Magnesium biomineralization and glushinskite synthesis in fungi: possible impact on niche exclusion, role in fungi mediated detoxification and future applications.

Fungal-mediated biomineralization of magnesium represents a complex biogeochemical interface where metabolic activity drives the transformation of geological substrates into functional crystalline structures. This paper investigates the synthesis pathway of glushinskite (MgC₂O₄·2H₂O), a magnesium oxalate dihydrate formed through a two-phase process of bio acid mediated solubilization and subsequent nucleation on fungal hyphae. By analysing diverse species, scientists could establish how fungal biology governs crystal morphology (for example, spindle, coffin, and needle-like habits) and spatial stratification. The review also discusses the possible roles of glushinskite in niche exclusion, where the rapid precipitation of minerals alters the local microenvironment to favour fungal dominance and flourishment, and detoxification, where fungi mitigate magnesium toxicity or co-precipitate heavy metals. Furthermore, we discuss the transition from biogenic minerals to green nanotechnology, demonstrating how the thermal decomposition of glushinskite serves as a template for producing porous, high surface area MgO nanoparticles. This perspective emphasizes the potential of fungal biomineralization in addressing contemporary challenges in bioremediation, carbon sequestration, and sustainable nanomaterial synthesis.

© 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.