[1][2] C. echinulata is a common air contaminant,[3] and is currently of interest to the biotechnology industry due to its ability to synthesize γ-linolenic acid[4] as well as its capacity to bioconcentrate metals.

[9] Cunninghamella echinulata reproduces asexually and solely via yellow-brown, spiny, single-spored sporangioles that, due to the nature of the sporangiospore being retained within the sporangium, appear to have a two-layered outer wall.

[6][12] This is a common feature of members if the Mucoromycota where the hyphal compartments are either fully divided by septa or are completely continuous (coenocytic) and multinucleate.

[13] Cunninghamella echinulata and other species of Cunninghamellaceae can be selectively grown on Czapek's solution agar,[7] a property unique to this family of the Mucorales.

[2] Additionally, if grown in liquid, cultures of this fungus can be externally stimulated to increase oxygen consumption by adding 2% montmorillonite or kaolinite.

[2] When grown on medium containing hydrolysed tomato residue, this fungus utilizes glucose to synthesize triacylglycerols (TAG) rich in GLA.

Cunninghamella echinulata is able to grow on orange rind and assimilate carbohydrates into necessary biomolecules,[15] where the fermented peel does not exhibit appreciable discolouration or odour.

[2] The fungus possesses a p450 cytochrome system similar to that in humans, making it a potentially useful model for the study liver-mediated drug metabolism.

[14] At increased pH, C. echinulata shows preferential production of S-HMM over R-HMM, the two stereoisomers, specifically enantiomers, of HMM.

[14] In order to achieve the highest quantity of GLA, Cunninghamella echinulata grows preferentially on nitrogen-depleted media with a C/N (carbon:nitrogen) molar ratio of 169.

[15] The species has been reported to exhibit antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhus,[2] common agents of skin infections and food poisoning respectively.

[13] Cunninghamella echinulata is a saprotrophic resident of the soils in warmer regions of the world, particularly those enriched with NPK fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium).

[6] Cunninghamella echinulata, like other members of the genus, exhibit strong resistance to the antifungal polyene, amphotericin B with a MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) ranging from 4-16μg/mL that varies according to strain.

[6] The antifungal agent terbinafine, typically restricted to the treatment of nail and skin infections, shows a relatively low MIC ranging from 0.06 to 0.125 μg/mL.