Role of ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi in meeting established and emerging sustainability opportunities: a review

Abstract

Fungal biomass is the future’s feedstock. Non-septate Ascomycetes and septate Basidiomycetes, famously known as mushrooms, are sources of fungal biomass. Fungal biomass, which on averagely comprises about 34% protein and 45% carbohydrate, can be cultivated in bioreactors to produce affordable, safe, nontoxic, and consistent biomass quality. Fungal-based technologies are seen as attractive, safer alternatives, either substituting or complementing the existing standard technology. Water and wastewater treatment, food and feed, green technology, innovative designs in buildings, enzyme technology, potential health benefits, and wealth production are the key sectors that successfully reported high-efficiency performances of fungal applications. This paper reviews the latest technical know-how, methods, and performance of fungal adaptation in those sectors. Excellent performance was reported indicating high potential for fungi utilization, particularly in the sectors, yet to be utilized and improved on the existing fungal-based applications. The expansion of fungal biomass in the industrial-scale application for the sustainability of earth and human well-being is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Water Quality Assessment and Decolourisation of Contaminated Ex-Mining Lake Water Using Bioreactor Dye-Eating Fungus (BioDeF) System: A Real Case Study

“…Because of the rich properties of low levels of fats, salt, cholesterol, and calories, fungal biomasses have become a rich source of bioactive compounds that are suitable as ingredients for animal feed. Furthermore, producing edible fungal biomasses may be a more environmentally beneficial process when compared to other protein products of both animal and plant origins, leading to fewer adverse effects on the ecosystem [ 20 ]. Different species of fungal cultures may have different nutritional and bioactive compounds; thus, further investigation of the properties of fungus species is essential.…”

“…Fungi have a unique enzyme that can convert harmful pollutants into less harmful and less toxic by-products through the biodegradation or biotransformation mechanism [ 19 ], thus minimizing the discharge of toxic materials into the environment. Fungi also may act as a biosorbent, as their mycelial pellets offer ‘sponge-like’ properties, making fungi an appealing technology to explore by researchers [ 20 ]. Promising mycoremediation technology provides low costs, energy savings, and highly efficient environmental pollutant removal, and it is envisaged that the combination of fungal interactions will perform better than microbial bioreactors [ 13 ].…”

Cultivation Strategies of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as a Future Approach in Malaysian Agriculture Industry

“…Thus, more research should be conducted on the horticultural aspects of this plant, especially the cultivation strategies. The goal of horticulture is to optimize plant growth and yield, waste utilization, and fungal-plant stimulants; improve plant quality; and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of cultivated plants [13][14][15]. This review suggests a cheaper, safer, and faster method of kenaf production via in vitro propagation and compares the cultivation techniques of solid medium culture and liquid medium culture.…”

Probiotic growth-stimulating capacity and antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of Lentinus crinitus (L.) Fr (polyporales, basidiomycota)

“…The application of these biotechnological tools is an alternative to obtain different bioproducts from residual biomass and provide innovative solutions in health, food, soil and water contamination, biological control, among other applications [ 40 ]. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the capacity growth stimulation of Lactobacillus paracasei and antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts of L. crinitus obtained from wild basidiomata, mycelial biomass by liquid fermentation and spent mushroom substrate obtained by solid state fermentation.…”