygen - as a catalyst

A simplified formula of the bioluminescent reaction:

ATP(energy) + Luciferin (substrate)+ Luciferase(enzyme) ...

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